Rzeszów, Poland

(Pronounced zhe-shof)
(Other Names: Reisha, Reyshe, Zhezhov)

Memorial to the Mass Graves in Głogów Woods

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Memorial to the Jews of Rzeszów and nearby towns executed by the Germans and buried in the mass graves in the Bór Forest near Głogów, approximately seven miles NNW of Rzeszów.

Głogów Memorial

Photo by Marian Rubin on day of dedication, 26 June 1995.

Mrs. Klara Ma’ayan, z”l, long time president of the Rzeszów Landsmanshaft in Israel led the planning of the memorial site in cooperation with the mayor of Rzeszów and other Rzeszów officials and with the Polish embassy in Israel and the Israel embassy in Poland.

The site was dedicated on the 26th of June 1995. Approximately 125 people attended the dedication, including Jews born in Rzeszow and nearby towns who then lived in Israel, Canada, France and the United States, some of whom were accompanied by their children. Mr. Natan Beck z”l, from Israel led the prayers. Speakers included Mrs. Ma’ayan, the mayor of Rzeszów, attendees from Israel, and a Catholic priest. A Polish Army band played somber music.

The mass graves are to the right of the memorial site. Some photos from the day of dedication follow.

Głogów Memorial - Listening to the Ceremony

Głogów Listening

Photo by Marian Rubin, 26 June 1995

Dedication of Memorial Near Mass Graves in Głogów Woods

The Polish Army band played somber music.

Polish Army Band

Photo by Marian Rubin, 26 June 1995

The Mass Graves in Głogów Woods

Approximately five thousand to ten thousand Jews and some Poles from Rzeszów and nearby towns were killed and buried here by German soldiers.

See: Letter from a Priest.

Mass Graves

Photo by Marian Rubin, 26 June 1995

Głogów Memorial - Attendees

Some of the attendees are in this photo. The younger people accompanied a parent. Standing at left: Moshe Oster, z”l., Moshe was a survivor of Auschwitz. He and his wife, Emuna, returned to Rzeszów for many summers to tell school children what happened to the Jews of Rzeszów during the War.

Attendees

More About Moshe Oster

The day before the dedication in the Głogów woods, Moshe Oster was walking with his adult daughter around the section of Rzeszów where he had lived as a boy. A Polish man, who looked about Moshe’s age, was walking toward them. Moshe stopped the man and said in Polish, “Excuse me. Did you live in Rzeszów before the War ?” The man said “Yes.” Moshe said, “I wonder if you can tell me anything about my old friend Kaziemierz Jacek.” The man stared at Moshe, then pointed to himself and said, “I am Kaziemierz Jacek.” Moshe invited his old friend to come to our hotel that evening where this photo was taken. What must Pan Jacek have felt to see a Jew return from Auschwitz?

Moshe Oster

Man with necktie: Kazimierz Jacek. Moshe Oster, far right. Front left: Prof. Dov Noy. Back: Marian Rubin.