Częstochowa Commemorates Ghetto Liquidation

September 20, 2024

Source: Text – Alon Goldman, Photographs – Łukasz Kolewiński

A ceremony took place at the Częstochowa Jewish Cemetery, on Friday 20th September, marking the 82nd anniversary of the liquidation of the Częstochowa ghetto, resulting in the deportation, of about 40,000 of the ghetto’s Jews, in six transports, to their deaths in the German death camp in Treblinka.

The event was moderated by Izabela Sobańska-Klekowska, Chair of the Częstochowa branch of the TSKŻ. Participants included Częstochowa Deputy Mayor Dr. Ryszard Stefaniak, Częstochowa City Councillors, members of the local military and security forces, members of the local Jewish community and friends. Students of Słowacki High School also presented a performance of several songs.

World Society Vice-President, Alon Goldman (below left), noted that we are slowly saying goodbye to the Survivor First Generation and, soon, there will be no one to tell, firsthand, what happened. He said that the obligation to preserve the memory is now passed to the Holocaust Second and Third Generations, and we must not allow anyone to forget the tragedy and what our families went through.

Częstochowa Deputy Mayor, Dr. Ryszard Stefaniak (above right), also emphasised the importance and duty of remembrance of the Holocaust victims, Jewish citizens of the city.

He said, “Częstochowa remembers, because Jewish citizens constituted a very important part of the citizens of our city. They were a people of culture, science, philanthropists, whose economic activists left permanent traces here. Fairness obliges us to remember those who died, in a sense, for their homeland. The ceremonies, commemorating the liquidation of the Częstochowa ghetto, are living lessons in the city’s identity and an important element in building historical consciousness. Thanks to them, the younger generations can learn about the tragic events that happened in the city – so delegations of Czestochowa schools participate in these ceremonies. The commemoration anniversary of the liquidation of the ghetto is not only an act of remembrance, but also a commitment to ensure that similar tragedies do not happen again.”

“Kaddish” was then recited by Alon Goldman.

In the second part of the ceremony, the last part of the renewed headstone of the mass grave of the intelligentsia was unveiled. This was made possible by the generous donation of the Cohen Frum family from the USA, whose their family members are buried in this grave.

Following the commemoration at the Częstochowa Jewish Cemetery, the event continued to the memorial to Częstochowa Jewish Holocaust victims at Samuel Willenberg Square.