While sipping coffee at the Chopin Airport and awaiting the arrival of the rest of our group from the States (via Toronto), Jonty Blackman briefly described pre-WWII Poland, where Jews comprised 10% of the population of the entire country and 33% of the population of Warsaw. They enjoyed and contributed to the rich academic and cultural pulse of the country and were a vibrant part of it.
With this introduction and with all participants finally convened, we headed from the airport to the Okopowa St. Jewish Cemetery where Natalia Aleksiun led us through one of the two largest Jewish cemeteries which survived the war. We recited Kaddish at the mass grave there, where it is believed that 100,000+|- Jews are buried. Natalia then led us through the cemetery, pointing out the grave sites of Jewish leaders, poets, theatrical personalities., etc., and underscoring the vibrancy and significance of the Jewish people of Poland — the second most important Jewish community in the world at the beginning of the twentieth century (after NY). One has to wonder what might have been the contributions to Poland and the world had the ensuing five generations of those Polish Jews actually been born? We can only imagine.
Following the tour at the cemetery, we enjoyed lunch at a beautiful mall across the street and headed off to one of two remaining synagogues also not destroyed in the War.
Rabbi Michael Schrudryk spoke to us briefly this afternoon and when asked what he thought our take away should be, he said: Teach your students the concept of “zero tolerance for intolerance.” When we can convey this concept and put it into practice, this will indeed be a better world.
After a long and eye-opening day, we returned to the hotel and dinner. During dinner we were privileged to hear two speakers: Marian Turski, of the Polin Museum. He spoke of the slow build up of laws designed to humiliate and ostracize the Jewish population in Poland ( First, the bench; next, the swimming pool; and then the bakery). The Message to us and our students: Do It (resist and stand up for righteousness) In Time! Second speaker: Ewa Wierzyńska Suggested reading: The Volunteer to Auschwitz, by Witold Pilec. The book tells of attempt to establish an underground communication in an effort to help the prisoners escape from the camp. Another take away: While you may attempt to do something in an attempt to help and you may not succeed; at least, you must try!
A special shout out to each of our weary seminar participants who managed to stay awake and engaged following their arrival this morning! See you all bright and early tomorrow!