Read about our Mission, Vision and Mission Statement.
Mission
To preserve and recall the memory of the history of Polish Jews and to counteract antisemitism, discrimination, and exclusion by fostering mutual understanding and respect.
Vision
Situated at a site of great historical significance, we feel a moral responsibility to present the complex history of Polish Jews as relevant today, and as a source of profound, transformative experience. We want the Museum to be critical, accessible and collaborative.
Mission Statement
The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews stands in what was once the heart of Jewish Warsaw, an area that German Nazis turned into a ghetto during World War II. Its modern building faces the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, creating a unique space for remembrance and reflection. The Monument pays tribute to the struggle and suffering of Polish Jews, while POLIN Museum recalls their history, also showing that the Holocaust—contrary to the criminal intentions of its organizers—did not mark the end of Jewish life and culture in Poland.
At the heart of POLIN Museum is the Core Exhibition, a journey through the 1000-year history of Polish Jews, narrated from different perspectives, in many voices. Through this journey, we hope to offer our visitors a transformative experience, so that the history of Polish Jews becomes as meaningful and vivid to them as their own.
Our goal is to raise historical awareness and highlight the relevance of the past for understanding the present and shaping the future. We believe that exposure to the rich and dramatic history of Polish Jews helps develop empathy and respect for people of different religions and cultures. We want as vast a swath of the public as possible to discover a deeper, unadulterated picture of Polish-Jewish relations.
We are increasingly alarmed by the global rise in antisemitism—manifested in hateful rhetoric, violent acts, and the mainstreaming of conspiracy theories. In Poland, antisemitic expressions are particularly visible on social media, and have even surfaced in public institutions, including parliament. Worryingly, extremist ideologies that echo the language of 20th-century totalitarian regimes are gaining traction, including among young people.
The resurgence of antisemitism and radicalization undermines social cohesion, fuels hatred, and poses a threat to democratic values. Cultural institutions like POLIN Museum have a critical role to play in advancing civic education, fostering informed public dialogue, and shaping how societies remember the past and understand the present. In these uncertain times—marked by armed conflict and deepening social divides—we remain committed to building a space for reflection, dialogue, and shared understanding. In light of current global challenges—including armed conflicts that exacerbate insecurity and cause immense suffering among civilian populations—POLIN Museum is committed to serving as a space for thoughtful dialogue, critical reflection, and the pursuit of common understanding over division.
As the last survivors pass away and collective memory becomes increasingly vulnerable to distortion, Holocaust education faces new and pressing challenges. We believe that accurate, well-documented knowledge of the Holocaust is especially vital today and must remain accessible to current and future generations. It helps recognize the dangers of hatred and prejudice—and to understand the values that survivors sought to pass on.
"The 11th commandment is: thou shalt not be indifferent"—the message delivered by Marian Turski at Auschwitz—will continue to guide our values and shape our actions. POLIN Museum will remain a space for independent public discourse; a center for bold and ambitious temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and social campaigns that engage broad audiences both in person and online. It will serve as a model cultural institution in its commitment to accessibility for people with diverse needs; a steward of significant collections of both tangible and intangible Jewish heritage; and a partner to local initiatives across Poland dedicated to preserving and promoting Jewish history and culture.
Fully aware of the dramatic history of Polish Jews, we feel a deep responsibility to help shape open, informed citizens and communities that uphold freedom and ensure the safety and dignity of minorities.