Photo: Borderland’s Documentation Centre

Volume 22, No. 3 Gazeta Fall 2015

A quarterly publication of the American Association for Polish-Jewish Studies and Taube Foundation for Jewish Life & Culture Editorial & Design: Fay Bussgang, Julian Bussgang, Shana Penn, Vera Hannush, Alice Lawrence, Maayan Stanton, LaserCom Design. Front Cover Photo: Borderland’s Documentation Centre. Back Cover Image: Moshe Rynecki

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from Irene Pipes ...... iv

Message from Tad Taube and Shana Penn ...... 1 HISTORY & CULTURE Invisible Bridge, “A Tale of Coexistence” Krzysztof Czyżewski ...... 2 Ringelblum Archive Full Edition: Why So Late? Dr. Eleonora Bergman ...... 5 SCHOLARSHIP & CONFERENCES “Curating Culture/Making Memory” POLIN Museum’s Chief Curator To Speak at Bay Area Venues Vera Hannush ...... 8

“Doikeyt, Diaspora, Borderlands: Imagining Polish Jewish Territories” Preparations for the 3rd Annual International Polish Jewish Studies Workshop Dr. Karen Underhill ...... 9

“European Jewish Cemeteries”: A Cross-Disciplinary Conference Ruth Ellen Gruber ...... 13

Rywka’s Diary: The Writings of a Jewish Girl from the Łódź Ghetto Edited by Dr. Anita Friedman Dr. Yedida Kanfer ...... 17

IN THE NEWS Postcards from the Warsaw Ghetto Are Donated to the Jewish Historical Institute Collection ...... 19 A New Museum Dedicated to Poles Saving Jews Julian and Fay Bussgang ...... 20 The Museum of Jewish Soldiers in World War II Julian and Fay Bussgang ...... 21 ii n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 MILESTONES POLIN Museum Update Dr. Dariusz Stola ...... 22 JCC Warsaw Celebrates its Second Anniversary ...... 26

AWARDS How Michael Alpert Brought Klezmer into the 21st Century Jake Marmer ...... 27

The Late Dr. Jan Kulczyk Is Honored at the Irena Sendler Memorial Tribute ...... 29 Kraków Jewish Culture Festival Receives Prize Vera Hannush ...... 30

EXHIBITIONS “Shoah” Exhibit at Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Shana Penn ...... 31

BOOK REVIEWS Jewish Publications in Poland Maayan Stanton ...... 34

Polin: Studies in Polish Jewry, Vol. 28 “Jewish Writing in Poland” Dr. Antony Polonsky ...... 36

Native Foreigners: Jewish-Polish Poetry between the World Wars Selected and Translated by Aniela and Jerzy Gregorek. Illustrated by Jerzy Feiner Reviewed by Alyssa A. Lappen ...... 38

Hitler’s Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields By Wendy Lower Reviewed by Shana Penn ...... 41

FILM PROJECTS “Who Will Write Our History” Roberta Grossman ...... 44 “Chasing Portraits” Elizabeth Rynecki ...... 46

EDUCATION/HERITAGE TOURISM A Journey of Learning: 1,000 Years of Polish Jewish History along the Vistula River Raquel Rosenbloom ...... 48

GAZETA FALL 2015 n iii President of the Message from American Association for Polish-Jewish Studies Irene Pipes Founder of Gazeta

Dear ​Members and Friends,

I have ​recently returned from spending three weeks in Poland, most of it in my native Warsaw and three days in Lublin. We also visited Zamość, a beautiful small town that was never destroyed, evidenced by its original and beautifully preserved 18th-century architecture. Each visit to Poland brings some surprises. This time it was the general level of prosperity, the high prices of food, rents, real estate values, and the crowded high-priced restaurants. Everywhere you look there is a “remont” (“renovations”) sign: people are replacing doors, windows, and whole kitchens, for most of the houses were built in Soviet times out of poor-quality materials. It looks almost as if everyone owns a car, judging by the bumper to bumper traffic, even though a gallon of gas costs $8. Irene Pipes

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr​ . Dariusz Stola, ​the new director of the POLIN Museum, who loves his work and is doing a great job. He told me that about 7,000 people visit the Museum every day. He ​kindly ​arranged a guided tour for​ me and my granddaughter. One has to visit the Museum many times to see it all and appreciate the work that went into it.

​On behalf of the AAPJS, ​I would like to welcome Wladek Bartoszewski,​ who plans to work with us in the future. Patronymic son of the celebrated World War II resistance fighter, he is an academic historian who has written extensively on Polish Jewish history. He and his wife and two daughters live in Poland.

Happy ​Holidays to all, Irene Pipes President aapjstudies.org iv n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 Message from Chairman and Executive Director Tad Taube and of the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life & Culture Shana Penn

e are pleased to join with the American Association for Polish-Jewish Studies to present this third online issue of WGazeta, a quarterly publication dedicated to reporting on Polish Jewish studies and related projects in Poland, the United States, and elsewhere. This issue has a gratifying proportion of news that is positive, even upbeat. The POLIN Museum’s director, in his report on the first full year of operation, describes a strong public interest in the newly opened Core Exhibition, which has drawn rave media reviews and visitors from around the world. Other stories report on innovative cultural and social bridge- building programs in eastern Poland, on the continued appeal and success of the summer study tours hosted by the Taube Center

for the Renewal of Jewish Life in Poland, and on the imaginative Tad Taube and moving new Shoah exhibit at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. Equally impressive are the many book and film reviews, which attest to a growing interest in frank explorations of Polish Jewish life before, during, and after the Nazi occupation.

Gazeta’s mission is to provide insight about people and events across generations, cultures, and social perspectives. This issue does exactly that, and also something else. Its stories describe the fruition of years of work by many dedicated people in lands stretching from Poland to Chicago to California. Granted that the world offers many serious challenges, we hope you will enjoy this moment of fulfillment.

Best regards, Tad Taube and Shana Penn Shana Penn Chairman and Executive Director

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 1 . By Krzysztof Czyzewski HISTORY & CULTURE Founder of the Borderland Foundation and the Borderland Invisible Bridge, Centre of Arts, Cultures, “A Tale of Coexistence” and Nations

Tale of Coexistence” is an ongoing program “Aof the International Centre of Dialogue in Krasnogruda, on the Polish-Lithuanian border, and the Borderland Centre in Sejny. Its concept and philosophy grow from the idea of deep culture, embedded in the social and natural environments and oriented toward the long process that leads to social transformation. Developed by the Borderland Centre, the program seeks a new, more extensive form of art and education based Village of Bridge Builders, International Centre of Dialogue in Krasnogruda, August on dialogue and human 13-23, 2015. Photo: Borderland’s Documentation Centre coexistence. “A Tale of Its title refers to one of the “Invisible Bridge” will Coexistence” was launched in biggest challenges facing the be a permanent artistic 2013-14 with “Medea: Other contemporary world – the installation-sculpture in – Different – Own,” which art of building bridges in Krasnogruda Park that will included an art and education diverse multicultural urban serve as the core for the art workshop, two symposiums, and regional communities. of building bridges in the a dramatic happening, and a Taking inspiration from Italo contemporary world. It will concert. Calvino’s book Invisible never be closed or completed. Cities, “Invisible Bridge” Two towers symbolizing art The next phase of the emphasizes the value of and knowledge – and also program is “Invisible Bridge,” immateriality in the art of separate identities, cultures, which opened on the 25th building that which is human, and individuals – frame the anniversary of the Borderland that which constitutes the bridge’s structure. Travelers Foundation (founded 1990) connective tissue of social seeking to cross need to and will run until May 2016. value and solidarity. obtain the “access code” by

2 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 deciphering a rich system of “Invisible Bridge” is “Music of Place,” “Childhood signs and symbols within the a journey deep into Secrets,” “Art-Mask,” structure. the memory of the “Nature,” “Weaving,” “Image and Modern Media,” “Bridge History is full of broken borderlands, a place Library,” and “Pantry.” The bridges on religious, national, where people transcend workshops are hosted by and social frontiers. Today’s themselves, encounter renowned artists, cultural multicultural world faces the others, and try to build a animators, and teachers challenge of learning the art experienced in teaching art in of building bridges that lead community of dialogue. multicultural communities. to dialogue, reconciliation, and the strengthening of social with others and the risk of “Bridge Academy” is a series bonds. “Invisible Bridge” transgression, but also with of seminars based on books, is a journey deep into the the blurring of borders, the movies, texts, and other memory of the borderlands, a clash of traditional values with activities that provide a basis place where people transcend innovation and globalization, for discussion. The invited themselves, encounter others, and the endangered participants and guests include and try to build a community community and the ethos of animators of intercultural of dialogue. Whether dialogue. dialogue through art, social construction of the bridge activity, and science from turns out to be cleansing or The bridge-building is done various parts of the world, destructive will depend on through local memory and the including the Caucasus, the the knowledge gained of the creativity of the inhabitants, Balkans, the United States, secrets of its construction. through arts and education Uganda, Colombia, Israel, workshops attended by the Ukraine, Norway, and How can we use heritage residents of Sejny and the Lithuania. and historical experience to fifteen villages within the build a culture of solidarity region of Krasnogruda, among Adaptable as a space for in a world of growing whom are Poles, Lithuanians, meetings, workshops, and divisions, inequality, and and Russians. The names of educational events, the bridge exclusion? “Invisible Bridge” the workshops hint at their will also be available as a confronts us with questions content: “Bridge,” “Word gallery space for exhibits and about the art of coexisting and Story,” “Deep Song,” multimedia presentations.

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 3 Invisible Bridge, continued

Pogranicze) in Sejny. The Most importantly, the bridge “Invisible Bridge” will be the scene of theatrical Foundation, established in spectacles, symbolically confronts us with 1990, combines hands-on connecting the shore of questions about the cultural activism with literary Krasnogruda – a specific local art of coexisting with and intellectual endeavors to recover the East European community contributing to others and the risk its construction – with the borderlands’ diverse and shore of “Others,” a partner of transgression, but multilingual heritage. community representing also with the blurring Mr. Czyżewski also established global factors such as of borders, the clash the Borderland Centre of Arts, innovation, painful memories, Cultures, and Nations in 1991 of traditional values minorities, and the natural and Borderland Publishing environment. with innovation and House (Wydawnictwo globalization, and the Pogranicze), as well as the Although the bridge in endangered community magazine Krasnogruda, in Krasnogruda is fixed and 1993. His publishing house and the ethos of permanent, the bridge-building was the first to print Jan concept is portable and dialogue. T. Gross’s transformative mobile. Plans are therefore historical account Neighbors underway to build invisible publishing, are related to (Sąsiedzi) in 2000. In 2014 he bridges in other regions and the multicultural heritage received Israel’s prestigious countries, including Norway, of the Polish-Lithuanian Dan David Prize. In 2015, Israel-Galilee, and Mostar in Commonwealth. n he was the co-recipient of Bosnia and Herzegovina. the Irena Sendler Memorial http://pogranicze.sejny. Award, given annually by The International Centre for pl/?lang=en Taube Philanthropies to Dialogue in Krasnogruda Polish citizens who have been was opened in 2011 in Krzysztof Czyżewski, a social exemplary in preserving and the former mansion of the activist, scholar, and pioneer revitalizing their country’s family of Nobel Prize winner in multicultural engagement Jewish heritage. Czesław Miłosz. Its activities, in Poland, is the founding including workshops, director of the Borderland courses, scholarships, and Foundation (Fundacja

4 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 Ringelblum Archive By Dr. Eleonora Bergman Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Full Edition: Historical Institute, Warsaw Why So Late?

here is no doubt, and research were done that the discovery under the code name Oneg “Tof Dr. Ringelblum’s archive Shabbat / Oyneg Shabes (Joy is a turning point in our of Shabbat), conceived and knowledge of the history led by distinguished Polish of the Warsaw Ghetto,” Jewish historian Emanuel wrote Hersh Wasser after Ringelblum. Operating by the retrieval of part of the consensus, raising funds remarkable archive that had among themselves, and been clandestinely assembled using methods developed at and then carefully buried YIVO, the group believed that during the Nazi occupation. their efforts would provide “Materials and documents in testimony to the history and this archive will be the basis fate of the tens of thousands of of any work about the lives of Jews who had been forced into Unpacking the first part of the retrieved archive, after September 18, Warsaw Jews – the heart of the Ghetto during the German 1946. Photo: Emanuel Ringelblum Polish Jewry.” The first trove, occupation. Jewish Historical Institute in ten tin boxes, was retrieved on September 18, 1946, We do not know how big the become great economists, owing partly to Wasser’s group was, perhaps not more Cecylia Słapak would have recollections. The second part, than a few dozen members. continued her pioneer gender in two milk cans, was found Of the people gathered around studies, and Yecheskel almost accidentally four years Ringelblum, some were Wilczynski would have later, in December 1950. already well known, like published numerous articles Janusz Korczak and Perec on the history of Polish Jews Wasser was one of the few Opoczyński. Others became in the 19th century. survivors of the group that had known for their work in the organized and carried out a Ghetto, like Rabbi Shimon The group had collected comprehensive and systematic Huberband or pedagogue enough material by early effort, right under the noses Aron Koniński. We can also 1942 that they started to of the Nazis, to preserve imagine that if they had plan a synthesis. They gave documents about life in the survived, Menachem Linder their project the title “Two Ghetto. The documentation and Jerzy Winkler would have and a Half Years of War”

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 5 Ringelblum Archive, continued

and the subtitle “Reflections, Evaluations, and Perspectives for the Future.” It was to be “Call to Resistance” flyer of the Jewish Fighting Organization. a book of over 2,000 pages, Photo: Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute divided into four parts: The archival material Much too much time has General, Economic, Cultural- passed.” Therefore, it is Scientific-Literary-Artistic, reveals the internal legitimate to ask, What makes and On Social Welfare. They tensions within the the task so difficult? expected it to describe the Jewish community. history of the Jews under The unimaginable There are some good reasons. the Nazi occupation – total The first is just the sheer annihilation being beyond persecution brought out volume – more than 35,000 their imagination, despite both the best and worst pages of material, much of it their dealing with death in those enduring it... copies of copies, representing every day. But they never We know that some of some 6,000 documents, many succeeded in completing of them in handwriting, many their planned work. the earlier publications were censored. But as so damaged and hardly legible. Approximately 90% are in The group hoped that after much time has already Polish and Yiddish, more the war the documents would passed, our edition may or less half and half, the be retrieved and quickly remaining 10% in Hebrew and made public. The retrieval remain free of such German. Much of the material occurred as hoped (except for reservations and paint remains anonymous, though some items never located), a full picture of the thanks to slips of paper that but the publication process hardships of Ghetto life. Wasser attached to documents moved slowly. In 1986 before he left for Israel in Joseph Kermish wrote in the the [Oneg Shabbat] materials 1948, we know a little more introduction to his edition of has been published in spite of about the work of individual selected archive documents, Ringelblum’s desire that ‘after members of the group. To Live with Honor and Die the war it will be necessary with Honor, published by Yad to publish as fast as possible’ The documents cover a Vashem: “It is most regrettable the material collected with so vast range of topics. The that only a very small part of much toil, devotion and risk.

6 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 Drawing by Rozenfeld (first name unknown), Death of a Irene Pipes (second from right) and others visit the Cart Driver’s Wife. Photo: Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Ringelblum Archive. Historical Institute archive’s leaders drafted a So far, fifteen volumes have The final problem lay in the plan embracing some ninety been printed, five more will contents themselves. The subjects. Separate plans be issued this year, and the archival material reveals were done for other Jewish remaining ones are in various the internal tensions within communities and ghettos, stages of preparation. The the Jewish community. The for Jewish youth, for Polish- project should be completed unimaginable persecution Jewish relations, for German- by the end of 2017. brought out both the best Jewish relations, etc. Not and worst in those enduring everything was completed, When the Archive was packed it. We learn how people in and the division of collected in August 1942 and February the Warsaw Ghetto reacted documents into thematic units 1943, no order could have to the challenges brought has been a challenge. been kept. During our work with every new wave of on the new catalogue, many deportees and refugees. Were Ruta Sakowska started the things were discovered, the editors afraid of showing systematic plan for the full and pieces of files were put this to the larger public? We edition in the early 1990s, together. However, editor know that some of the earlier after the great political change Tadeusz Epsztein wrote: publications were censored. in Poland. From her vision “The present division of the But as so much time has of some twenty volumes, materials facilitates access to already passed, our edition we came eventually to thirty- particular documents, but it will remain free of such five. Beginning in 1996, the does not solve all the problems reservations and paint a full project got a new impetus concerning search for concrete picture of the hardships of with a grant received from persons, institutions, localities, Ghetto life. n the Polish Government in or subjects.” We hope that 2012 for approximately for this kind of research the http://www.jhi.pl/en/ $700,000. Internet edition will be most blog/2014-10-08-ringelblum- helpful. archive

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 7 SCHOLARSHIP & CONFERENCES “Curating Culture/ By Vera Hannush Making Memory” Taube Philanthropies POLIN Museum’s Chief Curator To Speak at Bay Area Venues

OLIN Chief Curator Dr. Barbara Kirshenblatt- PGimblett will be the keynote speaker at the conference “Curating Culture/Making Memory,” organized by the Graduate Theological Union’s Center for Jewish Studies, UC Berkeley Jewish Studies, and the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art & Life on April 3, 2016. Local scholars, curators, and guest speakers including Dr. Jeffrey Shandler (Chair and Professor of Jewish Studies, Rutgers Dr. Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett. Photo: POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews University) will engage Dr. Kirshenblatt-Gimblett chronicles the reconstruction Dr. Kirshenblatt-Gimblett in discussions about POLIN of an 18th-century wooden will also speak at the Museum and the broader synagogue that serves as Contemporary Jewish Museum themes of the relationship the centerpiece of the (April 4), JCC between social history POLIN Museum. San Francisco (April 4), and and civic life in Poland, Stanford University (April 5). and new developments in The synagogue reconstruction For more information, Jewish culture. project is the brainchild please contact: of Handshouse Studio, whose [email protected] The conference will kick co-directors, Rick and off with a special screening Laura Brown, will be of “Raise the Roof,” the featured guest speakers at compelling documentary the film showing and during produced by Cary and the afternoon discussions Yari Wolinsky, which (handshouse.org). n

8 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 By Dr. Karen Underhill “Doikeyt, Diaspora, Borderlands: Department of Slavic & Baltic Languages & Literatures Imagining Polish Jewish Territories” University of Illinois at Chicago

Preparations for the 3rd Annual International Polish Jewish Studies Workshop

April 10-12, 2016, the UIC campus to explore the Princeton, on the cultural the University of complex cultural and historical politics of Polish Jewish OnIllinois at Chicago’s Program dynamics that link these discourse and memory within in Polish Jewish Studies communities to each other and contemporary Poland today. will be co-hosting the 3rd to their shared heritage. Annual International Polish Building Momentum and Jewish Studies Workshop, Panels will explore a variety International Cooperation entitled “Doikeyt, Diaspora, of key questions. As our use The Polish Jewish Studies Borderlands: Imagining Polish of concepts such as Polin, Initiative, founded in 2013, Jewish Territories.” This three- Yiddishland, the Polish is an international and day academic conference and Lithuanian Commonwealth, interdisciplinary working workshop will be devoted to and borderlands changes, group of scholars from the exploring key developments how is that altering how we humanities and social sciences and new directions in the study and teach the history involved in research and growing field of Polish Jewish and cultures of this pluralist teaching at the intersection studies, with a particular and multilingual region, and of Polish and Jewish focus on changing scholarly how is it affecting research studies. Research and public approaches to Polish Jewish agendas, methodologies, and engagement at this exciting territories, both geographical the types of curricula we intersection have been and imaginary. The partner create? How are postnational growing and changing rapidly. hosts of the workshop are and transnational scholarly We designed the Polish Jewish Princeton University, Ohio paradigms influencing our Studies Workshop as an State University, the Adam understanding of the cultural annual forum that facilitates Mickiewicz Institute, and the spaces we encounter, such conversation and exchange of YIVO Institute for Jewish as the cosmopolitan café, ideas among the international Research. the Polish interwar political actors who are involved in arena, and modernist art the transformation of Polish The workshop will combine movements? The discussion Jewish narratives but who scholarly panel discussions of such questions will deepen rarely have the opportunity with cultural public the analyses begun in the to share their expertise in programming and bring two previous gatherings of one place. The workshop members of the Polish and the Polish Jewish Studies also welcomes the directors Jewish diasporas together at Initiative, at Ohio State and

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 9 Doikeyt, Diaspora, Borderlands, continued

of engaged philanthropic scholars who are offering new The opening of the POLIN organizations that are playing paradigms for understanding Museum represents the most a central role in encouraging the emergence and historical visible and striking example of the reevaluation and trajectories of Polish and recent changes in terminology transformation of narratives of Jewish modernities. Among and understanding. With the the Jewish past and present in them are POLIN Museum opening of the museum’s Core Poland. lead historian Dr. Samuel Exhibition, the term “Polin” Kassow of Trinity College; has reentered public discourse. The April 2016 workshop will Krzysztof Czyżewski, It shifts the language that convene approximately 40 founder and director of the educators, the media, and scholars and representatives Borderlands Foundation in communities worldwide are of cultural institutions from Sejny; Karolina Szymaniak of using to talk about Poland as Poland, the United States, the Jewish Historical Institute a space of both shared and Israel, and France for a in Warsaw and founder of separate cultural histories: program of panels, featured the Yiddish cultural journal Jewish, Polish, Polish- keynote lectures, and cultural Cwiszn; Marcin Wodziński, Jewish, and also more broadly programming open to the director of Jewish Studies at pluralist, inclusive of multiple public, including a film the University of Wrocław and ethnic and linguistic traditions showing “Raise the Roof” lead historian of the POLIN and experiences. (The Gwoździec Synagogue Museum; Andrzej Leder, Similarly, since the 1989 Project), an evening musical whose recent book, Prześniona transition to democracy performance, and an art Rewolucja (Sleeping through in Poland and the former exhibition on Polish/Jewish the Revolution), revises our Soviet republics, the term Avant-gardes of the interwar understanding of Polish “borderlands” (Pogranicze) period that will be installed at modernity; historian Kenneth has transformed the way that UIC’s Daley Library. Moss, director of Jewish Polish and Polish-Jewish Studies at Johns Hopkins scholars talk about these Participants and keynote University; and Jonathan same territories. Rather than speakers will include Brent, director of the YIVO viewing and teaching from the individuals who have Institute for Jewish Studies in perspective of the sovereign pioneered new approaches New York. or the occupied, majority- to understanding Polish and Catholic nation-state, scholars Polish-Jewish space, and are increasingly approaching

10 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 historically Polish lands as The concepts of would now be understood to a space of multilingual and nativeness and include not only ethnic Poles multicultural encounter, in otherness, exile and living outside the country, but which each culture has been all those living throughout the shaped by and through its belonging, heritage world whose ancestors once constant interaction with other and responsibility are emigrated from historically cultures and languages native being reconsidered in Polish lands. He welcomed to the region. At the same an age that emphasizes Jews worldwide to consider time, the concept and uses of themselves part of the Polish “multiculturalism” are put into postnational and diaspora, and asked the Polish question, as scholars explore transnational models. government to think of them the dynamics of dominance this way as well. and peripherality in Poland’s Polish Jewish narratives are pluralistic society. doikeyt – a Yiddish term Simultaneously, within meaning “hereness” – and American Jewish Indeed, the very concepts diaspora. How are these terms, communities, whose younger of nativeness and otherness, together with the concept of generations have for over exile and belonging, heritage the multicultural or pluralist half a century visited Poland and responsibility are being borderland, acquiring new exclusively as a place of reconsidered in an age that resonance within scholarly Holocaust commemoration, emphasizes postnational and communal discourses, educational heritage programs and transnational models for particularly as hybrid are now taking shape that understanding how societies postnational or transnational understand Poland and former and cultures develop, as well models for the construction of Polish territories as sources as how diasporic and émigré the Jewish, Polish, and Polish of heritage, self-knowledge, communities understand their Jewish cultural imaginaries? inspiration, and living Jewish relations to the lands and identity. The language used territories of their ancestors. In a June 2013 speech to the by such programs draws on Sejm, then-Polish Minister and revives the concept of Doikeyt and Diaspora of Foreign Affairs Radosław doikeyt, affirming Ashkenazi Two terms that have Sikorski introduced a new Jewish culture as native to and historically carried strong vocabulary, explaining that inseparable from the European emotional resonance within the term “Polish diaspora” lands in which it developed.

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 11 Doikeyt, Diaspora, Borderlands, continued

To examine how these Current sponsors of the changes are being reflected in 2016 workshop include the academic world, the 2016 the Adam Mickiewicz UIC gathering will include Institute, the Stefan & a “hands-on” workshop in Lucy Hejna Fund at UIC, curriculum development. the Copernicus Program It will introduce the Polish in Polish Studies at the Jewish Studies digital University of Michigan, humanities initiative, geared and the UIC Fund for toward producing curriculum Polish-Jewish Studies. materials and syllabi for online dissemination to The events of the educators seeking to bring 3rd Annual Polish Jewish the study of Polish and Studies Workshop will be Jewish cultures and histories held April 10-12, on the together in the classroom, campus of the University and to encourage dissertation of Illinois at Chicago, and Pale of Settlement, 1835-1917 projects in Polish Jewish are open to the public. (Jewish Virtual Library) studies. Interested participants and institutions will meet following the conference For more information please contact Karen to discuss plans to create a Underhill, summer graduate institute UIC Department of Slavic in Polish Jewish studies & Baltic Languages & n curriculum development. Literatures [email protected]

12 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 “European Jewish Cemeteries”: By Ruth Ellen Gruber A Cross-Disciplinary Jewish Heritage Europe Conference

cross-disciplinary n To encourage future education; tourism; conference on Jewish collaboration among cultural heritage; art and Acemeteries in Europe, held participating individuals architecture; historical October 25-28 in Vilnius, and organizations, exploring source through epitaphs Lithuania, gathered some how they can work together, and inscriptions; genealogy, 60 experts from more than a encourage cross-border etc.) dozen countries and touched on opportunities, and consider n Cemetery restoration — a wide range of topics within further strategic co-operation. what to do; how to do it; the broad framework of theory, historical perspectives policy, management, and Participants also were taken n Ownership and accessibility dissemination of information. on visits to half a dozen of information Jewish cemeteries and sites Organized by the Rothschild of mass graves in Vilnius n Different approaches to Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe and several other towns: preservation: fencing; and hosted by the Lithuanian Pabradė, Švenčionėliai, and documentation Jewish community, the Švenčionys. n Jewish cemeteries as part conference was a specialized of European and World follow-up to the working The introductory keynote on Heritage (including efforts seminar on managing Jewish today’s needs and challenges to get Jewish cemeteries built heritage held in Kraków was given by Dr. Michael including on UNESCO’s in April 2013. Brocke, Professor of Jewish cultural heritage roster) Studies at the Steinheim n The role of the Internet The conference had three Institute in Germany, and in documentation; core aims: a noted scholar on Jewish dissemination; attracting n cemetery preservation, To review the achievements interest in preservation since Kraków, including documentation, and epigraphy. n Advances in the use of new trends in technology Specific sessions at the technology n To explore key issues conference focused on: n Cemeteries and scholarship through a series of n n roundtable and panel The value of a Jewish Building stakeholder discussions cemetery (Jewish law; relationships — among and honoring the dead; between owners and other

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 13 European Jewish Cemeteries, continued

interested parties (Jewish communities; descendants; municipalities; NGOs, etc.) There was also a session devoted to the situation of Jewish cemeteries in The Jewish cemetery in Švenčionys, Lithuania. Photo: Ruth Ellen Gruber Lithuania (which are owned by municipalities). These included: “We are a macro type n organization,” he said. “We The conference concluded The difference in general don’t have attachments … with a screening of “A Town approaches in cemetery to the inside of a cemetery. Called Brzostek,” an award- care, preservation, and We deal with protection and winning film by Simon Target management. This was preservation, not renovation that documents, step by step, perhaps best illustrated in and restoration. We think that the process of restoring and the contrast between what the fact that we can protect rededicating the ravaged can be called the “macro” a site from the outside will Jewish cemetery in the village and “micro” approaches make it easier for [others] of Brzostek, in southeastern The macro approach is best to come in [and work on Poland, spearheaded by UK illustrated by that of the restoration].” scholar Dr. Jonathan Webber, recently created European whose grandfather came from Jewish Cemetery Project ESJF, This was in sharp contrast the town. Webber introduced funded by private donors to the “micro” approach as the film and spoke about the and the German government, outlined by Jonathan Webber, experience. whose aim, as outlined by with the Brzostek project, https://www.youtube.com/ its CEO Philip Carmel, is to and by Dr. Michael Lozman, watch?v=hEimaiyrmos erect fences around as as many who has spearheaded the Jewish cemeteries in Europe restoration of more than a Several key themes emerged as possible, but not engage in dozen Jewish cemeteries. from presentations, other clean-up, restoration, These approaches emphasize discussions, and what documentation or further close cooperation and conference participants saw on maintenance. involvement with local the ground during site visits.

14 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 “There is a need for practical but sustainable solutions,” said Martynas Užpelkis, who coordinates Jewish heritage preservation issues for the Lithuanian Jewish Dr. Michael Brocke photographs the memorial at the Vilnius Užupis cemetery, made community. “There are no from gravestones that had been plundered and used for construction under the Soviet regime. Photo: Ruth Ellen Gruber standard practices; there is a lack of knowledge. There is people in carrying out and I didn’t just invite him to a need for setting standards, maintaining Jewish cemetery come to the dedication but to or developing and monitoring projects: Lozman’s method officiate together with me and management plans for each fences cemeteries, for the Chief Rabbi to make it a cemetery; for training and example, but with low fences genuinely interfaith affair. I counseling [...] local people aimed at being indicators wanted to make an impact on who want to help ask basic of boundaries rather than as the local people. It was done questions. Can we produce physical protection. in a spirit of dialogue – that guidelines?” Jewish heritage today belongs n The value of new Webber described his to everyone. We can’t expect technologies in cemetery approach as “Jewish cultural people to look after Jewish documentation, research, diplomacy.” heritage today unless they feel that it is theirs.” restoration He said: “Don’t just parachute n The need to establish and These include, as discussed in and fix a cemetery – publish “best practice” by forensic archaeologist Dr. involve the local people, guidelines that could serve Caroline Sturdy Colls, new make them feel that it is their as models for municipalities, non-intrusive techniques project. I wasn’t aware how Jewish communities, such as ground-penetrating much the locals wanted to NGOs, and individuals on radar and other tools learn about their own local the ground; a number of that can explore Jewish history of their village. I participants raised this issue cemeteries, determine grave used a local contractor for — as did some of the local sites and boundaries, and the work, for example. And stakeholders who met during find other information even I worked with the priest; site visits when all surface evidence

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 15 European Jewish Cemeteries, continued

of the cemetery has been destroyed. Other techniques, as demonstrated by Jay Osborn, show ways in which digitizing old maps can help find borders. And Prof. Leonard Rutgers discussed new techniques that can aid in reading even very weathered inscriptions. n The need for collaboration on international and interdisciplinary levels on Jewish cemetery work “We should create a network Conference participants at the Jewish cemetery in Švenčionėliai, which was fenced and restored through the efforts of Dr. Michael Lozman. Photo: Ruth Ellen Gruber of people and institutions that takes care of cemeteries to have a permanent platform http://www.jewish-heritage- Wiśniewski, a long-time to exchange ideas and have a europe.eu/2015/11/04/ researcher, writer, and common voice,” said Dario european-jewish-cemeteries- documentarian from DiSegni, the president of a-cross-disciplinatry- Białystok, Poland: the Italian Jewish Heritage conference/%E2%80%9D Foundation, echoing a number https://www.youtube.com/ of other participants. n There is a video on watch?v=kD4wR23TLig the conference, with excerpts from some of the presentations, produced by participant Tomasz

16 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 Rywka’s Diary: The Writings of a By Dr. Yedida Kanfer Coordinator of Jewish Girl from th Lódz´ Ghetto Education Services Jewish Family & Children’s Edited by Dr. Anita Friedman Services Holocaust Center Harper Collins Publishers, 2015 Tauber Holocaust Library

ywka Lipszyc began Anita Friedman of Jewish story, to bequeath it to future “Rthe sole surviving Family and Children’s generations … Rywka was volume of her Łódź Ghetto Services in San Francisco, blessed with a name – a name diary shortly after her 14th we become intimately given to her by God. All those birthday. She filled more than acquainted with fourteen- who read Rywka’s diary will 100 handwritten pages over year-old Rywka. As Zapruder, keep her name alive.” six months from October fellow contributors, and the 1943 to April 1944, and diary text itself demonstrate, [Friday] February 11, 1944 then suddenly stopped. A this young woman derived “Write! … Only write! … year later, a Soviet doctor, enormous strength from her Then I forget about food and accompanying the Red Army’s deeply rooted faith, even everything else, about all the liberating forces, found it near while struggling with the trouble (it’s an exaggeration). the ruins of the crematoria overwhelming challenges of May God grant Surcia health in Auschwitz-Birkenau. If Ghetto life. As the excerpts and happiness, at least the diary’s journey suggests below demonstrate, Rywka’s for suggesting to me this the path Rywka took toward belief enabled her to cultivate wonderful idea that I write a almost certain death, its hope for a better future, a hope diary. Sometimes when I’m pages tell a far deeper story. built around her love for her about to write I think I won’t For in it Rywka struggled family, her love of work, and write anything, and when I to understand and express her love of writing. start writing, there is so much herself, capturing both the to tell about and I don’t know physical hardships of life in Rywka survived Auschwitz where to begin … the Ghetto and the emotional and Bergen Belsen; her fate turmoil of coming of age afterwards is unknown. Oh, it’s Friday again! Time during the Holocaust.” Nevertheless, as Hadassa goes by so fast! And for what? Halamish (the daughter of Do we know? What’s waiting So begins Alexandra one of Rywka’s surviving for us in the future? I’m Zapruder’s introduction cousins) writes at the end asking this question with both to Rywka’s Diary, recently of her contribution to the fear and youthful curiosity. published in a newly revised volume, “Rywka had the good We have an answer to this, second edition by Harper fortune to come back to us. To great answer: God and the Collins in the United States. this day, I feel her inside me. I Torah! Father God and Mother In this volume, edited by Dr. feel a pressing need to tell her Torah! They are our parents!

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 17 Omnipotent, Omniscient, This young woman … I had this picture before my Eternal!!! It’s so powerful!!! derived enormous eyes: a barely lit room, warm. A few kids are sitting at the table, In front of this I’m just a little strength from her deeply creature that can hardly be they are busy with something seen through the microscope. rooted faith, even while or they are listening to what Well … oh, I’m laughing at struggling with the I’m reading. I’m reading about the entire world – I, a poor overwhelming challenges the Ghetto, I’m telling them Jewish girl from the Ghetto stories and I can see their of Ghetto life. – I, who don’t know what surprised eyes. It’s boggling will happen to me tomorrow First: how much she suffers their minds that something like … I’m laughing at the before and after she gives birth that could happen … Oh, I wish entire world because I have to a tiny creature, hoping that this time would come. I long a support, a great support: in the future that tiny creature for it so much. n my Faith, because I believe! will be her pride. Or when this Thanks to it I’m stronger, tiny creature gets sick? She Rywka’s diary has been richer and more worthy than will fight this sickness day published in many other others … God, I’m so grateful and night, until she beats it … countries and translated into to you!!! … or until she drops. Oh, only a French, Italian, Spanish, Mother can do that! She can Portuguese, and Slovak. [Monday] February 28, 1944 understand and sense every- Hebrew and Polish language … Oh, now Mommy would be thing. This outwardly delicate editions of the book are very happy with me … she’d woman … but at the same time currently in progress. be so glad! It wasn’t given to an all-powerful Mother! … her. She only knew pain, suf- http://www.harpercollins. fering and destitution. In short, Will I be a mother one day? com/9780062389688/ she only knew this terrible, Will I be powerful? I don’t rywkas-diary terrible life struggle … unfor- know why I’ve written this just tunately … she was defeated. now. I’ve been thinking about Editor Dr. Anita Friedman it for a long time … I feel leads Jewish Family and Well, I’d like to write a little like a mother to my brother Children’s Services (JFCS) about it … Mother!? What does and sisters. Perhaps there is a of San Francisco, one of the it mean? Who is this creature difference between those things largest and oldest family service called mother, who with great – a factual, tangible difference. institutions in the United States. pleasure suffers and gives birth I haven’t created them (my The JFCS Holocaust Center, to a new life … new. There is siblings). They were created by which originally published a part of her in this new life. the same person who created Rywka’s Diary in cooperation Oh, isn’t this mother power- me, she gave us life (why am with Lehrhaus Judaica, is ful? Extraordinary, mighty? I even writing this?). dedicated to the documentation, No doubt, yes! Nobody can do research, and remembrance of what she can do. Nobody. Even [Monday] January 17, 1944 the Holocaust. pain and suffering make her Yesterday when I was walking happy, there is evidence of that. in the street, I was dreaming

18 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 IN THE NEWS Postcards from the Warsaw Ghetto Are Donated to the Jewish Historical Institute Collection

n November 3, a never- before-seen set of O39 postcards sent from the Warsaw Ghetto to Lisbon, London, and Paris were added to the archives of the Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw.

The postcards were presented to Dr. Paweł Śpiewak, Institute Director, by Dr. Anita Prażmowska, a prominent historian at the London School of Economics who took Photo: Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute, Warsaw possession of the postcards after Tamara Deutscher, to unremitting cold (“…could information concerning Jewish whom most were addressed, we possibly get some clothes? history; hence, this is where passed away. Some warm underwear, the priceless Ringelblum stockings and a warm blouse Archive is housed – we should Tamara Deutscher, originally or sweater.”). not scatter the sadly scarce from Łódź, left Poland testimonies documenting shortly after the start of the Tamara Deutscher’s life in the Ghetto,” states war. When her family was executors decided to present Marian Turski, who serves imprisoned in the Warsaw this heartbreaking family on the Institute’s board and Ghetto, she was living in correspondence to the is the driving force behind London. The correspondence Jewish Historical Institute, the transfer of this gift to paints a chilling picture of which is the world’s leading the Institute, which has been life in the Ghetto, including repository of Warsaw Ghetto collecting such treasures the constant hunger (“I documentation. “The Jewish since 1947. n received two packages of Historical Institute is the sardines for which I am archive to which researchers eternally grateful.”), and the and families turn to search out

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 19 By Julian and A New Museum Dedicated to Fay Bussgang Co-editors Poles Saving Jews Gazeta

he Ulma Museum in Markowa, south of TŁańcut, between Rzeszów and Jarosław, is the first in Poland to commemorate Poles who helped save Jews. According to historians, 2,900 Jews were helped by more than 1,600 Poles from that region. Some 200 of these Poles were murdered by the Germans for aiding Jews. The museum is named for the Ulma family.

Józef and Wiktoria Ulma hid Rendering of the Ulma Museum in Markowa eight members of the Szall and Goldman families in occupation, and after the war. their home in Markowa. The A replica of the house of the Ulmas and their six young Ulmas will be at the heart of children, as well as the Szalls the exhibition. and Goldmans, were murdered by the Germans in March The cost of creating the 1944. In September 1995, museum, more than 7 million Yad Vashem recognized the zlotys (about $1.87 million Ulmas as Righteous Among U.S.), is being provided by the the Nations. regional administration and the state. The museum will post the names of both rescuers and victims from the “trans-Carpathian” and the exhibitions will also depict Polish Jewish relations before World War II, during the

20 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 By Julian and The Museum of Jewish Soldiers Fay Bussgang Co-editors in World War II Gazeta

srael has created the Museum of Jewish ISoldiers in World War II to honor the 1.5 million Jewish soldiers who fought in Allied armies in Europe and the Pacific, and the thousands more who fought with the Underground and partisan Rendering of the Museum of Jewish Soldiers in World War II in Latrun, Israel groups. Established during the commemoration of the British Eighth Army, or the The complete list of names 70th anniversary of the end Polish Berling Army, which of Polish fallen soldiers, of World War II, the museum was part of the Soviet Army. compiled by the Warsaw is part of the Armored Corps Central Military Archives, Memorial (Yad LaShiryon) Poland’s Central Military can be inspected at their in Latrun, east of Jerusalem. Archives in Warsaw contains website, www.caw.wp.mil. diaries, letters, photographs, pl/pl/101.html, under the file During a visit to Israel in and other personal effects heading Depozyty. Leading 2014, Agnieszka Magdziak- recovered from soldiers’ the process to collect materials Miszewska, former Polish remains, in addition to well- and information about the ambassador to Israel, noted documented personnel files. soldiers is a task force headed that an extraordinarily high However, Polish law does by Brigadier General (ret.) percentage of these Jewish not permit the transfer of Zvi Kan-Tor and the museum’s soldiers were Polish citizens the effects of a fallen soldier head curator, Dr. Tamar Ketko. or sons of Polish citizens to any museum without the who had migrated to other permission of the soldier’s Anyone who has information countries before the war. family, unless it can be about Polish Jews who were Some fought as part of the proved that no one related to fighters during World War II British Army or Royal Air the soldier is still alive. The is requested to call +972(0)8- Force, others with the Polish museum in Israel is eager 9224764 or fill out the online Second Corps (the Anders to trace the relatives of any form at www.jwmww2.org/ Army), which fought in the Polish Jewish soldiers who show_item.asp?levelId=65023 Italian campaign as part of the died in action in World War II.

21 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 GAZETA FALL 2015 n 21 MILESTONES By Dr. Dariusz Stola POLIN Museum Director POLIN Museum of the History Update of Polish Jews

he Opening of POLIN Museum’s Core TExhibition on October 28, 2014, has rightly been called a Grand Opening. For years the Museum had been operating as a cultural program or “Museum without walls,” then as a Museum without its largest and most important component. The unveiling of the Core Exhibition has elicited an enormous response both in Poland and abroad, with visitor numbers reaching Children’s programming at POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. unprecedented highs. Aside Photo: POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews from visits by the presidents press. By all measures, those and educational programs) of Poland and Israel and who supported the Museum have attracted over 70,000 hundreds of friends and through the years of its participants. Approximately donors of the Museum from construction have reason to 70% of visitors to the Core around the world, the opening be proud. Exhibition are Polish; the rest was attended by thousands come from many countries, of Warsaw residents, while with Israel, Germany, and the tens of thousands watched a Many Visitors United Kingdom in the lead. video of the inaugural concert Widespread media coverage online. During the following and positive reviews have The exhibition has attracted two months we catalogued enabled us to reach millions of many prominent figures. several thousand press articles people who otherwise would Following visits by the and Internet, radio, and TV not know about the Museum. presidents of Poland and broadcasts mentioning the Over 1 million people have Israel, we welcomed the Museum, including nearly all visited the Museum to date, current and former prime Polish newspapers and many and our programs (temporary ministers of Poland, the members of the international exhibitions, cultural events,

22 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 speakers of the Sejm, ministers Jews in Poland. As a Jewish prepared by the International and deputies, and official woman, I knew a lot about Center of Photography, delegations from the United the Holocaust but nothing featured photographs by the States and Germany. We also about the long relationship outstanding 20th-century welcomed delegations of the between my people and photographer. “The Faces of Knesset and the Bundesrat, Poland. (Marcelle, Israel) the Ghetto,” an exhibition the former president of the of pictures taken by Jewish Supreme Court of Israel, I am a Polish Jew and photographers from the and ambassadors of many the history of Polish Litzmannstadt Ghetto, was countries from Australia to Jews represents my roots prepared by the Topographie Ukraine. No less significant … I couldn’t imagine des Terrors Foundation in were visits by religious not visiting this “house Berlin and the State Archive leaders, including 50 Catholic of meetings,” so here I in Łódź. “My Jewish bishops (almost the entire am again, for the fourth Parents, My Polish Parents,” Polish Bishops’ Conference) time. (Daniel, Stockholm, prepared by the Association and the Patriarch of the Sweden) of Children of the Holocaust, Orthodox Church in Poland. told the stories of Jewish We have also received artists [I will remember] that there children born between 1939 and writers (including Steven was a ghetto in my town. and 1942, presenting both Spielberg), business leaders, (Artur, Przysucha, Poland) their Jewish parents and their and many eminent scholars. adoptive Polish parents who Exhibitions and Conferences rescued and raised them. One Visitors find the Museum an In the year since the of our staff told me he had interesting, often fascinating Grand Opening we have never seen so many people experience and one that hosted two large-scale and cry at any of our exhibitions. alters their perception of the two smaller temporary past. Several thousand have exhibitions. “How to Make To introduce the Core left comments on slips of a Museum?” described the Exhibition to experts in paper handed out at the Core creation of the Museum various related fields, we have Exhibition exit, many deeply from an idea in 1993 to full organized several conferences. moving: realization. “Roman Vishniac. Museum professionals I was surprised to learn Photography: 1920-1975,” and exhibition technology about the ancient history of specialists from over a

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 23 POLIN Museum Update, continued

Visitors find the Museum an interesting, often fascinating experience Crowds in POLIN. Photo: POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. and one that alters their perception of the past. Foundation for Jewish Life regions. “Faces of Diversity” & Culture. presents Jewish culture dozen European countries, and history within a wider Israel, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Education and Cultural framework of coexistence and India gathered at the Outreach between different ethnic, European Association of religious, and social groups. Thanks to a generous grant Jewish Museums conference By August 2015, over 16,000 from the government of and at the conference of the people had taken part in its Norway, the Museum runs a Network of Design and Digital 200 events. large and diverse educational Heritage. “Interculturalism in program. We offer various Historical Education” drew In order to reach more schools, forms of historical and 250 educators from Europe. we are working with a group civic education, largely Historians from around the of experienced teachers and through workshops (on world attended “From Ibrahim teaching methodologists 40 topics) conducted in ibn Yakub to 6 Anielewicz – POLIN Ambassadors in the Core Exhibition and Street,” the largest conference various parts of the country – in our Education Center. on the history of Jews ever who promote the Museum’s From October 2014 to to be held in Poland, as well educational program. Since August 2015 some 14,000 as “Peretz and his Circle,” a the opening of the Core students took part in over conference marking the 100th Exhibition, 350 teachers have 750 workshops, educational anniversary of the death of I. taken part in seminars, as well tours, and meetings with L. Peretz. Both were organized as in workshops based on Holocaust survivors. We within the framework of the the USC Shoah Foundation’s provided these activities free Global Education Outreach IWitness platform. of charge, and we subsidized Program (GEOP), funded the transportation costs for by the William K. Bowes Jr. Our cultural program has some school groups from Foundation and the Taube remained as vast and rich economically depressed as in 2014. Particularly

24 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 “I was surprised to learn about the ancient history of Jews in Poland. As a Jewish woman, I knew a lot about the Holocaust but nothing about the long relationship between my people and Poland.” successful were the music projects: 25 concerts of all kinds of music, from classical to rock to sound experiments, including four concerts by the Sinfonia Varsovia orchestra “Night at the Museum,” May 2015. Photo: POLIN Museum of the featuring music by Jewish History of Polish Jews composers. We also hosted during a three-month tour, of transformation. We also several theater performances. it visited 18 towns and four presented our inaugural Every week we organize music festivals. POLIN Award, intended public lectures and debates, for persons or institutions book presentations, and film working to safeguard the POLIN Award screenings. The number of memory of Polish Jews and To celebrate the first users of our Internet portals, build respect among Poles, anniversary of the Grand Virtual Shtetl and The Polish Jews, Europe, and the world. Opening, on October 8-11, Righteous, has grown by This year’s award went to we prepared “Made in 25%. “Museum on Wheels” is Tomasz Pietrasiewicz, founder Polin” – a three-day festival a multimedia exhibition about and director of Grodzka Gate- of music, art, performances, the history and culture of NN Theater in Lublin. n cultural workshops, and Polish Jews that visits small public debates united by a towns across Poland. In 2015, Polin.pl/en common theme: the journey

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 25 JCC Warsaw Celebrates its Second Anniversary

Warsaw celebrated its JCCsecond anniversary over the last weekend of October. Saturday evening began with Havdallah followed by an (almost) all-night celebration, featuring a concert of works by local Jewish composers and a visual performance depicting pre-war Jewish life in Warsaw. On Sunday all ages gathered for brunch and mural painting on the JCC’s front wall.

The JCC Warsaw community painted a mural on its walls to celebrate the second Among the 250 celebrants anniversary. Photo: Alex Ertel were the Israeli Ambassador Anna Azari and five rabbis from three different Warsaw congregations. Cooperation, diversity, and openness are key ingredients accounting for the JCC’s widespread appeal. n http://www.jccwarszawa. pl/?LangId=2

The JCC Warsaw team, from left: Agata Rakowiecka, Director; Maria Niziołek, Children and Families Program Coordinator; Marta Saracyn, Program Director; Aleksandra Rendak, Visual Communications Manager.

26 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 AWARDS How Michael Alpert By Jake Marmer Brought Klezmer into Poet, critic, and educator the 21st Century

This article is excerpted from forward.com, September 12, 2015, and is reproduced with permission.

he scent of herring; owlish spectacles; dusty, Ttragedy-laden archives; scratchy vinyl records you wouldn’t want your friends to know about – these are the things one sometimes associates with Yiddish Michael Alpert at the 21st Jewish Culture Festival in 2011. Photo: Wojciech Karlinski culture. For more than three decades, Michael Alpert has Unlike various other musical wrap the inherited music in worked hard on preserving traditions that have been their personal dreams and and reviving an Eastern passed steadily across aspirations and, above all, in European Jewish tradition that generations, klezmer is storytelling. is precisely the opposite of the defined precisely through herring-infused stereotypes; its lack of continuity. It is Klezmer is a nomadic music one bursting with life, characterized by the abyss filled with culture-traversing worldliness and sophistication. that separates contemporary reverberations of the Balkans, Renowned for his work as klezmorim from the once- Eastern Europe and the an artist, ethnographer and blossoming musical culture Middle East, as well as the educator, Alpert is a member of Eastern Europe. Today’s intermingling flavors of of the seminal Jewish bands klezmer is necessarily Africa and Western Europe. Brave Old World and Kapelye reimagined – that is, recast Like his music, Alpert is the and has been a key figure in into new life, not only by consummate traveler; he plays the klezmer revival since the means of preservation of multiple instruments and is late 1970s. the music itself, but also conversant in more than a through artists’ ability to dozen languages. He did not

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 27 Klezmer into the 21st Century, continued

inherit his vision of the Jewish To Alpert, to be engaged but as an opening out of musical tradition from his with Yiddish culture which to gather the various family or the community he is to treat it not as a strands. And perhaps that’s grew up in; he gradually shaped precisely what draws so many it, bridging disparate pieces, box in which to enclose students in North America thriving on frictions. In the late one’s identity, but as an and Europe to Alpert’s classes 1970s, when he first attempted opening out of which and concerts – and to a to play klezmer, he experienced to gather the various whole slew of well-attended a pivotal moment while driving popular festivals, workshops home with his friend and strands. and concerts focused on bandmate Mark Samos. exploration and reinvention of And that was – ping! – the the Yiddish culture of which “Here’s this music that’s beginning of an upward climb. Alpert is a part. n supposed to be ours,” Alpert And I realized, ah, right … recalled himself thinking, that’s why. That experience http://forward.com/culture/ “and yes, I identify with it in took me through many years.” music/320680/how- a certain way, but we don’t michael-alpert-brought- know how to play it anywhere This early peak experience, klezmer-into-the-21st- near as well as, say, I know now a part of Alpert’s personal century/#ixzz3oOzQV7d3 how to play Serbian music, or mythology, is telling. Ambiv- Croatian music, Macedonian alence about one’s Jewishness music, or Irish music. I said is a well-worn artistic trope of to Mark: ‘I feel that I don’t modernity. Yet, one’s ability totally belong in the world of to treat this ambivalence with all this other stuff, and here’s much-needed complexity, as an this stuff that’s supposed to opening for an identity that is be ours and I don’t feel like both ancient and apt for the 21st I belong here. I’m not sure century, is an impressive feat. where I do belong.’ I really hit the bottom there. And Mark To Alpert, to be engaged said: ‘You know, Michael, with Yiddish culture is to that’s probably the most treat it not as a box in which Jewish feeling I can imagine.’ to enclose one’s identity,

28 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 The Late Dr. Jan Kulczyk Is Honored at the Irena Sendler Award Ceremony & Memorial Tribute

n October 13 Taube Philanthropies Ocommemorated businessman and entrepreneur Dr. Jan Kulczyk (who passed away suddenly on July 29 at age 65) at a special ceremony at POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Taube Philanthropies is grateful to its co-hosts: POLIN Museum, Association of the Jewish Historical Institute of Poland, and the Polish Dominika Kulczyk (center) accepts Taube Philanthropies’ 2015 Irena Sendler Memorial National Opera. Award on behalf of her late father, Dr. Jan Kulczyk. Tad Taube (left, Chairman) and Shana Penn (right, Executive Director) present the award at POLIN Museum.

Dr. Kulczyk was Poland’s New York real-estate magnate to support the Museum.” wealthiest businessman, Larry Silverstein established In describing his gift to influential throughout the Warsaw-based Kulczyk the Museum, Dr. Kulczyk Central and Eastern Silverstein Properties. spoke prophetically: “For Europe, as well as a me, POLIN Museum is a generous philanthropist “Dr. Jan Kulczyk embodied moral compass. It teaches us and patron of many cultural the deep awareness shared that there are no shortcuts institutions. In 2012, he by so many Poles that without tolerance, respect, and donated the largest single Jewish history is integral to forgiveness. It reminds us of gift (more than $6 million) their national history,” said our obligation to leave a trace to the POLIN Museum. Tad Taube, Chairman of of all that we value when we He founded and directed Taube Philanthropies, who are no longer here.” n Kulczyk Investments S.A., presented the award. “Jan headquartered in Warsaw truly understood the spirit http://www. with offices in Dubai, Kiev, of collaborative giving, as taubephilanthropies.org/taube- London, and Luxembourg. demonstrated through his philanthropies-honors-polish- In 2012, Dr. Kulczyk and joining the international effort billionaires-role

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 29 Kraków Jewish Culture By Vera Hannush Festival Receives Prize Taube Philanthropies

he Jewish Culture Festival in Kraków has Treceived another prize in its long list of honors, this time from the International Biennale of Architecture Kraków. In October 2015, the Biennale’s international jury listed the Festival’s temporary space, the “Festival Quarter,” as a winner in the category of “Completed Projects” in this year’s theme, “Human Dimension of Urban Space.” The “Festival Quarter” at night. Photo: Michał Ramus The Festival Quarter was designed to highlight two and concerts, replete with by the International Biennale meanings of “quarter”: the pop-up café, bookstore, and of Architecture. n quarter-century anniversary printing press that sold posters of the Festival and the theme and t-shirts. Within the city http://jewishfestival.pl/fkz- of the “quarter” as concept limits the Festival Quarter quarter-awarded-during-the- and place, specifically Jewish was wildly popular and drew international-biennale-of- quarters around the world. crowds for its varied events. architecture,441,news,en.html The structure was designed by Kraków-based BudCud (Agata Creating a multipurpose Woźniczka and Mateusz space whose form perfectly Adamczyk) and served as echoes its function of housing a special performance and different kinds of human gathering space adjacent interaction, from dance to to the Old Synagogue and making art to listening to diagonally facing the Galicia lectures, the structure quickly Jewish Museum. This unique became a landmark and tourist space was used for workshops destination, a fact recognized

30 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 EXHIBITIONS By Shana Penn Taube Philanthropies; “Shoah” Exhibit at Auschwitz- Center for Jewish Studies, Birkenau State Museum Graduate Theological Union

he unveiling of the The new exhibit Museum. Although my T new Jewish exhibit succeeds in being colleague Anna and I had “Shoah” at the Auschwitz- meditative more witnessed numerous efforts to Birkenau State Museum in authenticate both the exhibit than informational, a June 2013 received modest and the site since the 1990s, media attention, even though memorial more than a neither of us was prepared for its ceremonial opening museum. It is a tribute our emotional responses to the was attended by Polish and to the lives of those who “Shoah” exhibit. It seemed to Israeli government leaders. have landed on earth from a were murdered, and an Innovative in both design and planet governed by peace and narrative, the exhibit makes example of Poles and compassion, bypassing the clear that the State Museum, Israelis collaborating on worn-out litany of blame which during the communist Holocaust remembrance. and denial. era downplayed or brazenly denied the Nazi genocide at of how to metaphorically lay “Shoah” is a minimalist Auschwitz-Birkenau, now to rest the Jewish individuals exhibit meant to complement respectfully recognizes the who perished in the Nazi the State Museum’s permanent fate of European Jews as genocide. exhibition. Dr. Avner Shalev, the largest victim group “Shoah” chief curator at this death camp. The I visited the new exhibit in and member of the State exhibit also presents a July 2013, a few weeks after Museum’s International remarkably sensitive and it opened, in the company of Council, recalls, “We decided compassionate memorial Dr. Anna Sommer-Schneider, to impart as concisely as by Yad Vashem to the Jews a Jewish historian and a possible … how Auschwitz- of pre-war Europe, which, longtime State Museum Birkenau was a component refreshingly, is absent the docent who was born and – albeit a central one – of typical teleological narrative raised in Oświęcim, the town the larger and more complex asserting the inevitability of bordering the death camp site. story of the Shoah. The title, the Holocaust. In a broader I had been familiar with the “Shoah,” alerts us instantly context, the exhibit represents site through my professional to the exhibit’s focus, which the depoliticization of a connections as a journalist is not exclusively the Jewish historically politicized site, and later a staff member of experience at Auschwitz- and offers a stunning example the U.S. Holocust Memorial Birkenau but more broadly

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 31 “Shoah” Exhibit, continued

the fate of Europe’s Jews The first and final galleries, by a birth date, hometown, in the Nazi genocide. “The World That Was: Jewish and place of death, clearly Three of the gallery spaces Life Between the Two World printed on the meter-high depart from a strictly historical Wars” and “Book of Names,” pages. “The goal was to create narrative to present artistic establish a gripping sense of an everlasting, permanent installations that give names humanity. Immediately upon memorial,” notes Shalev, “one and faces to more than 4 entering the first gallery, the that would encompass both million Jews, including 1.5 viewer is enveloped by a their inconceivable numbers million children, murdered in cinematic montage of Jewish as well as their individual the Holocaust. The children’s men, women, and children identities.” display, the fourth gallery, from interwar Europe. Family was created by artist Michal film clips show ordinary Jews Artistic elements and Rovner, who had worked on leading their everyday lives, installations are usually Yad Vashem’s permanent full of vitality. The viewer considered inappropriate in exhibition in Jerusalem. It is cannot be stationary but must the somber museums that made of tracings of fragments circle around the space to take document the Holocaust. “But and details from children’s in all of the images, to keep since Auschwitz-Birkenau artworks – 10,000 pieces in apace with the personalities is authentic itself,” Shalev all – that had been created in revolving around the viewer. explains, “we didn’t have to ghettos and camps. Rovner The urge is to embrace the add more artifacts; plus, it transposed these delicate people in the films, to hold would have been costly. Most images onto bare white walls onto their fleeting images, important, we are not telling that wrap around a second- protect their memory. a story of authenticity; we are floor gallery space, to share telling a story of humanity.” with viewers how the children In the fifth gallery, the “Book In addition, the national could “document the essential of Names,” is an enormous, exhibits at Auschwitz- thing they were able to hold interactive book containing Birkenau, which have onto their viewpoint.” The 4.2 million names of Jewish functions distinct from the innocence of children is set victims, which Yad Vashem permanent exhibition and against the brutality of the had collected and stored in a are created independently death camp, which can be database to preserve the full of the State Museum, can seen through the second- name of each Jewish victim in take unconventional risks floor windows. the Holocaust, accompanied in the presentations of their

32 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 countries’ experiences. The curators aimed to humanize and personalize the experiences of each and every human being. Beginning and closing with human beings, the exhibit elicits an immediate response of dignity, pride, and connection with a collective inheritance of Jews and Europeans and their diasporas. Neither Anna nor I had expected such a tender rendering, a loving homage to real people, and certainly we never expected to observe such reverence at Auschwitz- Birkenau, the ghastly antithesis of compassion.

“Book of Names,” fifth gallery in the “Shoah” exhibit at the Auschwitz-Birkenau The new exhibit succeeds in State Museum being meditative more than informational, a memorial and remembrance receives “We are not telling a more than a museum. It is a substantial government tribute to the lives of those story of authenticity; subsidies, it is an opportune who were murdered, and we are telling a story time to contemplate future an example of Poles and directions for the Auschwitz- of humanity.” Israelis collaborating on Birkenau site and State - Dr. Avner Shalev Holocaust remembrance. Museum. The “Shoah” exhibit Chief Curator, Today, as the World War II reflects and informs such “Shoah” Exhibit generation passes on and as conversation. n Chairman, the site’s long-term budget Yad Vashem Directorate for conservation, education,

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 33 BOOK REVIEWS By Maayan Stanton Jewish Publications in Poland Taube Philanthropies

AKTA JUDAICA Editorial Contact: Warsaw NGO committed to the LODZENSIA [email protected] memory and legacy of Yiddish www.chidusz.com culture. Łódź University, Centrum Badań Żydowskich Editorial contact: www.judaica.uni.lodz.pl/acta [email protected] www.cwiszn.pl Editors: John Crust KWARTALNIK HISTORII Małgorzata Domagalska . ZYDÓW / JEWISH Adam Sitarek HISTORICAL QUARTERLY Michał Trębacz Jacek Walicki (until 2000, Biuletyn Ewa Wiatr Żydowskiego Instytutu Historycznego) Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Żydowski Instytut Historyczny Łódzkiego im. Emanuela Ringelbluma ul. Tłomackie 3/5 90-131 Łódź, ul. Lindleya 8 CWISZN 00–090 Warszawa The mission of this small CHIDUSZ tel.: (22) 827 92 21 quarterly publication, as fax: (22) 827 83 72 A two-year-old monthly its Yiddish name Cwiszn magazine produced in “between” or “among”) Editorial Collegium: Wrocław, Chidusz aims at a suggests, is to honor the great Eleonora Bergman Jewish readership in Poland. Yiddish literature of the past Michał Czajka (secretary) It offers news and special and transmit it to Polish and Helena Datner interest articles on national Jewish culture today. The Jan Doktór (chair) issues, Israel, and other Jewish predominantly female editorial Daniel Grinberg communities around the world, team combines Yiddish culture Anna Michałowska-Mycielska along with stories on Jewish with the wealth of artistic Joanna Nalewajko-Kulikov religion, customs, history, and possibilities of contemporary Szymon Rudnicki culture, including a section on Polish Jewry. It is a publication Paweł Śpiewak language and literature. of the Shalom Foundation, a Rafał Żebrowski

34 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 By Maayan Stanton Taube Philanthropies

Editor in Chief: Józefa 19 Piotr Paziński 31-056 Kraków [email protected] www. instytut.judaistyki@ www.midrasz.pl uj.edu.pl

STUDIA JUDAICA Editors: Studia Judaica is a scholarly Prof. dr hab. Edward Dąbrowa journal of the Polish (chief editor) Association for Jewish Studies. Dr hab. Leszek Hońdo Members of the Association Dr hab. Michał Galas publish their articles on any Dr Andrzej K. Link- topic within Jewish studies, Lenczowski MIDRASZ with subjects ranging from history and archeology Midrasz, published every two to religion, culture, and months, is the most widely linguistics. Contributions by read Polish publication devoted non-members must be related to Judaism and Polish Jewry. to Polish Judaism. Established in 1997 as a response to growing interest Editor in Chief: in Judaism from Polish Jews, Dr. Marcin Wodziński gentile Poles interested in [email protected] Judaism, and Poles who www.studiajudaica.pl recently discovered their Jewish roots, it continues STUDIA JUDAICA its educational mission of discussing Jewish culture, CRACOVIENSIA religion, history, and current – STUDIES IN JEWISH events in sophisticated HISTORY, CULTURE intellectual reportage and AND RELIGION essays. Instytut Judaistyki, Jagiellonian University

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 35 By Dr. Antony Polonsky Polin: Studies in Polish Jewry, Vol. 28 Chairman Polin: Studies in Polish Jewry Chief Historian “Jewish Writing in Poland” POLIN Museum

his is a major study of languages –Hebrew and forces over which they had topics that have rarely Yiddish – were usually no control,” and those Jews Tbeen discussed in English, identified with defined Jewish “whose exclusive or partial especially Jewish literature nationalist ideologies. Hebrew cultural language was Polish” written in Polish. The articles culture relied on Zionist but who were either “Zionist should appeal to all students ideology, whereas modern in ideology or nonaffiliated of literature and particularly Yiddish secular culture was and politically apathetic” and to those interested in Polish, built primarily by Bundists “certainly never denied their Yiddish, and Hebrew and their adherents, and to Jewish identity.” creativity understood as a a lesser extent by Zionist rich cultural polysystem. socialists, Folkists, and those He concluded: Jewish communists who did The true and great power The issues discussed in this not advocate the assimilation of this culture lay not volume are best understood in of Jews. in isolation of these the context of a path-breaking linguistic areas but in their article by Chone Shmeruk, Alongside these cultural interaction, an interaction “Hebrew-Yiddish-Polish: A systems there also existed that included the traditional Trilingual Jewish Culture,” a Polish cultural system religious cultural system published in 1989 in The in which the “striving for as well. The full picture Jews of Poland between Jewish self-preservation of the culture of Polish Two World Wars. Shmeruk [was] less apparent.” Jews can only be perceived argued that in addition to Shmeruk distinguished by approaching it as a “the traditional culture that between “the thin stratum polysystem in which the was still predominant in of Polish intelligentsia of power of its components Poland between the two Jewish descent, including comes from the force of world wars, three modern renowned Polish writers, who their mutual, dynamic post-Enlightenment cultural were totally assimilated into interaction, and not in their systems existed among Polish Polish culture and identified isolation. Jewry.” These systems “were themselves as Poles – even generally distinguished by despite certain sporadic Certainly, as Shmeruk linguistic and ideological expressions of Jewish self- suggests, the cultural characteristics. The cultural identification to which they creativity of Polish Jews systems in the Jewish were pushed by hostile since the Enlightenment

36 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 has found expression not The cultural creativity works and why Communism only in Hebrew and Yiddish of Polish Jews since the appealed to some Jewish but increasingly in Polish. Enlightenment has found writers; questions of identity There has been mutual and with a special focus on Julian dynamic interaction between expression not only in Tuwim, one of the greatest the cultural systems, but until Hebrew and Yiddish but Polish poets, an assimilated the end of Communism the increasingly in Polish. Jew attacked both by Polish trilingual Jewish culture of nationalists and Yiddish Poland was little studied. In including discussions intellectuals; and different this volume, scholars from of less known works by “exiles,” understood both Poland, the United States, Janusz Korczak and Julian literally and metaphorically Israel, Italy, and Argentina Stryjkowski; Polish-Yiddish- and encompassing works investigate writers from Hebrew literary contacts, created in Poland, Israel, and across this spectrum and with important pieces on Argentina. consider how they saw their Y.L. Peretz’s early work, the Jewish (and sometimes translation of Haim Hahman In spite of this wide range of Polish) identity, and what they Bialik’s poetry into Polish, the themes, the coverage of the thought of the authors in the influence of Polish writers on topic is not exhaustive. There other linguistic or cultural Sholem Asch’s early plays, are still very few studies camps. Together their work and the reception of Joseph of Polish-Hebrew literary constitutes a first examination Opatoshu’s novels in interwar contacts, and although more of Jewish literatures in Poland Poland; mutual perceptions has been written about Yiddish from the point of view of both represented by the images of writers in Poland there are still linguistic and geographic Poles and Poland in the work areas requiring comparative diversity. The interwar years of Jewish writers and of Jews perspective. It is hoped serve as the reference point, in the work of Polish authors, that the themes and motifs but material on the period for instance, in the work discussed in this volume will before World War I and since of Hebrew Nobel laureate inspire further research in this 1945 is also included. S.Y. Agnon and the Polish complex field. n writer Stanisław Vincenz; The volume comprises six avant-garde art and modern http://www.littman.co.uk/cat/ sections: new research on ideologies with discussions polin-28.html Jewish literature in Polish, of Bruno Schulz’s graphic

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 37 Native Foreigners: Jewish-Polish Poetry between the World Wars Reviewed by Selected and Translated by Aniela and Alyssa A. Lappen Author, journalist, and editor Jerzy Gregorek. Illustrated by Jerzy Feiner Cross-Cultural Communications, 2015

he eleven poets who word Jewish, as a compound “that I don’t know how to wrote the fourteen poems adjective.” An excellent express even the simplest Tpresented in this magnificent point, since the concept that words in a language book lived in Poland between the poetry was written by differently from Mickiewicz, the two world wars, during Jews living in Poland differs Puszkin or Heine.” an era of ever-present dusk. markedly from that of rooted Their world still contained or accepted Poles who also The lives of all these poets rich light, however, and many happened to live as Jews. were stamped out prematurely, (though not all) of the works often at times and places here reflect their experience of Celina Becker, at least unknown, but their voices a world that burst with love, momentarily, resented the boast an eternal Jewish spark, family, and a special Jewish confines of her linguistic a soul that will never die, warmth. limitations. As a poet, regardless of how desperately translator, and critic for tyrants may try to extinguish it. While their voices carry an Warsaw’s Our Review and aura of immortality that I hope author of a 1935 Russian As if to confirm the efforts of this volume will help them to anthology, she was brilliant those tyrants, the book opens achieve, as deserved as those in Polish, Russian, and with a dark offering from of Yiddish poetic geniuses German. In “To the Jewish Władysław Szlengel (1914- like Abraham Sutzkever and Language” she mourns, 1943), also a satirist and writer Abba Kovner, these poets “Nobody taught me to love of cabaret lyrics. “Nothing wrote in the vernacular Polish you.” She suddenly yearns New” is as valid today as when language that inhabited the for the “worthless gibberish” originally written, probably in gentile time and space in of Yiddish, “something the late 1930s, foreshadowing which they lived. As the title suddenly fires a fervent the anonymous Jew. The many Native Foreigners suggests, homesickness.” She expects common blood libels bandied they felt foreign in their own “nobody, nobody” to about through the ages, within land. Translators Aniela and understand “how bitter I feel all regions and eras, come Jerzy Gregorek note in their and unspeakable, how raw” clawing. It opens: introduction that the book’s that the tragically ruined I walk my sad road “subtitle deliberately breaks Yiddish language sounds with the convention of placing “more unfamiliar than all for two thousand years. the word Polish in front of the foreign languages,” and

38 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 The poem stacks up all the The lives of all these region in Warsaw, Bucharest, usual slanders: that Jews poets were stamped and Moscow; Kanfer celebrates poison water wells, cast spells out prematurely, often the vivacious spirit that over cattle, mix matzoh with inhabited the Jewish theater children’s blood, make war at at times and places scene for several decades. will, kidnap young boys for unknown, but their voices Feiner’s matching sketch every holiday and pluck out boast an eternal Jewish likewise features costumed their lifeless eyes. spark, a soul that will Jews dancing, arms thrown aloft in welcome of an As the accompanying pen- never die, regardless of audience of Jews from five and-ink sketch by Jerzy Feiner how desperately tyrants regions and eras. (1933–2008) suggests, such may try to extinguish it. deadly ideas populated the Of course this poem, too, darkest minds (sometimes were covered with humiliation harkens back to the dusk that unfortunately the vast and poverty and returned hung over Poland’s Jews majority) in every culture with anger from Allah [upon between the wars, noting that throughout history and across them]. That was because they overseas travel and acclaim was every corner of the globe, into [repeatedly] disbelieved in the but a dream, and the actors must our own day, from the ancient signs of Allah and killed the “drag” through travails. Middle East to 7th-century prophets without right. That The homeless, Jewish actor Arabia to Medieval Persia was because they disobeyed smiles to himself like a child to 20th-century Russia. And and were [habitually] in a dream. of course Poland. The Jew, transgressing.” however, survives, indeed Through London, Paris, lives, in spite of them, the Yet not all the poems are Brussels, poet’s precise point. dark and brooding. Irma New York, and Rio de Kanfer (1920-?) in “Jewish Janeiro, While the use of a few Actors” celebrates the lives with a cigarette in his mouth accusations here may have of Yiddish theater stars, been limited to certain especially Miriam Orleska (ca. sick on nostalgia regions or eras, some are 1900-1943?), who performed drag, drag deeply embedded in Islamic with the Vilna Troop (Vilner day, night cultures and societies across Troupe), which ironically Jews–wanderers–actors. time. These harken to many prospered in 1915 after the foundational verses in the Germans occupied Vilna and Maurycy Szymel (1903-1942), Quran itself. For example, rescinded Tsarist proscriptions who published four poetry Sura 2, verse 61, which curses of Yiddish theater. Yiddish titles, including three in Polish the Jewish people, “And they groups performed across the

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 39 Native Foreigners, continued

and one in Yiddish, writes there is no way back to the I understand there is no here “About Lost Shabbat.” home which faded away, death. Six of this work’s seven to the table beside my stanzas sing of the small jobs brother and sisters, While few in number, the and treasured remembrances poems speak volumes. But nobody to light the Sabbath from bustling, happy Shabbat one could also easily fill candles. preparations and meals, of the an entire review with the tiniest details, from a shabby fourteen amazing Jerzy In a 1926 poem, Szymel chair, carrots, and chicken Feiner sketches. As a boy in simply treasures his Shabbat soup to a mother’s wrinkled Warsaw he experienced the memories, “where candle hands, wine fermented from destruction of Jewish life. light shivers and flickers on a raisins, a crackling kitchen The translators report that he table,” and after his father’s fire, and roasted coffee in a created these works “during Kiddush “the moon cuddles brass mortar. a period of intense creativity, its face to the window” and “I as he sequestered himself in A polished candelabra, hear / a certain fairy tale about filled with the liquid gold his home in Los Angeles,” miracles.” and drew from his childhood of evening, flowed through memories to create images the humid window. Even near “Death,” Szymel to match the works. Feiner A stocky, pockmarked celebrates life. While horrified created “piles of drawings” deliveryman, squat like a by “your passionate, autumn from which the translators mushroom, eyes, / through which death then chose. n peers,” rumbled through the backyard gate. . . . when I lay my forehead Alyssa A. Lappen, author to the wall, of The Minstrel’s Song …. it smells of your neck, lips, (Merrick, NY: Cross-Cultural The shadows of flickering your hair, Communications, 2015), candles made the room received the 2000 Ruah and hay, more quiet, award for spiritual poetry. and Spring smelled deeply and water green with frogs An investigative journalist on the dark, uneven street. and stars. and editor, she has several When I sat on the threshold So I caress the table, areas of expertise, including I could hear windows, lampshade, economics, business, finance, and the Middle East and the sky brushed by the like your warm breasts in Islam. wind, washed by the moon. the dark ripened by night. But this gorgeous work, too, And when we nestle face to laments, face,

40 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 Hitler’s Furies: German Women Reviewed by Shana Penn in the Nazi Killing Fields Taube Philanthropies; By Wendy Lower Center for Jewish Studies, Graduate Theological Union Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013

itler’s Furies: German women, in their overlooked the lengthy era of postwar HWomen in the Nazi roles as accomplices and tribunals. Killing Fields is a pioneering perpetrators, “got away with study of the 500,000 young murder.” Coming of Age in the German and Austrian women Third Reich who went to the eastern front Lower, a Claremont McKenna As Lower explains, between during World War II, tasked College professor of the 1941 and 1944, ambitious with helping to carry out Holocaust and genocides, young women who had the Third Reich’s imperial conceived of the book during a internalized the Third Reich’s mission. The Nazi conquest of 1992 research trip to Ukraine racist ideology headed to the Eastern Europe, notes Wendy to access newly opened Soviet eastern front, seeking careers, Lower, an American historian archives containing German paychecks, independence, of the Holocaust, required the records of the Nazi occupation romance, and adventure. The mobilization of all Germans. of the East. In Zhitomir, sheer number of women who Men and women alike were once Heinrich Himmler’s relocated to the eastern front called upon to participate headquarters, she came – nurses, teachers, secretaries, in all campaigns, from the across German reports listing wives, and lovers – establishes reproduction of the Aryan thousands of women who had their importance in genocidal nation to the colonization relocated to the eastern front, warfare and imperial rule. The of the eastern front and the starting in 1941, to support German Red Cross trained genocide of Europe’s Jews. colonization of the territories 640,000 women, 400,000 “The systems that make mass for Aryan settlement. She of whom were placed in murder possible do not work makes ample and primary wartime service, mostly sent without the broad participation use of postwar investigations to battle zones in the east. Of of society,” argues Lower, and trials to probe the lives the 500,000 women trained “and yet nearly all histories of of 13 representative women in support positions such the Holocaust leave out half and examine why so many as radio operators, filecard of those who populated that did what they did; to what keepers, flight recorders, and society, as if women’s history extent they were aware of the wiretappers, around 200,000 happens somewhere else.” moral and legal consequences served on the eastern front. This pervasive gender- of their actions; and why They worked in offices, blindness, concludes Lower, the criminal justice system among the occupational elite, accounts for how German overlooked them during

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 41 Hitler’s Furies, continued

and in the killing fields of violence was not tolerated and that Lower develops as she Eastern Europe, where the the “Bolshevik” threat was not illustrates women’s individual worst atrocities were carried directly encountered. Judeo- actions and motivations for out. Thousands of women Bolshevism was… a powerful complicity and cruelty under witnessed mass murders; mobilizing ideology of the various circumstances. many were accomplices to the war… and for some the anti- Judeocide, while still others Semitic ideas absorbed there Lower does not directly or also perpetrated atrocities. [on the eastern front] were not comprehensively converse discredited by the defeat of with the gender research Lower argues that these Hitler’s Germany.” that predates her work, such were ordinary women from as Gudrun Schwarz’s study a variety of backgrounds – Not Just Imitating Men of violent SS wives and educated and uneducated, poor Elizabeth Harvey’s focus Hitler’s Furies belongs and well-to-do, provincial and on teachers in Poland who to a growing scholarship urban, Catholic and Protestant looted Jewish possessions. about the nature of German – who were not known to Prior to her own research, women’s cruelty in World exhibit violent tendencies Lower asserts, the scope of War II and its historical either before or after the war. women’s participation in the perception. U.S. religious- What drove them to kill? eastern massacres remained studies scholar Susannah Were they programmed for ambiguous, and the possibility Heschel has written that murder? According to Lower, of female culpability had women’s cruelty is typically “The varied experiences of been neglected and under- “presented with a sense of German men and women in examined. She insists that surprise, transgressing gender the eastern occupied territories a serious consideration of expectations, whereas men’s as they became direct women’s diverse roles in the cruelty is discussed without witnesses, accomplices and Third Reich was a “historical reference to their gender, perpetrators of the Holocaust blind spot,” despite the fact as though the connection broadened and deepened their that the subject is hardly new between atrocity and maleness anti-Semitic behavior. Anti- in academia or the media. is self-evident.” Heschel Semitism there took on many She examines the gender- introduces the notion that forms, more elaborate and specific causes of women’s female perpetrators were not extreme than in the Reich, violence and perpetration just “male imitators,” an idea where sustained, visible of atrocities, enriching an

42 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 analysis succinctly put forth of statements that described by Heschel almost a decade atrocious female behavior. earlier. Notes Lower, “The It was difficult to locate the role of German women in accused women most of whom Hitler’s war can no longer had returned to Germany be understood as their or Austria, got married, mobilization and victimization changed their surnames, and on the home front. Instead, could not be traced by their Hitler’s Germany produced maiden names. The evidence another kind of female of their crimes was often character at war, an expression hazy, unsubstantiated, or too of female activism and difficult to locate. patriotism of the most violent and perverse kind….” As long as German women are consigned to another sphere Pervasive gender- Exploiting a Gender or their political influence is blindness, concludes minimized, half the population Stereotype of a genocidal society, in After the war, sexism and Lower, accounts for historian Ann Taylor Allen’s anti-Semitism conspired how German women, words, is “endowed with the to rule out women’s wide- in their overlooked innocence of the crimes of ranging complicity in the Nazi roles as accomplices the modern state” and placed genocide, an argument that “outside of history itself.” Lower ably presents in the and perpetrators, Hitler’s Furies is Wendy final chapters. Many former “got away with murder.” Lower’s attempt to reinsert Nazis and wartime criminals themselves as apolitical women’s political agency into slipped comfortably back women, who had been the historical record of Nazi into civilian life. While this is far from the machinery of Germany to be duly accounted broadly known, Hitler’s Furies killing, incapable of crime for, for better or for worse. n provides a cynical twist. When because they were women and faced with the possibility mothers. In postwar Germany, http://www.hmhco.com/ of a criminal conviction, Lower writes, the male shop/books/Hitlers- female perpetrators presented judiciary remained skeptical Furies/9780547863382

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 43 FILM PROJECTS By Roberta Grossman “Who Will Write Our History” Producer

ho Will Write Ringelblum’s wartime writing, Our History” is a but the story will be framed “Wfeature-length documentary by the writing and point of about historian Emanuel view of Rachel Auerbach, one Ringelblum and Oyneg Shabes, of only three survivors of the the secret archive he created more than sixty members of and led in the Warsaw Ghetto the Oyneg Shabes collective. during World War II. The film is based on the book of the Rachel Auerbach was born same name by historian Dr. in Galicia in 1903. After Samuel Kassow. completing undergraduate and graduate studies in There are challenges to telling psychology, philosophy, and any historical story. “Who to fulfill their wishes to be history, she became a member Will Write Our History” may heard and remembered. of the Polish-Jewish literary be more challenging than My 2008 film “Blessed Is the elite. A prolific Yiddish and most. There are no living Match: The Life and Death of Polish author, historian, Oyneg Shabes survivors to Hannah Senesh” was heavily and essayist, Auerbach was tell the tale. The setting (the laced with Hannah’s diary romantically linked with the Warsaw Ghetto) is a place that entries, letters, and poems, Yiddish poet Itzik Manger. In no longer exists and which writing that conveys her inner 1939, as she was preparing was visually documented life. But we told the story to flee Warsaw to join her primarily by the Nazis (for from the point of view of family in Galicia, Emanuel their own propaganda purpos- Catherine Senesh, Hannah’s Ringelblum asked Auerbach es) and mostly in black-and- mother, who survived the to stay, saying “We don’t all white photography. Despite war. This approach supplied have the right to run away.” these obstacles, the very point not only a before-during- of the archive was to allow and-after account (Hannah At Ringelblum’s request, the unique individuals who was murdered in 1944), but Auerbach ran a soup created it to speak beyond the a riveting emotional lens on kitchen in the Ghetto while grave to the future. We are Hannah’s life. “Who Will simultaneously, in her writing, striving to employ effective Write Our History” will recording the voices of its story-telling strategies in order similarly rely on Emanuel inhabitants. In March 1943 she

44 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 Rachel Auerbach testifying in the Dr. Samuel Kassow Eichmann Trial. crossed to the Aryan side of Even before the end of the who perished in the Shoah, Warsaw where she continued war, Auerbach was active in publishing two memoirs and her writing and worked with recording survivor testimony. countless articles in Yiddish the Jewish underground. And once the war ended, and Hebrew. Among Auerbach’s most along with fellow Oyneg powerful pieces is “Yitzkor,” Shabes survivor Hersh Wasser, Until now the vast majority written in 1943: she worked tirelessly for the of Auerbach’s writing had I saw a flood once in the rescue of the archive. Due to never been translated. mountains. Wooden huts, their efforts the first cache Happily, Dr. Samuel Kassow torn from their foundations was dug up in 1946. Auerbach is translating two of her books were carried above the rag- ruefully remarked that she into English. It is the rich ing waters. One could see had been more successful in trove of Auerbach’s wartime lighted lamps in them; and saving documents than people. and postwar writing that will men, women and children provide the point of view in their cradles were tied Rachel Auerbach moved to and narrative spine for “Who to the ceiling beams. Other Israel in 1950 where she was Will Write Our History.” The huts were empty inside, but the founding director of the words of Auerbach, voiced by one could see a tangle of Department for the Collection Academy Award-nominated arms waving from the roof of Witness Testimony at Yad actress Joan Allan, can be like branches blowing in the Vashem. A key figure in the heard by clicking here to wind, waving desperately Eichmann Trial, she helped view a five-minute sample toward heaven, toward the ground the prosecution’s case reel for “Who Will Write riverbanks for help. At a dis- in survivor testimony. Our History.” n tance, one could see mouths gaping, but one could not Auerbach was a powerful For more information hear their cries because the and prolific writer, with a contact Roberta roar of the waters drowned cinematic eye for the close-up, Grossman, rgrossman@ out everything. the telling detail. She spent katahdinproductions.com the rest of her life writing and And that is how the Jewish *Excerpted from David Roskies, masses flowed to their rewriting her wartime diary The Literature of Destruction: destruction. Sinking as and essays. She wrote about Jewish Responses to Catastrophe. helplessly into the deluge Ringelblum, the archive, of destruction.* and the Jewish intellectuals

45 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 2 GAZETA FALL 2015 n 45 By Elizabeth Rynecki “Chasing Portraits” Producer

hen Moshe Rynecki Although “Chasing Elizabeth’s pursuit is a web of Wbundled his life’s Portraits” is a specific diverse elements: tantalizing work of over 800 drawings, story of a quest for lost clues left in handwritten paintings, and sculptures into art, the film’s central letters found in an archive a series of parcels during the message is universal – we in Canada, photographs of Nazi invasion of Poland in previously unknown Rynecki are all caretakers charged 1939, he thought he was just paintings in Polish newspapers being cautious, and expected with preserving history from the 1930s, obstacles that it would likely be a and sharing culture. put up by private collectors matter of weeks to months and auction houses, windfalls before the collection could be in her parents’ and of unexpected assistance, reassembled. grandparents’ homes, without and ultimately serendipitous knowing much beyond the discoveries. Sorting through Instead, he survived nearly fact that the paintings were archives, crowd-sourced four years under the occupation completed in Poland in the clues, and other hints of the before he was ultimately 1920s and 1930s. Despite past, Elizabeth discovers not deported and murdered at her lack of knowledge of the only the work of her great- Majdanek. After Poland was stories behind the works, grandfather previously thought liberated, Moshe’s widow Elizabeth grew up with a lost forever, but details of his Perla was able to recover just front-row seat to the Polish- once thriving art career. a single bundle of work – Jewish community revealed in about 120 paintings. “Chasing the art. Her great-grandfather Filming for the documentary Portraits,” a feature-length was an ethnographer of sorts, has taken Elizabeth on a series documentary film currently in exploring and documenting of journeys in Canada, Poland, production, follows the story the daily rhythm of life for Israel, and the United States. of Moshe Rynecki’s great- Poland’s Jews in the interwar In October 2013 the “Chasing granddaughter, Elizabeth, years. Painting artisans and Portraits” crew travelled to as she attempts to locate her laborers, scenes from inside Toronto to meet with a private great-grandfather’s lost art. the synagogue, religious study, collector whose parents bought and moments of leisure, he a bundle of Rynecki paintings Elizabeth grew up surrounded captured a time, a place, and a from a Łódź farmer after the by her great-grandfather’s culture virtually annihilated by war. A year later the crew works, prominently displayed the Holocaust. visited Warsaw to film at the

46 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 Elizabeth Rynecki with her great-grandfather’s artwork. Photo: Shoey Sindel Photography

Jewish Historical Institute, which has 52 Rynecki paintings, the National Museum in Warsaw, which has two works, POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, which includes a photograph of a Rynecki painting in its Core Exhibit, and to meet with a private collector. More recently, in May 2015 the film team returned to Warsaw for further interviews and follow up, then went to Israel to see more Rynecki paintings. In July 2015 the project filmed footage in New York City with collectors and experts on Holocaust-era looted art. Filming is set to wrap in late 2015 in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the project will then move into post-production (turning the raw footage into a completed film) in 2016.

Although “Chasing Portraits” is a specific story of a quest for lost art, the film’s central message is universal – we are all caretakers charged with preserving history and sharing culture. n

Learn more about the film and watch the three-minute trailer online:

www.ChasingPortraits.org. Moshe Rynecki

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 47 EDUCATION/HERITAGE TOURISM By Raquel Rosenbloom A Journey of Learning: “Exploring Poland/Polin” Study Tour participant, 1,000 Years of Polish Jewish August 2015 History along the Vistula River

ith Polish Foreign The diversity in our connect with their histories. W Ministry support, the group and our excellent The group was made up Taube Center for the Renewal leaders and engaging of thirteen young Polish- of Jewish Life in Poland offers Americans, most of whom ten-day summer study tours guides opened my eyes hailed from Chicago. A for Polish-American students, to perspectives and fraction of us were still in focused on the Jewish history opinions about Poland our undergrad years; most and multicultural heritage and its place in world were recent grads, had of Poland. I was fortunate their master’s degrees, or enough to participate in this history and its own were enrolled in graduate year’s August trip. Our theme history. school. About half the group was “1,000 Years of Polish was Jewish, the other half Jewish History along the In 2008, we took a family was predominantly Polish Vistula River.” trip to Poland which I will Catholic. When I arrived, never forget. My grandparents I was surprised to find that I found out about this were our guides and we I was one of the few jet-lagged opportunity through my visited major sites in ones of the group, as many of grandparents, Fay and Julian Warsaw, Kraków, and most my peers had been studying in Bussgang, who, for as long importantly, my grandfather’s Poland over the summer as I can remember, have had home city, Lvov (today, Lviv, or visiting family around strong connections with my Ukraine). the country. family’s Polish heritage and the Jewish community in Though our 2008 trip was an Our journey began in Poland. My grandfather was incredible experience, I was Kraków, exploring the born in Poland, and his family only thirteen at the time and medieval history as well as escaped in 1939. Since 1989, had yet to learn about the the Kazimierz neighborhood when they took a trip to Poland Polish language and history and the flourishing Jewish with their three children, he beyond my family’s own story. culture of today. On the very and my grandmother have been When I learned of this study first morning, on our way to involved in the Polish-Jewish trip, I was excited to travel Kazimierz from our hostel, community, working both in to Poland among a group we walked on Dietla Street, Poland and staying connected of other Polish-Americans right past the house where my overseas. who were eager to learn and great-grandmother was born.

48 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 The whole group stopped with me to take a photo to send to my family at home. That was the beginning of visiting sites where the history was so palpable and powerful for each of us. Raquel Rosenbloom (left) with the “Exploring Poland/Polin” group in the Kashubia region of Poland. During our time in Kraków we explored the Schindler Science, saw the Warsaw of Copernicus as well as the Museum, Wawel Castle, Uprising Museum, and spent impressive castle (Malbork) Jagiellonian University, and time in the gorgeous new built by the Teutonic Knights. the Rynek Underground POLIN Museum, among other What I will never forget about Museum, and had dinner with highlights. One of the best that day is the heat. It was 43 volunteers from the Kraków parts of being in Warsaw was degrees Celsius, which is 109 JCC. We spent a day visiting the people we got to meet and degrees Fahrenheit! Being Auschwitz and Birkenau and talk to. We met with a Warsaw on the coast was especially the Auschwitz Jewish Center Uprising fighter who was welcome after that. We before continuing along the thirteen when the war broke stayed in Sopot but spent the Vistula River to Warsaw. out and made his way through majority of our days in Gdynia On the way to Warsaw we the sewers carrying messages and Gdańsk. We visited the stopped in Sandomierz and during the fighting. We also new Emigration Museum in Kazimierz Dolny. These were lucky enough to meet Gdynia and the European beautiful small towns with representatives from the Solidarity Center in Gdańsk, challenged stereotypes of the Polish Ministry of Foreign each of which tells a powerful shtetl concept. We learned Affairs and discuss with them story. A definite highlight of that “shtetl” literally means what the trip meant personally our time in the north was our “small town,” and that these to each of us. visit to the Kashubia region, shtetls were always a mixed where we learned about the population of religions and Then we continued on, along traditional food, dress, and places of coexistence. In the Vistula River. We drove to music, and attended a pottery Warsaw we visited the Old Gdańsk, stopping in Toruń and workshop. We ended our Town, went to the top of Malbork to see the Gothic-era trip in Gdańsk, exploring the the Palace of Culture and architecture and the birthplace charming old town and with

GAZETA FALL 2015 n 49 A Journey of Learning, continued

one last dinner on the water. Though we had scheduled “framing the day” sessions for each morning and evening, we didn’t require them. While at dinner or going on to the next activity, we naturally engaged in lively debates and discussions about the events and ideas of the day. Many of us in the group were planning ways to return to Poland. I hope that the Taube Center for the Renewal of Jewish Life in Poland Foundation and the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs know how grateful we are for the experience and continue in the future to bring students on such amazing journeys. n http://www.21stcentury polonia.pl/

Raquel Rosenbloom at a pottery workshop in the Kashubia region of Poland.

50 n GAZETA VOLUME 22, NO. 3 Moshe Rynecki

[email protected] www.taubephilanthropies.org