jews d
in
the
A display from Forbidden Art
An Important Partner
The Polish
Mission in
Orchard Lake
is a friend to
the Jewish
community.
T
Catholic Seminary, as well as the St Mary’s High School
he U.S. Military Academy at West Point
for boys from around the world. High school football
hosted a special event, a national observance
fans will recognize the St. Mary’s team for its numerous
of the 72nd Anniversary of the Liberation of
state championships.
Auschwitz, on Thursday, Feb. 9. The event featured
The mission of the Mission, however, is secular. It
the Forbidden Art exhibition from the Auschwitz-
“preserves and promotes Polish and Polish-American
Birkenau State Museum in Poland, a moving dis-
culture, tradition and history for present and future gen-
play of art created by the prisoners of Auschwitz
erations.”
and hidden away from their Nazi guards.
Within the Polish Mission, there is a museum and
A great event, no doubt, but one which not have
Mike Smith
archives of Polonia (the Polish Diaspora). There are
happened without the efforts of the Polish Mission DJN Foundation
Archivist
historical records of the Polish in Detroit, the largest col-
at Orchard Lake Schools and its director, Marcin
lection in America of documents and artifacts related
Chumiecki.
to Poles serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during World
At this point, one might ask, “What is the Polish
War II, as well as such items as medieval correspondence from
Mission?”
the royal families in Poland and records of Polish survivors of
Well, it’s not a household name … yet. But, if Chumiecki has
the Nazi concentration camps. There is also a collection of art
his way, everyone will know about the Mission. In particular,
from famous Polish artists.
he hopes that Detroit’s Jewish community will appreciate the
Chumiecki has been director of the Mission since 2008. A
work of his institution.
Founded in 1885 by Polish immigrants, the Polish Mission
Polish immigrant and American citizen, Chumiecki brings a
is part of the Orchard Lake Schools, which includes a Polish-
youthful and highly energetic approach to his work. He’s not
continued on page 20
18
March 9 • 2017
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