Latest News

Sigmund Rolat Made Honorary Citizen of Częstochowa
     26th January 2012

 

Our World Society President, Sigmund Rolat, has been made an Honorary Citizen of Częstochowa by unanimous vote of the Częstochowa City Council.   The motion to honour Sigmund, sponsored by Councillor Jerzy Zając, was in recognition of his achievements. These included the formation of our World Society, promotion of the city and of its Jewish history around the world, his support of culture for the city's young people and for establishing monuments to victims of the Holocaust in Częstochowa - in particular, the monuments at the Umschlagplatz and at the Hasag Pelcery slave labour camp.   In moving the motion Cr.Zając also cited Sigmund's other activities outside Częstochowa including his Chairmanship of the North American Council in support of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews and for his work in building bridges between Poles and Jews.   The World Society thanks the Częstochowa City Council for honouring our President in this way - we all believe that this honour is well-deserved!   Click HERE to read more and to view how local Częstochowa TV station Telewizja Orion reported the honour.

Israeli Association Elects New Chairman
     11th January 2012

 

The Executive Committee of the Association of Częstochowa District Jews in Israel has elected Alon Goldman as its new Chairman.   A descendant of Częstochowa from both sides of his family, Alon, has been an actively involved member of the Israeli Association's Executive Committee for the past seven years.   His paternal grandparents were Jakob and Felicia Chana Fejgla (nee Karmiol) Goldman, who lived at ul.Fabriczna 22. His maternal grandparents were Jakob (Jankiel) and Tova (Gitla nee Razinski) Czarnylas, who lived at ul.Katedralna 4/8. Sadly, all perished in 1942.   His parents, Jerzy and Sarna (nee Czarnylas) Goldman z"l survived the Holocaust and, after the War, built their lives in Israel.   Alon, 58, was born in Israel and lives in Tel Aviv with his wife Dorit and three daughters - Tal (24), Dana (20) and Noa (12). He earned an Economics degree from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a Master's degree in Administration Management from Tel Aviv University. Today, he holds a senior management position in Bank Leumi.   The President, Executive Committee and all members of our World Society look forward to many years of working together with you and your Association to achieve our common goals. "Mazel Tov!"

Israeli Landsleit Hold Commemoration Ceremony
     24th December 2011

 

More than 100 Holocaust survivors, their families, and "next generations" participated in a ceremony commemorating the 69th anniversary of the liquidation of the Częstochowa Ghetto.   The event, conducted by the Association of Częstochowa District Jews in Israel in conjunction with Yad Vashem, was held at Beit Wohlin in Givatayim, Tel Aviv.   A Prayer Ceremony was conducted by well-known Cantor Jonatan Haynowic and was followed by Kaddish, recited by Holocaust surviver, Reuven Monovitz.   The first part of the evening was dedicated to the former Chairman of the Association of Częstochowa District Jews in Israel Arie Edelist, who passed away in August 2011. The tribute was give by Haia Etzioni, a Second-Generation Częstochower.   Naama Galil, head of Yad Vashem's Guiding Department, spoke on "Memories: Fifty Years Since the Eichmann Trial" and Liat Haviv, head of Yad Vashem's Visual Centre spoke about "The Holocaust in Cinema".   The artistic program included Reuven Monovitz's grandson, Gill Natansohn, and singer Michal Tal.   (Thank you to Alon Goldman for the words and Jacky Goldman for the pictures.)

Częstochowa Ghetto Liquidation Commemoration
     23rd September 2011

 

A ceremony was held at the Częstochowa Umschlagplatz monument to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the liquidation of the Częstochowa Ghetto. The ceremony was led by Rabbi Haim Beliak from Los Angeles.   Among those who helped organise the event were Dr.Jurek Mizgalski, Anna Maciejowska, Ireneusz Kozera, Prof.Zygmunt Bak, Marek Balt, Cezary Szymanski and Dr.Ryszard Stefaniak.   Photos courtesy of Lukasz Stacherczyk

Chairman of Israeli Częstochowers Passes Away
     23rd August 2011

 

It is with great sorrow that we mourn the passing of Arye Edelist z"l, Chairman for many years, of the Association of Częstochowa District Jews in Israel.   Arye will be sadly missed by all Częstochowa landsleit.   Upon hearing of the sad news, Sigmund Rolat, President of the World Society of Częstochowa Jews and Their Descendants said, "Arye Edelist has been my colleague and my partner in many Częstochowa endeavors. He was always a proud survivor of the Holocaust. We shall all miss him greatly. I certainly will miss his wisdom and advice.   "To his entire family, I extend my sympathy and affection, and that of the whole World Society of Częstochowa Jews and Their Descendants. We wish them all long life.   "His daughter, Pnina, will recall our recent telephone conversation, when I sensed that the situation was bad.   "We can now best memorialise and honour Arye Edelist by restoring the Częstochowa Jewish Cemetery- that was his fondest dream."

Webmaster's Visit to Częstochowa
     23rd October 2010

 

Together with Jerzy and Krystyna Mizagalski, our Webmaster (Andrew Rajcher) visited our Jewish Cemetery and the Umschlagplatz Monument in Częstochowa. The Cemetery They were pleasantly surprised because, as can be seen from the pictures above, the central area and pathways had been cleared and maintained. It appeared that the last work had been carried out within the fortnight prior to our visit. Whether it was due to the city authorities or local students, it is uncertain. The Umschlagplatz Monument Again, it was pleasing to see that our monument and the surrounding area have been well maintained. There was no evidence of any graffiti - in fact, there was evidence that various people had come and left flowers and candles. The grounds and the monument are also under constant CCTV surveillance.