tragic Jewish history plays out in real time: the need for European Jewish heritage narratives now more urgent than ever

On October 7th, a barbaric attack unfolded in Israel, sending shockwaves across the globe. In an instant, the context of our involvement in crafting a Jewish Heritage Route in Belarus, as part of the broader European Route of Jewish Heritage, underwent a profound transformation. A new chapter in Jewish history is being written and its pages bear the stain of yet more bloodshed – bloodshed we have seen before. This deeply traumatic shift in the landscape has cast a grim light on resurgent antisemitism, with both Palestinians and Israelis caught in the crosshairs of ideological extremists hell-bent on erasing Israel and exploiting Palestinians to further their sinister agenda.

In the shadow of these terrible global events, Debra Brunner and Artur Livshyts embarked on a journey to Poland last week, joining an incubator training week alongside their fellow route managers dedicated to the AEPJ European Route of Jewish Heritage. This gathering took on a heightened significance against the backdrop of the ongoing turmoil in Israel. Their journey commenced in Warsaw, where they explored the tools essential for constructing successful heritage routes. The training program encompassed vital aspects such as storytelling, the art of narrative construction, sustainability, and the alignment of objectives with the UNDP’s sustainable development goals—all closely intertwined with Cultural Heritage Routes.

Throughout the course of the training, Warsaw served as the hub for intellectual exploration, facilitated by the gracious hospitality of the Taube Center for Jewish Life and Learning. However, the experience extended beyond the bustling streets of Warsaw. Their sojourn also led them to Lublin offering a unique opportunity to confront the challenges of preserving and transmitting heritage in spaces marked by both absence and presence and an opportunity to explore the narrative of the Shtetl Routes.

 

This intensive training week underscored the pivotal leadership of the European Routes of Jewish Heritage within the context of Cultural Routes certified by the Council of Europe. The focus extended to various dimensions, including the development of heritage narratives and the profound connection between cultural experiences and their capacity to shape citizens’ critical understanding of Jewish history and society. It addressed the use of these narratives as powerful tools for awareness-raising, and the vital role that European Jewish Heritage Routes play in advancing these objectives.

 

 

Throughout the week, participants had the opportunity to explore a range of historically significant sites, each of which contributed to the analysis and development of our heritage narratives. These included visits to:

The Emanuel Ringelblum and the Oneg Shabbat permanent exhibition at the Jewish Historical Institute.

The Warsaw Jewish Cemetery.

 

 

The shtetl town of Kazimierz Dolny.

The Holocaust Memorial Wall at Kazimierz Dolny

 

 

The former Yeshiva Chachmei in Lublin, now the Ilan Hotel, and an introduction to the Virtual Library of Lublin Yeshiva. Watch the short film here.

 

 

The Brama Grodzka – NN Theatre and ‘Lublin Memory of the Place’ exhibition. For centuries, the Grodzka Gate was also called the Jewish Gate because it was the passage between the Old Town and the Jewish district.

 

 

 

The Lublin Old Jewish Cemetery.

 

 

The House of Words.

The site of the Jewish massacre at Leczna Synagogue.

The solemn Sobibor Memorial.

 

 

 

The Wlodawa Synagogue Museum.

 

These visits provided a profound and immersive experience, enabling participants to better understand the intricacies of Jewish heritage, both in its presence and in the haunting absence left by the events of history. It was a week marked by reflection, learning, and the deepening of the commitment to preserving and sharing the rich tapestry of Jewish history in Europe.

 

During the exploration of these historic sites, the team of heritage practitioners traced a path that revealed the extraordinary and enduring contributions made by Jewish communities over the centuries to the fabric of daily life in towns and cities throughout Poland. Simultaneously, they confronted the painful and tragic legacy of violence and destruction wrought upon these Jewish communities during the dark era of antisemitism and Nazi rule.

What stood out remarkably was the unwavering commitment of the Polish non-Jewish community to safeguard and preserve the memory of the lost Jewish communities. This commitment extended to the protection of invaluable architectural treasures and artefacts, ranging from ornate synagogues to unassuming wooden structures that once held pivotal roles in Jewish daily life, such as the cherished butcher shop in Kazimierz Dolny. Notable examples of this dedication included the perpetually lit street lamp outside the Brama Grodzka (Grodzka Gate), symbolizing the Ner Tamid or the everlasting light that traditionally burns in synagogues and the extraordinary exhibition of black and white photographs based on the incredible discovery of 2700 glass negatives found in the attic of a building on Rynek 4 in May 2012. Click here to watch a short film.

The House of Words stands as a remarkable institution, formerly known as the Chamber of Printing, and serves as a museum of typography in Poland. It is far more than just a museum; it has evolved into a dynamic multimodal education center. This unique establishment introduces its audience to the worlds of poetry and art, delves into the historical techniques of printing (with an array of fully operational printing presses), and it chronicles the rich history and remarkable achievements of Lublin’s printing industry.

 

 

Beyond its historical and educational role, The House of Words also functions as a vibrant cultural space. It embodies a compelling narrative of resistance and offers immersive workshops in the ancient crafts of papermaking and bookbinding. In the contemporary landscape, marked by the constant barrage of misinformation and information warfare, the message conveyed by The House of Words assumes unparalleled significance.

This institution reminds us of the inherent power of words, a power that can be harnessed for both noble and nefarious purposes. In a world where words are wielded as weapons, this centre serves as a beacon of enlightenment, underscoring the responsibility that comes with the written and spoken word. It champions the notion that words, with their profound influence, can be harnessed as forces for good, underlining the enduring relevance of its mission in today’s complex and ever-evolving information landscape.

The work undertaken by the route builders in Poland reflects a remarkable attention to detail and thought. Their efforts are not just about preserving history but also about celebrating and honouring the enduring legacy of Jewish culture, while forging a deeper understanding and connection between communities. This commitment serves as a testament to the enduring power of shared heritage and the profound impact it can have on fostering unity and preserving the memories of those who came before us.

As the world grapples with the turmoil in Israel and the reemergence of antisemitism, the mission of constructing the European Route of Jewish Heritage takes on a newfound urgency. In the face of adversity, we at The Together Plan, along with the team of dedicated practitioners that we work alongside, are equipping ourselves with the knowledge and tools necessary to ensure the enduring legacy of Jewish heritage while building bridges of understanding in a world that appears increasingly divided and we will continue to play our part as we now apply our new learnings to the building of our route in Belarus, which in turn is a vehicle for community growth and development in Belarus.

 

We would like to thank Emil Majuk and his team at the Brama Grodska NN Theatre, Lublin and inspiration behind the Shtetl Routes, Helise Lieberman and Pawel Lukaszewicz of the Taube Center for Jewish Life and Learning (Warsaw) and Marc Francesch Camps and Victor Sorennson of the AEPJ for their work in putting the training incubator together.