Jewish Roots In Poland

Given in memory of Robert C. Runnels by Sandra Runnels.

Given in memory of Robert C. Runnels by Sandra Runnels.

National Jewish Book Award Finalist: “A fresh and delightful portrait of Jewish renewal in Poland . . . Highly recommended.” —Choice Since the end of Communism, Jews from around the world have visited Poland to tour Holocaust-related sites. A few venture further, seeking to learn about their own Polish roots and connect with contemporary Poles. For their part, a growing number of Poles are fascinated by all things Jewish. In this book, Erica T. Lehrer explores the intersection of Polish and Jewish memory projects in the historically Jewish neighborhood of Kazimierz in Krakow. Her own journey becomes part of the story as she demonstrates that Jews and Poles use spaces, institutions, interpersonal exchanges, and cultural representations to make sense of their historical inheritances.

Annotation A history of Jews in Poland-Lithuania in the eighteenth century which argues that this largest Jewish community in the world at that time must be at the center of consideration of modernity in Jewish history.

"This book is the result of research carried out over a period of ten years. Most of the fieldwork was performed as part of my doctoral program at the Melton Centre for Jewish Education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem" - p. 9.

Dramatic personal stories of the unexpected discovery of a Jewish heritage.