A design by Andrzej Bulanda and Maciej Bulanda and executed by Agnieszka Szuran and Jadwiga Gajczyk has been chosen as the mezuzah that will be installed at the entrance to the forthcoming Museum of the History of Polish Jews, which is set to open in Warsaw next year.
The winning proposal will be made from bricks that once formed part of a wall at the junction of Nalewki and Gęsia streets, the heart of pre-war Jewish Warsaw, states the Museum web site.
This mezuzah is a “silent witness” of history and of the place where the Museum is currently located – writes Prof. Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, the head of the jury, injustification of the jury’s choice. This idea moved the jury deeply. We hope that it also appeals to visitors to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
The victorious project was inspired by the words of Benjamin Wolf Hendeles: There are moments, especially on Shabbat and the holidays, when I would like to kiss the sidewalks of Nalewki. In accordance with custom, one kisses the hand touching the mezuzah. As the winners explain, those who touch the mezuzah, will touch the sidewalks of Nalewki.
The Jury was composed of:
– Prof. Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett – Main Exhibition Programme Director, Association of the Jewish Historical Institute in Poland
– Michael Schudrich – the Chief Rabbi of Poland
– Zygmunt Stępiński – Deputy Director of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews
– Prof. Ksawery Piwocki – Rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
– Prof. Jerzy Porębski – Department of Design, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
– Prof. Czesława Frejlich – Editor-in-Chief of 2+3D magazine, lecturer at the AFA in Krakow and in Warsaw
– Michał Stefanowski – Deputy President of the Association of Industrial Designers