Mezuzah Traces
Memory on the Doorposts of Poland
Mezuzah trace. Copyright: MI POLIN
The Holocaust Center is proud to present “Mezuzah Traces: Memory on the Doorposts of Poland”
The first in our Memory Keepers cultural exchange program, this powerful exhibit brings to light the quiet, physical remnants of Jewish life in Poland through the lens of an object both sacred and symbolic: the mezuzah.
After the destruction of Poland’s Jewish communities during the Holocaust, all that often remains of once-thriving Jewish homes are the subtle traces left behind: discoloration, nail holes, or indentations where mezuzot were once affixed. Mezuzah Traces documents these haunting imprints and recasts them as bronze mezuzot, transforming void into presence, and loss into remembrance.
Visitors will explore a collection of these cast mezuzot, each paired with the original location and story it represents. This exhibit bridges past and present, faith and absence, reminding us that memory can endure, even in silence.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Dan & Leslie Podberesky
Stephanie Adler-Paindiris & Tasos Paindiris
Deep Dive: Learn More About This Exhibit
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What is a Mezuzah trace?
Mezuzah traces mark the places where mezuzah scrolls were once affixed before the war. More than 3.5 million Jews lived in Poland before World War II, and in the majority of Jewish homes, mezuzot were attached to the doorposts. During the Holocaust, the mezuzot disappeared, leaving behind only traces of absence and loss.
These subtle marks on doorframes can reveal where a mezuzah once hung. They may appear as a groove, a faint outline beneath layers of paint, or nails that once held a mezuzah case in place. Today, these mezuzah traces stand as quiet symbols of the Jewish lives, homes, and communities that were lost.
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Jewish Genealogy Research
Every mezuzah trace points to a family that once lived behind that doorway. Through archival records, historical maps, photographs, and family testimonies, MI POLIN works to identify the Jewish individuals and families connected to these homes, restoring names and stories that were nearly erased during the Holocaust.
Working alongside descendants around the world, their research reconnects families with ancestral homes and communities while preserving the history of Jewish life in Poland. Each discovery transforms a simple mark on a doorframe into the story of a real person, ensuring that memory is carried forward for future generations.