In 2012, we met Maria Polak and she told us for the first time the shocking history of this place.
The house at today’s Rutki Laskier 24 (then Przeczna) was built by Józef and Marianna Poles in 1932. And this family still, until July 11, 2024, owned the place.
On July 11, 2024, after several years of efforts, our foundation purchased the property.
This place will be saved as a witness to history, as a monument and as a new institution telling the story of Będzin Ghetto Fighters Memorial and its builders.
We would like to thank the descendants of Marianna and Józef Poles – Mrs. Anna Cieplok, Mr. Stanisław Cieplok and their children – Justyna and Jacek. We would like to thank you for the many warm words from Czesław Polak’s sons – Jacek and Marek – counting on cooperation and listening to their stories.
All this would NOT have happened if it weren’t for our wonderful friend from Israel, continuator of the best traditions of pre-war Dror – Uri Meiselman. Who is always with us, and we with him, and who organized the money for the purchase of real estate.
We would like to thank all donors:
-Joel Lagerlov
-AFI Europe – international investor and developer operating in Central and Eastern Europe
-Bezeq Company
-Check Point Company
-Avihu Ronen, Cvi Ronen, Arnon Ronen
and others who find places in our hearts, in our new home, and whose names will be commemorated with the greatest dignity.
We would like to thank our lawyer Andrzej Mochnacki – you know why!
The house belongs to the foundation members: Karolina Jakoweńko, Piotr Jakoweńko, Andrzej Ciepał, Grzegorz Onyszko, Aleksandra Namysło, Dariusz Walerjański and Uri Meiselman
And also all those who want to work with us on history and the present and help us build narratives and relationships.