The Polish-American Awareness Foundation, Inc (PAAF) and the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center to work together

Two Chicago based non-profit organizations join together to honor the memory of Jan Karski, a courier for the Polish Underground Army during World War II and long-time scholar at Georgetown University

Chicago, IL, March 10, 2008 – The Polish-American Awareness Foundation, Inc. and the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center are joining efforts to honor the memory and legacy of Jan Karski, a Polish fighter who let the world know about Nazi concentration camps. PAAF, with support of IHMEC, is developing a series of live events and publications dedicated to remembrance of Karski’s life and mission.

Jan Karski, born in Poland as Jan Kozielewski, during World War II luckily escaped the Katyn massacre and begun his mission as a courier for the Polish Underground Army. In occupied Poland  Karski – risking his life - participated in many actions saving Jewish lives. Karski is known as the messenger who gathered the evidence of Nazi wrongdoings thereby endangering his life again. He brought the sad knowledge of the Holocaust to Polish government in exile, British officials and President Roosevelt himself, hoping the Allies would take direct action to stop Hitler’s extermination of Jews. His story was rarely believed at the time.

After the war, Karski was not able to return to Poland then ruled by the Soviet-dependent socialistic government. He became a US citizen and started his 30 year career as a professor at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Today,  his legacy is being rediscovered and appreciated. As PAAF’s President and Co-Founder Paul Hardej said: “The Holocaust as an event in history is not fully understood yet. We cannot understand why it happened and how it was possible. We need to remember what people like Jan Karski have done and believe this memory will help us prevent genocide, acts against humanity and hatred in the future”.

“I speak for our entire museum family in telling you all what an honor it is for us to be associated with the important efforts of PAAF”, said Richard Hirschhaut, Project and Executive Director at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. Both organizations share the firm faith in the importance of keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive for the benefit of future generations.

To learn more about PAAF and IHMEC visit www.paafonline.org and www.hmfi.org

For additional information on news that is the subject of this release or to sponsor one of PAAF's future events or programs contact Ewa Dybioch.

Contact:
Ewa Dybioch

Tel: 773 744 0908

ewad@paafonline.org

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