Yesterday, February 18, our long-serving Chairman of the Jewish Community in Krakow (1997–2022) —affectionately known among Krakow’s Jews and community staff simply as “Mr. President”—would have celebrated his 87th birthday.

Tadeusz Jakubowicz was born in Krakow on February 18, 1939, the son of Maciej and Róża (née Pistol). He served on the board of the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland and the Jewish Community Center Krakow, and was also a member of the Social Committee for the Restoration of Krakow Monuments (SKOZK). In recognition of his contributions to the restoration of Krakow’s historic monuments, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta in 2000 and the Officer’s Cross of the same order in 2023. In 2019, the Society of Lovers of Krakow History and Monuments honored him with the Klemens Bąkowski Prize, and in 2016 he was named Man of the Year by Gazeta Krakowska.

He graduated from Tadeusz Kościuszko High School No. 4 in Podgórze and went on to study at the State Higher School of Music in Katowice—an entirely natural choice for someone with such a deep love of music. He was a devoted supporter of KS Cracovia and had a lifelong passion for motor vehicles, possessing remarkable knowledge and hands-on experience in the field. Above all, however, he was the steadfast leader of the Jewish community in Krakow—its symbol and its guardian. Thanks to his determination and vigilance, the Jewish Religious Community in Krakow preserved both its religious character and its material foundations. Despite numerous challenges, it remains today what it was always meant to be, as he consistently defended its principles, values, and property.

Tadeusz Jakubowicz was a committed advocate of Christian–Jewish dialogue and was widely respected for his constructive relationships with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. He also maintained strong and effective ties with local authorities. The frequent presence of the Mayor of Krakow, Prof. Jacek Majchrowski, at ceremonies organized by the Jewish Religious Community in Krakow stands as a testament to the mutual respect he fostered. He was a man of great heart, with a deep love for both people and animals. His affection for dogs and birds was well known throughout Krakow. He drew others to him with his sincerity and principled, uncompromising nature. Whenever he offered help, he did so quietly—without seeking recognition or publicity. Since the difficult post-war years, when Krakow’s Jews faced profound financial hardship, there was an unwritten understanding that in times of trouble one turned to “Mr. President.” First it was Maciej, then Czesław, and finally Tadeusz who bore that responsibility. “Mr. President” cared deeply about Remembrance. Whenever he was invited to attend a commemorative event—no matter how distant the location—he made every effort to be present, honoring memory with his time, attention, and steadfast commitment.

Tadeusz Jakubowicz was exceptionally well prepared for his role, having absorbed from an early age the knowledge, sense of duty, and devotion required to lead. He was the son of Maciej Jakubowicz (February 20, 1911, Wadowice – July 19, 1979, Krakow), himself the long-serving President of the Congregation of the Mosaic Faith in Krakow (1957–1979)—the legal predecessor of today’s Jewish Religious Community in Krakow—and Maria Róża Jakubowicz (May 1, 1918, Dobczyce – December 30, 2007, Krakow), daughter of Abraham Pistol. Maciej Jakubowicz guided the Krakow Jewish community through the extraordinarily difficult post-war years, when the communist authorities stripped Polish Jews of their property, designating it as “abandoned.” His son Tadeusz continued the demanding and often painstaking work of recovering what had been wrongfully taken and safeguarding the community’s real estate and material foundations. He often emphasized that the Jewish community of Krakow bore responsibility for the heritage of many generations—that it was not merely an institution of the present, but the custodian of what remained from those who came before.

Tadeusz Jakubowicz passed away in Krakow on November 17, 2024, after a long illness. He died in his beloved home, surrounded by those closest to him. On November 20, 2024, his funeral took place at the Jewish Cemetery at 55 Miodowa Street in Krakow. Despite the bitter cold, a large gathering of friends, acquaintances, community members, and many who felt personally indebted to him came to pay their respects. The ceremony became not only a farewell, but a powerful testament to the esteem in which he was held. In a broadcast aired by Radio Kraków on the day of the funeral, Prof. Łukasz Tomasz Sroka remarked that “this is the last great funeral of twentieth-century Krakow.” Meanwhile, Lili Haber, Chairwoman of the Association of Krakowians in Israel, wrote on social media: “With Tadek’s death, the period in which Holocaust survivors stood at the head of the community has come to an end.” The final word, however, belongs to his daughter, Helena Jakubowicz, the current Chairwoman of the Community. In a deeply moving speech delivered over her father’s coffin, she said: “For me, he was the greatest father in the world and supported me in every area of my life. I could always count on him in every situation. I don’t know how I will cope without him. But I want you to know that I spent the last beautiful moments with him—moments I will remember for the rest of my life. These final days we shared give me strength and hope that I will be able to live up to what my father expected of me.”