After the atrophy of Jewish life, which lasted almost two decades, it began to recover with the fall of communism and the commencement of democratic rule. The Jewish community was able to re-associate and new organizations appeared each year. Although the revival after the fall of communism was not as intense as after the Second World War, the steady growth of initiatives significantly influenced the visibility of the small community in Wroclaw. The support of foreign institutions, which generously financed selected projects for the renewal of Jewish life in Poland, was also of considerable importance. Among the donors we can distinguish, e.g. the foundations: Taube Philanthropies and Ronald S. Lauder.
The Jewish Community, the aim of which was not only to ensure religious, but also social and cultural activities, began operating in Wroclaw already in 1993. On the wave of democratic freedom, the interest in the Jewish Community of Wroclaw increased significantly – festivals, foundations and the press began to appear, and their aim was to disseminate Jewish culture and history. Exhibitions and scientific conferences presenting the history of Jews in Lower Silesia were also organized. It was also important to commemorate the victims of Nazism and places connected with the activity of Wroclaw Jews before the war.
The New Jewish Cemetery on Lotnicza Street (Marta Maćkowiak)
German heritage
Undoubtedly, the revival of Jewish life could not and would not have been complete without the reference to the history of the German city of Wroclaw. Polish Jews who settled here after the war and decided not to emigrate, started building a new community after the fall of communism. This community naturally drew on the achievements of German Jews – for example by taking advantage of the material heritage they had left behind. Therefore, the culture of Wroclaw Jews may differ from the culture of Jews from Eastern Poland – for example, in the way the cemeteries or synagogues look or by the terminology used. Owing to this, the contemporary reality of Wroclaw Jews is unique in the country. It is a mixture of three cultures – Jewish, Polish and German.
After the fall of communism, the cemeteries built before the war were tidied up and made available to visitors, while the White Stork Synagogue with a shul and mikvah were renovated and serve not only the Jewish community. Education has also come full circle – in 2003, the Lauder Etz Chaim school moved its headquarters to the building at Żelazna Street, the same where German Jews studied before the war.
Buildings of the Jewish Community of Wroclaw
Challenges
Although Wroclaw appears to be one of the most tolerant cities on the map of Poland, unfortunately there are still manifestations of anti-Semitism and hate speech here. The most famous one was undoubtedly the condemned act of burning an effigy of a Jew in the Market Square in Wroclaw in 2015 during the demonstration of the National-Radical Camp. Other, minor, but unfortunately frequent xenophobic behaviors include the placing the symbols of Nazism (swastika, Celtic cross) and anti-Semitic graffiti (the star of David on a gallows) in the urban space on an almost mass scale. There were also profanations and destruction of matzevot or walls of Jewish cemeteries. Anti-Semitic slogans are also often preached at gatherings organized by nationalists.
The Jewish heritage of Wroclaw is the property of all inhabitants, regardless of their religion or origin. Strengthening the awareness of the significant contribution of Jews to the construction and development of the city is one of the many challenges that Wroclaw’s residents are currently facing. The integration of Jewish organisations and the continuation of activities aimed at presenting the religious and cultural life of Wroclaw Jews as well as arousing the residents’ interest in the Jewish history of the capital of Lower Silesia will certainly help. Notwithstanding this, the efforts of other city organizations working on intercultural dialogue and anti-discrimination are also needed, not only to combat anti-Semitic behavior in the city, but also to promote intercultural dialogue that will benefit all minorities. Undoubtedly, it is also necessary to commemorate important places associated with the history of Jews, which have been forgotten for years and no longer function in the social consciousness of Wroclaw residents – here we can mention the demolished Jewish Theological Seminary or the razed cemetery at Gwarna Street.
Entrance to the Jewish Community of Wroclaw