Recently, Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” received unique exhibits as a gift - two medallions from the Lodz ghetto, made in the form of the Star of David and an open palm – the hamsa.

These extraordinary items were handed over by Hanna Leonidivna Nechpal from Kakhovka, Kherson region. Here is what Ms. Hanna said: “I am from the generation who were told about the war and its horrors, I am interested in this topic and understand what was behind such medallions... My grandfather was sent to a labor camp during the war, my grandmother worked in the rear. There are dead soldiers in my family. Therefore, I am very careful about everything related to that time...”

In February of this year, on the page of a private antique dealer, Hanna Leonidivna saw a publication about the sale of two medallions of 1943, which had the shape of a star and a palm. In his opinion, these items were from the Lodz ghetto in Poland, because they were found during the renovation of a house that was once located on the territory of the ghetto. The inscription is embossed on the medallions: “Getto Lodsch”. And the year is 1943…

Nowadays, the hamsa, a protective palm-shaped amulet symbolizing good luck and happiness, is associated with the Jewish people, as well as the Star of David. In Nazi Germany and in the territories occupied by it, all Jews, men and women over 10 years old, were obliged to wear the Star of David as an identification mark. As a rule, it was sewn onto a special bandage or directly onto clothing.

Then Hanna Leonidivna said: “Their price (as for such things) was ridiculous, and I bought them in order to transfer them to a specialized museum - as a memory of those people who survived the war and who did not live to see Victory. I believe that such things should not be in someone’s home, in private collections, etc.”

We sincerely thank Ms. Hanna for such a priceless gift, which will soon take its rightful place in the exhibition of our museum.