Poland Recognizes NPAJAC's Contribution to Promoting
Polish-Jewish Relations

August 30, 2002…Washington, D.C.: Under the patronage of Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, the National Polish American - Jewish American Council (NPAJAC) will be awarded the Diploma in Recognition of the Outstanding Contribution to Promoting Poland in the World, in a ceremony at Warsaw's Belweder Palace, the former residence of the Polish President. This distinctive award is presented annually to individuals and organizations actively engaged in advancing Poland's history and culture. NPAJAC co-Chairs Martin Bresler and John Pikarski will represent the Council at the September 2nd ceremony.

In a letter to the Council from Poland's Ambassador the United States, Dr. Przemyslaw Grudzinski wrote: "I am happy that this year it comes to the NPAJAC, which has been promoting Polish-Jewish dialogue for over two decades, building bridges of tolerance, understanding and friendship."

Since 1979, the Council has been a leader in the reconciliation process between the two communities, facilitating dialogue between Poles and Jews in America and the world over. Through conferences, statements and correspondence, the Council's objective has been, and continues to be, to bring the leadership of both of these significant communities face-to-face on a regular basis to grapple constructively with their shared past and to shape better future relations.

John Pikarski said today: "This award is in recognition of the exceptional work of many leaders over two decades on behalf of the Polish and Jewish communities. More than ever before, members of the National Polish American - Jewish American Council remain deeply committed to enhancing cooperation and understanding between Poles and Jews in America, Poland, and throughout the world."

For more information, contact Guy Billauer at (202) 785-4200 or mail@npajac.org