The Gerichter Foundation, founded in 2025 by Meir Gerichter, is a deeply personal legacy project and foundation dedicated to preserving the memory of his grandparents' families and the vibrant Jewish community of Częstochowa, which was almost completely destroyed during the Holocaust.

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The foundation’s mission centres on promoting Holocaust awareness and education. Through these initiatives, the Gerichter Foundation honours the lives of over 40,000 Jews from Częstochowa, Holocaust survivors, and the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust.

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Meir Gerichter is a committed Zionist in his community of Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, with over 15 years of experience in pro-Israel activism. Additionally, Meir served as a sergeant in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and voluntarily enlisted as a lone soldier for two years as a Canadian Jew. During his service, he was part of Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile defence system and had the privilege of participating in Operation Pillar of Defense on November 14, 2012. Driven by deep pride in his heritage and family history, Meir Gerichter founded the Gerichter Foundation to honor and preserve the legacies of those who came before him. Motivated by the remarkable Zionist legacy of his second great-grandfather, Natan Gerichter, Meir is deeply inspired to carry forward his family's enduring commitment to Jewish self-determination. His steadfast commitment is driven by a deep conviction to protect Israel, honor the history of the Jewish community in Częstochowa, and ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust remain a lasting foundation for future generations. Meir resolutely advocates for the Jewish people's right to self-determination in their full ancestral homeland with all it's borders, with Jerusalem as its undivided capital, a testament to his unwavering dedication to preserving Jewish heritage and identity for generations to come.​​

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Heritage & Hope: The Granek & Gerichter Family Story

 

This book shares the harrowing and heroic stories of both of Meir's grandparents' families during the Holocaust, as well as the amazing contributions of his 2nd great-grandfather, Rabbi Natan Gerichter, had in the city. 

 

To learn about the book, click HERE

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The Czestochowa Expert

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Born in Czestochowa, Poland, Marcin Bocian, helps to preserve Czestochowa's Jewish cemetery and aims to educate and raise awareness about the tragic history of Częstochowa during World War 2. Via his YouTube channel, Czews, he provides engaging experiences, and detailed explanations of Czestochowa's history, ensuring that future generations never forget the profound loss endured by its once-thriving Jewish community. Marcin's extensive knowledge on this topic, key locations, and pivotal events brings this important story to life. Thank you, Marcin, for all of your hard work! For a virtual understanding of what took place, please Click HERE to visit Marcin's YouTube Channel, Czews.

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Natan Gerichter​​

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Meir Gerichter's 2nd-great grandfather, Natan Gerichter, was a Rabbi and central figure in the Zionist movement in the city, playing a key role in the 1st Zionist Congress with Theodor Herzl in Austria, and in the establishment of the Jewish National Fund (JNF). Natan Gerichter was the 1st to successfully introduce Zionism to Częstochowa, even when it wasn't widely accepted by the great Rabbi of that time, Nachum Asz. The Gerichter family, alongside other Jewish leaders, was involved in various Zionist organizations that worked to build a future for the Jewish people, such as Al Ha'Mishmar and Et Livnot, as well as the vibrant Zionist youth movements like Ha’Noar Ha’Tzioni, Gordonia, and Ha’Shomer Ha’Tzair. These organizations formed the backbone of a dynamic, hopeful community, one that tragically vanished in the wake of the Holocaust.

 

Natan Gerichter also dedicated much of his life to philanthropy. He was involved in the Hachnoses Orchim Society, which provided food and lodging for poor Jewish travellers, and in the Ezra organization, founded by his wife, which assisted the sick and supported impoverished, post-natal women. His commitment to helping those in need was an integral part of the social fabric of Częstochowa, and the efforts he made, are what have inspire the work we do through this foundation today.

 

The destruction of Częstochowa’s Jewish community was not just the loss of lives—it was the erasure of a vibrant culture, a rich history, and a hopeful future. This foundation represents a step toward healing, a way to ensure that the stories Meir's family, and all those lost in the Holocaust, are not forgotten. We are dedicated to preserving the cemetery, educating the world about the Holocaust, and honoring the memories of those who perished, including this in the family who were killed in 2 actions. The 1st action on the eve of Yom Kippur in 1942 and the 2nd, the eve of Purim on March 20, 1943, as part of the annihilation of the intelligentsia. 

 

Together, we can ensure that the legacies of the Gerichter, Granek, and countless other families from Częstochowa live on—through our music, through education, and in the sacred ground of the cemetery where they rest.

 

Thank you for being part of this journey.