To instill in people - especially youth - the values of leadership, courage and integrity, as exemplified by the life of Jan Karski.
In the midst of World War II, Jan Karski was dispatched by the Polish Underground to inform Western Allies about the reign of terror in German Nazi-occupied Poland and to seek intervention. Karski’s courageous mission, against all odds in the darkest of hours, qualifies him as Humanity's Hero.
The Foundation grew out of the successful Jan Karski US Centennial Campaign, which placed Dr. Karski's name in nomination for the Presidential Medal of Freedom in December 2011. President Obama awarded the posthumous Medal on May 29, 2012 at a White House ceremony.
The Karski My Hero website shows a fascinating map of European locations that were part of Karski's life and missions, along with pictures from places where many of his adventures took place. Its main goal is to promote the values of courage, respect for human dignity, responsibility, and inter-cultural dialogue.
Jan Karski died on June 13, 2000, and the 18th anniversary of his death gives us a special opportunity to recall how people and media reacted to his passing away.
The award-winning documentary Karski & The Lords of Humanity by Slawomir Grunberg has been recently shown in San Jose, Costa Rica and in Los Angeles.
Polish-American artist, Anna VanMatre, who befriended Karski in late 1990’s, talks to JKEF about her installation devoted to Karski. It is on display at Int’l Youth Meeting Ctr. in Oswiecim/Auschwitz.
