OŚWIĘCIM, Poland – A powerful moment of Black-Jewish solidarity will unfold this week as a distinguished group of Black leaders and activists from the U.S. embark on a four-day trip to Poland to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The mission, organized by the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, will bring together a coalition of individuals from diverse backgrounds to reflect on the lessons of history, unite against bigotry and learn about the atrocities of the Holocaust. This unique journey will offer participants the chance to experience the chilling remnants of the Holocaust while underscoring the importance of inter-community relationships in the face of rising global antisemitism and bigotry. The group will explore historic sites in and around Oświęcim, the city that once housed a large Jewish population before the Holocaust, Krakow and Warsaw. They will also visit the Auschwitz Jewish Center and the former concentration camp of Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
The mission will include a private tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where participants will experience firsthand the horror of the Nazi concentration camps. The group will also visit the Auschwitz Jewish Center, the sole institution dedicated to preserving the memory of Oświęcim’s thriving pre-Holocaust Jewish community and that today teaches the lessons of tolerance and understanding to the next generation of European and American leaders, including military cadets, first responders, students and educators.
In addition to the visits to Auschwitz, the group will spend time exploring the Jewish history of Poland. They will tour Krakow’s historic Kazimierz Jewish Quarter and Schindler’s Factory, as well as the Krakow Ghetto Memorial. They will dine with Holocaust survivors and members of the Israeli delegation—including those whose family members are being held hostage in Gaza, developing ties and learning about their experiences and those of their loved ones.
On Monday, the group will participate in the 80th Anniversary ceremony of the Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, which is set to bring together world leaders, Holocaust survivors and families from around the globe to honor those who perished in the camps.
Following the memorial event in Auschwitz, the group will travel to Warsaw, where they will tour the historic Jewish community, including the Warsaw Ghetto memorials, Warsaw’s Jewish Cemetery, the POLIN Museum and memorials around Warsaw that serve as poignant reminders of the city’s once-thriving Jewish population, most of which was decimated during the war.
The trip’s participants come from a wide range of backgrounds but share a common commitment to social justice. Notable figures embarking on this trip include:
- Global investor and philanthropist, Robert F. Smith. Smith is the founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners and has committed significant resources to financial education and Black empowerment, including his famous 2019 Morehouse College graduation ceremony gift where Smith pledged and then eliminated the student loan debt of all graduates in the graduating class. Smith has long been an ally of the Jewish community. As Chairman of Carnegie Hall, Smith hosted the “15 Days of Light” event at the historic concert hall, which brought together Black and Jewish Leaders to combat antisemitism.
- CNN commentator, Dream Machine Founder, Emmy award winner and New York Times best-selling author Van Jones. He has founded and led many successful social justice organizations aimed at improving the lives of underserved communities, including Dream Machine Innovation Lab.
- Actress, singer and activist Malynda Hale. She is the founder of the Black Voices Heard Project and a key figure in promoting Black advocacy and empowerment in the arts.
- Grammy® award winning singer/songwriter Victory Boyd, regarded worldwide for her soulful voice, creative collaborations and commitment to social justice. Victory is known for her R&B and gospel music, which often highlights themes of faith and empowerment.
- Philadelphia-based Christian pastor and social justice advocate, Pastor Carl Day. Pastor Day’s ministry focuses on addressing both spiritual and social issues within marginalized communities, including racial justice.
- Entrepreneur and philanthropist, John Hope Bryant. Bryant is the founder of Operation HOPE, an organization dedicated to financial literacy and economic empowerment for underserved communities.
“Today, as we see a dangerous rise in both antisemitism and anti-Black hatred, it is more important than ever that we build bridges of understanding and empathy between our communities. The Black and Jewish communities have long shared a common experience of persecution, and it is incumbent upon us to stand together and fight for a world where hatred and intolerance are eradicated,” said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Chairman Simon Bergson. “The lessons of the Holocaust are more than historical—they are a call to action for all of us. We must carry these lessons forward, ensuring that future generations never forget the cost of hate.”
“Almost 62 years ago, the Jewish and Black communities stood together in solidarity during the historic March on Washington, and today, we are deeply grateful to Van Jones and the delegation of Black leaders who have joined us to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz,” said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation Director General Jack Simony. “As time passes and the horrors of the Holocaust grow more distant, it is crucial that we continue to honor its lessons and remain steadfast in the fight against antisemitism and all forms of bigotry. The lessons of the Holocaust are not just a part of history—they are a call to action, reminding us all of the devastating cost of hate and the urgent need to ensure future generations never forget.”
The Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation operates the only synagogue near Auschwitz and stands as the primary institution dedicated to preserving the memory of Oświęcim’s Jewish community while confronting hate worldwide. More than 800,000 people have visited the center, and more than 10,000 individuals, including first responders, military personnel, students and educators, have participated in its educational programs on tolerance and the Holocaust. The center’s U.S. 501c3, the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, also supports victims of mass atrocities and genocides, including Ukrainian refugees and those affected by Hamas’s October 7 attacks. For more information, visit: https://ajcfus.org/.
