Tadeusz Jakubowicz, chairman of the Jewish Religious Community, has died

The religious community announced the death of the chairman on social media. The funeral ceremonies will take place on Wednesday at the Jewish Cemetery at ul. Miodowa.

“We regret the loss of this very unique figure, who will remain forever in the hearts of the Jewish community in Poland and around the world. Rescued from the Holocaust, completely devoted to the Jewish Community in Krakow. Friend of Israel, Great Man! Privately, a lover of nature, motoring and a supporter of Cracovia. He was famous for his sharp tongue and blunt retorts,” the statement said.

Tadeusz Jakubowicz has been the chairman of the Jewish Community in Krakow since 1997. From 2002, he was a member of the board of the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage, and from 2007, a member of the board of the Jewish Community Center. He took an active part in the work of the Social Committee for the Restoration of Krakow Monuments (SKOZK). In 2019, the Society of Lovers of History and Monuments of Krakow awarded him the Award. Klemens Bąkowski. For his work in the restoration of Krakow's monuments, he was awarded the Knight's Cross in 2000, and in 2023 the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.

“This is a great loss for the Jewish community in Krakow, as well as the entire city. I express my condolences to the family, relatives and colleagues of Tadeusz Jakubowicz,” wrote the mayor of Krakow, Aleksander Miszalski, on social media.

Tadeusz Jakubowicz was born in Podgórze, at Smolki Street, where he lived with his parents. He survived the Kraków ghetto and the Płaszów camp. He hid with his family in the forest until the end of the war. After its completion, he returned to Krakow, where he graduated from primary school and the 4th Secondary School. Tadeusz Kościuszko. Then he graduated from the State Higher School of Music in Katowice.