Warsaw, Poland -- The Taube Foundation for Jewish Life & Culture is proud to announce that our Executive Director, Shana Penn, was decorated with the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Polish Republic, in Warsaw, on October 23, 2013. The award is granted to foreigners who have rendered great service to Poland. The award was presented by Minister Jacek Michałowski, Head of the Chancellery of the President, on behalf of President of Poland Bronisław Komorowski.
Minister Michałowski decorates Ms. Penn with the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. (Photo: Bartlomiej Banaszak)
Minister Michałowski cited Ms. Penn's outstanding contribution to the development of Polish-Jewish dialogue, support of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, advocacy on behalf of Poland's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, and scholarly work on the role of women in the Solidarity movement in Poland. He noted that President Komorowski's commemoration of women on the 23rd anniversary of the first democratic elections in Poland on June 4, 1989, was inspired by Ms. Penn's groundbreaking research. Deputy Chairwoman of the Polish Parliament Wanda Nowicka also spoke regarding Ms. Penn's significant contributions.
Ms. Penn received this award during the Irena Sendler Memorial Award Ceremony held at the Museum of the History of Polish Jews and organized by the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life & Culture. At the ceremony, foundation chairman Tad Taube honored Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bogdan Zdrojewski and Mayor of Warsaw Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz for their leadership in building the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. The Irena Sendler Memorial Award is given annually to Polish citizens who have worked to preserve Jewish heritage and foster Jewish cultural renewal in Poland.
For more information or to receive photographs of the award ceremony, please contact:
Vera Hannush, Taube Philanthropies
Tel: (510) 642-2944
Email: vhannush@taubephilanthropies.org
