Alexander Dancyg

Alexander (Alex) Dancyg is son to Holocaust survivors and one of the founders of the journeys to Poland, who trained thousands of guides to that destination. He is a world-renowned Polish-Israeli activist and a highly respected historian and educator on the study of the Holocaust. Alex's life's work, holding both Polish and Israeli citizenship, is the Israeli-Polish dialogue.
"Dad has a very serious lineage," says his son Matti, "he is a descendant of Abraham Dancyg, who wrote the book 'Human Life’, (חיי אדם), which is a codex for ‘Shulchan Aruch’ (שולחן ערוך). He really loved to use this lineage in arguments with religious and ultra-Orthodox people, and people who really know ‘Shulchan Aruch’ were very enthusiastic about it."
Alex is a curious person, loves to read, a history enthusiast, and a devoted fan of all sports. "Jovial, somewhat cynical, charismatic, knowledgeable, the most interesting lecturer, a unique and captivating personality," says Keshet Bar Yadin, one of Alex’s students at a youth coaching course.
Alex was kidnapped to the Gaza Strip on Saturday October 7 from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Alex was abducted in poor health, following a major cardiac event he experienced.
His friends in Poland opened a Facebook page for him, where they post photos, memories, and requests to bring him home. "We always knew how strong and beloved Dad was in Poland, but we did not understand the order of magnitude," his son Yuval shared. "His friends and admirers want to see him come home, and are doing everything they can to make it happen."


Alex has four children and eight grandchildren. He was eagerly awaiting the bar mitzvah of his only grandson, which was supposed to take place five days after his abduction. Yuval shares: "My son indeed had his bar mitzvah, because it is forbidden to postpone, but it was very difficult without dad."
Alex’s ex-wife Rachel, who also lives on the kibbutz, miraculously survived along with her grandchildren. Alex's son Matti and his family, and daughter Lee and her family luckily survived the attack as well.
Rachel's brother, Itzik Elgarat, was also kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on that tragic Saturday. Their families and the Nir Oz community anxiously await their safe return home.