In Memory of Alex Dancyg z”l
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The Claims Conference mourns the loss of Holocaust historian Alex Dancyg, z”l. It is with great sadness that we share that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the death of Alex Dancyg at some point during his captivity by Hamas. Alex, a 76-year-old educator of the Holocaust and Polish-Jewish history, was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz. On Alex’s 76th birthday, his son Yuval wrote a tribute to his father, “My dear and beloved father. Today, you are 76 years old, two months have passed, and you have exceeded the age of the country.”
Yuval joined us this past June at our Board meeting and explained that beyond his 30 years of work for Yad Vashem and bringing the world closer through education, Alex “is a father and a grandfather. He has four children and thirteen grandchildren, who want him back home to hug him again.”
Yad Vashem’s Chairman, Dani Dayan, stated, “Today, we deeply grieve the loss of our cherished and esteemed colleague, Alex Dancyg.” The statement continued, “Alex’s essence embodied both in spirit and substance, his love for the land and thirst for knowledge. His vast library at his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz reflected his deep connection between his cherished Israeli and Jewish identity and his Polish birthplace. Alex successfully integrated these perspectives into his teaching of the events of World War II in general, and of the Holocaust in particular. The news of his tragic death strengthens our commitment to ensure that Alex’s legacy and the stories he passionately preserved are never forgotten.”
Alex is survived by his four children and many grandchildren, to whom the Claims Conference extends our deepest condolences. To borrow the words of Alex’s son, Yuval, “We’ve been tested. It’s been over nine months already, and no light.” The death of Alex Dancyg will undoubtedly affect his friends, family, colleagues and his life’s work of passing on the memory of the Holocaust. We at the Claims Conference promise to continue Alex’s light and continue to educate future generations about the Holocaust and the contributions of Alex Dancyg to this end.
May his memory be a blessing.
