Czarny Dunajec
A central memorial bearing 494 names, two memorials on mass graves and a lapidarium. During the pandemic, in a small circle, all 494 names were read aloud, line by line.
What we did together
With the support of donors, three memorials were created: a central memorial bearing the 494 names of the victims and two memorials on mass graves (white matzevot). Four mass graves were located and protected. Matzevot found outside the cemetery were restored.
Where the ruins of the pre-burial house were discovered, a lapidarium with a menorah of remembrance was created. The cemetery was fenced together with the Nissenbaum Family Foundation, sandstone paths were laid, and surveillance and lighting were installed.
The reading of 494 names
Because of the pandemic it was not possible to hold a ceremony with the descendants. Observing the sanitary restrictions, a small group read out the names of all 494 victims, line by line: for “them”, for memory, for people, not numbers.
The synagogue
Czarny Dunajec still has the building of its former synagogue, which the foundation calls the last synagogue of Podhale. In 2020 a delegation from the Regional Office for the Protection of Monuments visited the building, and the foundation began talks with the Jewish Religious Community in Kraków about saving it.
Michał Szaflarski led the first walk in the footsteps of the Jews of Czarny Dunajec. In his stories, the street in front of the synagogue once again heard the voice of the cantor.
Guardians of memory
- The project team in Czarny Dunajec
Anna Staszel, Michał Szaflarski, Wojtek Glowacz, Karolina Głowacz, Jagna Bukowska-Ziółko, Rut Kurkiewicz-Grocholska, Szymon Grocholski, Ida Grocholska, Małgorzata Głowacz, Grzegorz Głowacz, Karolina Panz, Wojciech Panz, Marta Mazik, Ania Hornowska, Wojtek Szumowski, Przemek Jaskierski.
- Ewa Garbacz
Works with Dr Karolina Panz and co-organises events commemorating the town’s former Jewish neighbours. She helps descendants and guides visiting Nowy Targ get in touch.
Timeline
From the pre-war community to the present day.
The Jewish community of Czarny Dunajec
The first Jews appeared here in the first half of the 17th century. Before the Second World War the community numbered about 300 people; it prayed in the brick synagogue near the market square, which still stands today.
The Holocaust
494 Jewish residents were murdered. Their names are inscribed on the memorial today.
Work begins at the cemetery
The first historical walk
Michał Szaflarski leads a walk through the streets of Czarny Dunajec.
The reading of 494 names
Efforts to save the synagogue
A walk through the site
3 pointsapprox. 1,7 km on foot62 min including stops
Market Square
The centre of Czarny Dunajec. In July 2020 Michał Szaflarski led the first walk in the footsteps of the Jews of Czarny Dunajec. In his stories, Jewish neighbours lived on these streets once again.
fot. Kamil Czainski, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons Former synagogue
The foundation calls the building at ul. Henryka Sienkiewicza 10 the last synagogue of Podhale and is working to save it. It was here, in front of the synagogue, during a walk in 2020, that a witness spoke of a crime that no one had described before.
fot. Kamil Czainski, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons Jewish cemetery, the memorial with 494 names and the lapidarium
A central memorial bearing 494 names and two white matzevot on mass graves. The foundation located and protected four mass graves here. A lapidarium with a menorah of remembrance stands on the ruins of the pre-burial house, and the paths are laid with sandstone.
Blog fundacji: Wiosna w Czarnym Dunajcu
Gallery
A walk of remembrance
The boards from the memorial sites in full.
Panel of LifeCzarny Dunajec
Żydzi z Czarnego Dunajca i okolic przed Zagładą
Panel of the HolocaustCzarny Dunajec
Zagłada żydowskich mieszkańców Czarnego Dunajca i okolicznych wsi
Panel of HorrorCzarny Dunajec
Zbiorowe groby
Panel of KnowledgeCzarny Dunajec
„Ludzie, nie liczby”: Czarny Dunajec
List of names
The 494 names are inscribed on the memorial.
Biographies
The stories of individual people and families, researched by the foundation and published on its blog (in Polish).
Szlomo HorowitzFrom Ms Kristina Horowitz Krakus we received a photograph of her uncle, the youngest brother of her father Chaim: a young soldier in the uniform of the Polish Army.
The Horowitz familyIt turns out that Jews in Czarny Dunajec also wore highland dress. This remarkable photograph was sent to us by Ms Kristina Horowitz Krakus.
Listen
Narrated recordings for this place are in preparation. Each will have subtitles and a full transcript.
Guide to the site
A single A4 sheet to print: a short history, the address and coordinates, a QR code for navigation, guidance on conduct at the cemetery and the foundation’s contact details.