On the occasion of the Day of Judaism in the Catholic Church, a unique exhibition entitled “Płock Judaica” was presented at the seat of the diocesan curia in Płock. Curators from the Masovian Museum in Płock, led by Barbara Rydzewska, brought together valuable artifacts documenting the centuries-long life of the Jewish community in the city. Until 15 April, visitors can also admire the rarely displayed 13th-century charter of Płock.
Two narratives of Płock’s Jewish community
The exhibition is the result of extensive cooperation among institutions that preserve heritage objects left by Płock’s Jews. Speaking to Heschel Center News, Barbara Rydzewska of the Masovian Museum explains that together with Dr. Magdalena Bilska-Ciećwierz and Katarzyna Stołowska-Fus, they shaped the exhibition as a dual narrative.
The first part is closely connected to Jewish religion and tradition, while the second focuses on the history and everyday life of Płock’s Jews over the centuries. In the sacred section, visitors’ attention is drawn to Judaica used in Płock. “These include a Torah, a meil, a yad, and objects connected with Jewish holidays,” says Dr. Magdalena Bilska-Ciećwierz.
Everyday life and a broken history
The exhibition also presents the life of the Jewish community up to 1939, featuring designs of the Great and Small Synagogues as well as artifacts related to trade and education. A key figure highlighted is Alfred Blaj, a well-known merchant and city councillor.
“During the Second World War, he was forced to go into hiding. We have an entire set of documents—essentially forged—that nevertheless allowed him to survive the war,” adds Dr. Magdalena Bilska-Ciećwierz. Judaica from the 19th and 20th centuries constitute the core of the exhibition.
The tragic chapter in the city’s history is marked by artifacts referring to the Holocaust and the deportation of Jews from Płock in 1941. The narrative concludes with photographs of the Jewish cemetery in Płock and the monument commemorating Jewish victims of the Second World War.
A unique document
A particularly exceptional feature of the exhibition is the charter of Płock from 1237, which is rarely removed from the diocesan archives. The document was issued by Bishop Piotr I of Płock. Preserved in the Diocesan Archives in Płock, it is probably the only surviving municipal charter in Poland granted under Polish law from the first half of the 13th century. It is also an important testimony to the presence of Jews in the city, as it mentions a Jewish well, one of the points marking the city’s boundaries at the time.
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Heschel Center News/ Karol Darmoros