Trust me, I am a GENEALOGIST.

March from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Yom haShoah

Erev of Israel’s Yom HaShoah 2020 brought back all those encounters, teachings and experiences gained on the paths of studying and learning about Auschwitz – Birkenau. All those genealogical and historical discoveries which finished in tears of joy or pain. Marching from Auschwitz to Birkenau is my duty. The first International March of the Living for me was in 2000 and then every few years I was marching again and again in various capacities. I can’t imagine that after 32 years of the International March of the Living program no one will march Yom ha Shoah on April 21st, 2020. I decided to be there and keeping to all the sanitary restrictions cover the path in the name of continuity, everlasting education and most importantly memorial tribute to Auschwitz victims. Keeping memory is about keeping its rituals and redefining those in the spirit of historical accuracy and search for the new contemporary meanings. Please be there with me tomorrow in thought in spirit or prayer.

About the Author

I hold an MA in International Relations and Politics and an MA in Middle East Studies, both from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. I am a PhD in the field of Political Studies, writing on the changing patterns of Holocaust and Auschwitz memory. I am a scholar of comparative genocide studies and author of a book "Auschwitz after Auschwitz". I work professionally as Jewish genealogist. I am a guide and genealogist through complicated matters and sites. My research company Polin Travel was initiated in 2000 to merge three of my passions: Jewish history, genealogy, and guiding. The last 20 years brought many explorations, genealogical finds, and emotions that proved to be transformative for me and my clients. Pursuing an academic career I don't lose sight of moving my travel activities on-line with first successful on-line guided tours, on-line genealogy, supported with customized films, and lectures. During the COVID pandemic I initiated a new visual history and historical site interpretation project SKY HERITAGE PICTURES.