The Polish Institute in Tel Aviv hosted the closing session of a 30-hour professional development program delivered by Dr. Lea Ganor on behalf of the Professional Development Division of the High-School Teachers Organization in Israel. The program focused on the Holocaust, remembrance, identity, education, and the enduring lessons of history, providing educators with knowledge and practical tools for teaching these subjects.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Ms. Magdalena Ku, Director of the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv, who emphasized the importance of educational and cultural cooperation between Poland and Israel. She was followed by Mr. Maciej Hunia, Ambassador of Poland to Israel, who spoke about the importance of preserving Holocaust remembrance, promoting international dialogue, and strengthening the ties between the two countries.

One of the highlights of the event was the testimony of Giora Bar-Nir, a Holocaust survivor who survived the Warsaw Ghetto as a child, later volunteered for the Israeli Air Force, served as a navigator, and became one of its founding members. Bar-Nir shared his remarkable life story, tracing his journey from the horrors of the Holocaust to his contribution to the establishment and defense of the State of Israel. His testimony offered participants a deeply moving encounter with living memory and an inspiring story of resilience, renewal, and national rebuilding.

The educational program concluded with a lecture by Hana Oren from Mashmaut Center, who explored the history of Polish Jewry after the Second World War, the postwar recovery period, and the waves of immigration to Israel in 1957 and 1968, providing participants with valuable historical perspective.

Dr. Ganor expressed her sincere appreciation to all those who contributed to the success of the program: the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv for its generous hospitality; Mr. Maciej Hunia, Ambassador of Poland to Israel, for honoring the event with his presence and remarks; Giora Bar-Nir for sharing his inspiring personal testimony; Hana Oren for her insightful lecture; Hodaya Navi and Karin, representatives of the Professional Development Division of the High-School Teachers Organization, for their outstanding cooperation throughout the program; and Ms. Penina Harush, Head of the Professional Development Division, together with Mr. Ran Erez, Chairman of the High-School Teachers Organization in Israel, for their trust and support in making this unique educational initiative possible.

Special appreciation was also extended to the participating teachers, whose professionalism, dedication, and commitment to preserving and transmitting the memory of the Holocaust to future generations were evident throughout the program. Their thoughtful participation and heartfelt feedback reflected the significant educational and professional impact of this meaningful learning experience.