Section 1 of the Traveling Exhibit
The city of Będzin is located in southwest Poland in Upper Silesia, sharing borders with the Czech Republic and Germany. The city was situated 25 miles northwest of Auschwitz-Birkenau. In the years leading up to World War 2, Będzin served as important center of agriculture, industry, and trade. Its population of about 54,000 inhabitants of diverse socio-economic backgrounds was composed of nearly equal parts Polish Jews and Polish Catholics. The two communities lived in relatively harmonious coexistence with layers of intercommunal relations. However, antisemitism and anti-Judaism were embedded in parts of Polish culture and society, marking the daily life of Jews in Będzin.
Religion, family, and education were the cornerstones of everyday life experienced by the Jewish youth of Będzin. Different educational paths were available: they attended secular Polish, vocational, or religious schools. People practiced the Jewish religion and culture in various ways. Some remained loyal to Judaism in its orthodox form, others lived their Jewish traditions more liberally, or embraced Zionism and other political ideals. Regardless of such diversity, the Great Synagogue of Będzin functioned as a center of the Jewish community. It was among the first targets of the Nazis when they occupied the city in early September of 1939.
In order to understand the devastation brought upon by the war and the Holocaust, and especially on young people, it is important to learn more about Jewish life before the German occupation of Będzin.