In Memoriam Irena Eugenia Pipes

American Friends of POLIN Museum mourns the loss of Irena Eugenia Pipes, a dear friend of POLIN Museum, who passed away on July 31, 2023, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was born on November 28, 1924, in Warsaw. After her father was arrested by the German’s in 1939, the family fled northeast. They were reunited with him and fled to Stockholm and from there, to New York City, arriving on January 27, 1940. On September 1, 1946, she married Richard Pipes, whom she had met while attending Cornell University, where she studied architecture.  

Irene cared deeply for her Jewish heritage and Polish culture. Her family was integrated into Polish society, but maintained strong Jewish values. In the 1980’s, she attempted to improve the relationships between Poles and Jews. Irene’s background made her an ideal intermediary to alleviate tensions and hostility.  She understood that Poles and Jews needed to look at their common history and accept the positive and negative aspects as way to move forward.

Irene served as President of the American Association for Polish-Jewish Studies from the early 1990s, using her diplomatic talents to foster dialogue and discussion on difficult and divisive issues. She was a strong supporter of the Association's quarterly newsletter, “Gazeta," and its yearbook, "Polin: Studies in Polish Jewry." Irene was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for her immeasurable contributions to Polish-Jewish understanding.  

May her memory be a blessing.

Recollections from her son Daniel Pipes and Antony Polonsky, Chief Historian of POLIN Museum