The Righteous Among the Nations

On Saturday, November 3, 2012, students of grade 8a and high school classes of the Polish School of Fine Arts. General Casimir Pulaski, in response to the invitation of the Association of Polish Teachers in America and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, took part in a school trip to the Polish Museum in Chicago.
The main purpose of the trip was to see an exhibition prepared by the Rzeszów branch of the Institute of National Remembrance entitled “Righteous Among the Nations: Help of Poles for the Jewish population in south-eastern Poland in the years 1939-1945.”
The exhibition consisted of 24 panels presenting archival photographs, documents, press reports and portraits of ordinary Poles helping Jews and hiding their families during World War II.
The photos and documents were accompanied by extensive comments in two language versions: Polish and English.
During the tour of the exhibition, students answered in writing questions related to the presented material.
In addition to the exhibition, students under the care of museum guides were shown around the picture gallery, Ignacy Paderewski’s room and the library.
History lessons based on documents do not happen very often.
They are an extremely interesting as well as an important form of teaching, especially in Polish schools.

Text: Jola Plesiewicz

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