Jews first arrived in Görlitz nearly a thousand years ago but were persecuted, murdered or forced to flee during two periods of settlement. After being expelled from Görlitz in 1396, Jews were banned from living there again until 1847. Between 1847 and 1930s, the Görlitz Jewish community thrived and prospered. Then, in 1933 life for Jews in Görlitz became perilous. By 1940, this Jewish community was no more; all had either fled or were murdered as a result of Nazi atrocities.

Jewish Remembrance Week Görlitz/Zgorzelec celebrates the vibrant former Jewish community of Görlitz, highlighting the accomplishments of members, their businesses, their families and synagogue as well as the horrific persecution meted out during the Nazi era. Descendants of this former Jewish community will be communing in Görlitz and Zgorzelec from all over the world to celebrate this occasion.

Jewish  Remembrance Week Görlitz/Zgorzelec includes talks by survivors and their children, lectures by renowned historians, films, photo exhibits and discussions all with an eye to carrying the lessons of this legacy forward to offer hope and humanity to the many humanitarian crises we face today.