Few images remain from the world of East European Jewry which was destroyed during the Holocaust. Perhaps the most well known images that survived the Holocaust are Roman Vishniac's photographs, taken between 1935 and 1939, and The Ejszyszki Shtetl Collection, on display at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. In this web site we introduce you to an additional set of images - paintings by Moshe Rynecki.
Moshe Rynecki's life spanned many turbulent events: the partition of his country (Poland), almost constant political turmoil, and two world wars. While Rynecki's artistic merit is important, in his paintings we can gain deeper insight into a culture transformed and nearly annihilated by Nazism. Through his choice of subjects, he provides us with a realistic depiction of Jewish family life, work, religion, education, and recreation. Although his primary goal and focus in life was to be an artist of merit, history turned him into an important witness when he was transferred to the Warsaw Ghetto. There he documented the atrocity and horror that surrounded him.
Although the Holocaust brought great loss and a tragic end to Moshe Rynecki and many members of his family, our goal in this web site is to celebrate him and his work. We hope you enjoy your visit!