Situated in the heart of Oświęcim, this town once bustled with a Jewish community comprising close to 60% of its population.
It was a typical small Polish town with a butcher, baker, and shoemaker, where Jews and non-Jews lived together in relative harmony. Yet tragically, it became a stark example of genocide, as 98% of its Jewish residents were coldly and brutally exterminated during the Holocaust.
Tha first Jews settled in Oświęcim in the 16th century, affectionately naming it Oshpitzin, Yiddish for “guests.” Today, the museum in the former Kornreich family home narrates the chilling transformation of this once vibrant town, detailing through photographs, documents, artifacts, testimony, and Judaica—excavated in 2004 from beneath the Great Synagogue—how a well-known European town was tragically erased by hatred and discrimination.
Every visitor is invited to confront the stark realities of systemic hatred. By educating about the progression from discrimination to genocide, the museum plays a crucial role in our mission to prevent history from repeating itself. Our programs emphasize the dangers of unchecked prejudice and promote a message of tolerance and understanding.
The Jewish Museum of Oświęcim challenges each visitor to reflect on the consequences of hatred and to embrace the responsibilities of remembrance and education. By preserving the memories of the Jewish community of Oświęcim, we ensure that “never again” becomes a personal commitment.