Peter Nelson, Consul General Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka, Wanda Urbanska and Ewa Wierzynska
Facing History and Ourselves, partnering with the Jan Karski Educational Foundation and the Polish Consulate in New York, offered a full day, free-of-charge workshop on Jan Karski and the Resistance in Poland on October 25. More than 45 educators and community activists attended last Thursday to learn about Karski while enjoying Polish food and hospitality in the elegant, ornate Consulate.
“What a remarkable day,” commented Susan Balk, founding director of HateBrakers, who came from St. Louis to attend. “I was moved to learn about Jan Karski, the profoundly courageous HateBraker, and would like to help share his gripping narrative to clarify his heroic place in history and break down false barriers between communities.”
In addition to St. Louis, attendees traveled from Buffalo, Pittsburgh and New Jersey with most hailing from the New York Metro area. Mary Lou Wyrobek, representing Canisuis College in Buffalo, called the program “excellent. It was a pleasure to attend and of course the setting was marvelous,” she said. She looks forward to bringing a similar program to Buffalo in the future.
Facing History New York Director Peter Nelson led the workshop alongside Wanda Urbanska, President of the Jan Karski Educational Foundation; Ewa Wierzynska of the Polish History Museum in Warsaw; and Patrycja Slawuta, a graduate student at the New School for Social Research. Consul General to New York Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka welcomed the participants and also contributed commentary throughout the day.
“Please be courageous,” said Peter Nelson in his closing remarks. “Be your own version of Jan Karski and teach about him and the efforts of the Polish people. Find a way to say yes to this rather than there's not enough time. ‘It's your move!’"
Susan Balk, Founding Director of HateBrakers, Wanda Urbanska, Peter Nelson and Counsel General, Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka
