Alexander Dancyg

Alex Dancyg, born in Poland in 1948 to Holocaust survivors, is a well-known Holocaust educator and activist for Jewish-Polish relations. Alex Dancyg has been missing since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Kibbutz Nir Oz, located just a few kilometers east of the southern Gaza Strip.

The last contact with Alex was on the morning of October 7, around 8:30 a.m. Roughly two hours earlier, Alex had initially called his son Mati, also in Nir Oz, warning of the arrival of Hamas. Since then, there has been no communication from him. The attack on Nir Oz resulted in a brutal massacre, with at least 25 residents murdered by Hamas terrorists, and around 80 individuals either held hostage or missing.

On October 18, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) informed Dancyg's family that a signal from his phone was traced to Gaza, confirming his status as one of the captives. This news has left his family deeply concerned, especially considering Dancyg's medical history. He had undergone heart surgery several years ago and requires medication for his condition.

During the attack, Dancyg's ex-wife and grandchildren were also on the kibbutz. Fortunately, they managed to survive by hiding in a safe room, with his ex-wife holding the door shut to protect herself and her granddaughters from the terrorists.

Alex Dancyg is described as a unique and compassionate individual with extensive knowledge, a phenomenal memory, and a dedication to Holocaust education. He has spent his life teaching about the Holocaust and training educators, including Yad Vashem guides and Polish educators, on how to teach about this dark period in history. Dancyg has received recognition in Poland for his work, including awards from the Polish president and the Polish Ministry of Education.

Efforts to raise awareness about his abduction and to secure his release have gained international attention. Murals with the hashtag "StandWithAlex" have been painted in Warsaw, and a vigil was held in his honor in Warsaw's Grzybowski Square.