Exhibition: Traces of Mezuzot – Windows into the Polish-Jewish World

From the end of August through September and November, the Ludwik Zamenhof Center hosts a unique exhibition dedicated to mezuzah traces and Polish-Jewish history.

Unlike synagogues or cemeteries, which are protected by law as symbols of Jewish communities, mezuzah traces are personal – silent marks left on doorposts that testify to the lives of individual families. These traces open symbolic “keyholes” into the world of Polish Jews, allowing us to reconstruct stories and memories that might otherwise remain hidden.

The exhibition presents 100 mezuzah traces found in 93 towns and cities in Poland and beyond, offering a moving journey into the everyday lives of Jewish families.

Alongside the exhibition, we host a Hebrew calligraphy workshop with Helena Czernek and a lecture and discussion with its authors – Aleksander Prugar and Helena Czernek – who explore questions such as: What is a mezuzah trace? How are they formed? What role do they play in Polish-Jewish memory? How can we search, categorize, and interpret them? Personal stories connected to these traces will also be shared.

The program is designed for teenagers, students, adults, and seniors, with an expected audience of around 300 participants. The event is organized in partnership with the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

Follow the Ludwik Zamenhof Center (Bialystok Cultural Centre) and visit their website.

The event is part of the Cities Embracing Jewish Heritage initiative supported by the Combat Antisemitism Movement and the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage