Friends from Israel

Representatives of the Matte Asher region from the Western Galilee in northern Israel became interested in the history of the Jewish community from Czarny Dunajec after the screenings of the documentary film "Ukos Light" directed by Wojciech Szumowski in 2021 in their country. The authorities of the region wanted to establish partnership relations with the commune (now the town) of Czarny Dunajec and organize regular visits of Israeli youth to our region. The aim of such cooperation is to deepen the Polish-Israeli dialogue at the regional level.

For the first time, a delegation from Matte Aszer came to Czarny Dunajec in May 2022. Guests from Israel visited the Jewish cemetery and synagogue, they also met with the mayor of the commune. The first visit of young people from Israel was canceled due to the suspension of the youth exchange between Poland and Israel for several months.

A year later, on May 13, 2023, a delegation with the chairman of the regional council Matte Asher Mosze Dawidowicz came to Czarny Dunajec again. Their visit took place a few weeks after the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The guests organized a short celebration at the cemetery and lit six candles symbolizing the six million Jews who died during the Holocaust. After visiting the building of the former synagogue, they sang several songs, including one together with a group of Polish youth, and watched a performance by the Watra song and dance group from the Czarny Dunajec commune.

Chairman Mosze Dawidowicz assured of his willingness to establish a permanent partnership with the Czarny Dunajec commune, including assistance in the renovation of the synagogue building, and also invited the folk band to perform in Israel. There are plans for further visits of groups from the Matte Asher region to Czarny Dunajec.