A World Before A Catastrophe - Krakow's Jews Between the Wars
| Date: | Tuesday 23 February 2010 - |
| Time: | 7 - 10pm |
| Location: | Czech Memorial Scrolls Museum, Kent House, Rutland Gardens, London SW7 1BX |
The world of Kraków's Jews is far more than just an airbrushed snapshot of the Kazimierz Jewish quarter of Kraków. Traces of that world pop up in the most unexpected places. And that is what this exhibition is about.
They were not newcomers. They had lived in Kraków for centuries; Many of them had fought during the World War I for Polish independence. And later - in the local assemblies, the city council, the university, in schools, architecture studios, law offices and doctors' surgeries - they worked to rebuild the state ruined by the partitioning of Poland between Russia, Prussia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They were remarkably close-knit: they opened a new hospital, and financed their own schools and orphanages. They had their own sports clubs, which achieved international successes. They ran their own theatre and published an excellent newspaper - in Polish. But they were not a monolithic body. They argued fiercely. About whether their first language was Polish, Hebrew or Yiddish. About where Israel's true home was. About the role of religion in the life of the people. About whether tradition or progress was more important.
Join us for a special reception to celebrate the launch of the exhibition on Tuesday 23rd February from 7pm - 10pm and enjoy guest speakers including Jonathan Ornstein, Director of the Krakow Jewish Commuinty Centre, founded by WJR. He will be talking about Jewish life in modern day Krakow. For more information please contact Laura on 020 8736 1253.
