About Korczak

Building a Better World

Janusz Korczak (Henryk Goldszmit) – 1878/79–1942

The Jewish – Polish book and play author, medical doctor and pedagogue, one of the pioneers of the movement for the rights of the child. He was a social activist, a court expert on children's issues, and a founder of the children's newspaper "Mały Przegląd" (The Little Review) in Warsaw, Poland. Amongst other pedagogical enterprises, he was a co-founder of the "Dom Sierot" and "Nasz Dom" orphanages for Jewish and Polish children. Korczak regarded the child as a full person from the day of his birth. In his educational way he implemented values of mutual respect for the child and all mankind. He strived for the concern for the weak and responsibility towards others, self-management, work as a value, social justice and seeing the child as a partner. In his educational approach to the child, Korczak was way ahead of his time. Korczak gave lectures and took part in public debates. In the 30's, he collaborated with the Polish radio under the pseudonym "Stary Doktor" (The Old Doctor). He wrote both for adults and children published more than 20 books and about 1500 texts distributed in various magazines. His distinctive style can be felt throughout his whole written legacy. In August 1942, he was deported from the Warsaw ghetto and was killed in a German death camp in Treblinka.