I can't read this without reference to Harry Turtledove's Shtetl Days (warning: Nazis). Also, the Pale of Settlement mentioned happens to include much of the territory that Russia is disputing or...
I can't read this without reference to Harry Turtledove's Shtetl Days (warning: Nazis).
Also, the Pale of Settlement mentioned happens to include much of the territory that Russia is disputing or attempting to recolonize. My paternal ancestors came from Galicia, which swapped between Poland and Ukraine a few times. It hasn't stopped being complicated.
I've been fascinated by the history of Polish and Jewish peoples for a while, partly from my Polish heritage and partly because it is so messy and complicated. Yes, there is and has been...
I've been fascinated by the history of Polish and Jewish peoples for a while, partly from my Polish heritage and partly because it is so messy and complicated. Yes, there is and has been deep-seated antisemitism within Polish culture, but that is also true for every European country. Yes, the majority of Poles stood by and did nothing to help their Jewish neighbors in the holocaust, but neither did the French or Italian or other European peoples. The history of Poland is inextricably linked to the Jewish people, and I think that is a beautiful, if often sad, thing.
Poland and the rest of the Pale were the collision points for Eastern and Western Christianity. It was easy to avoid internecine strife by aiming Christian animosities at the local Jewry. This was...
Poland and the rest of the Pale were the collision points for Eastern and Western Christianity. It was easy to avoid internecine strife by aiming Christian animosities at the local Jewry. This was explicit policy negotiated among the clergy of the various sects, as was promotion of the blood libel. It's not surprising that the Christian devout weren't willing to help Jews under any circumstances.
You can add in the traditional religious prohibitions on usury that resulted in lending at interest only by Jews throughout most of the region. Hence the resentment and jealousy of perceived wealth that led to the "Lucky Jew" (ha!) figurines.
I can't read this without reference to Harry Turtledove's Shtetl Days (warning: Nazis).
Also, the Pale of Settlement mentioned happens to include much of the territory that Russia is disputing or attempting to recolonize. My paternal ancestors came from Galicia, which swapped between Poland and Ukraine a few times. It hasn't stopped being complicated.
I've been fascinated by the history of Polish and Jewish peoples for a while, partly from my Polish heritage and partly because it is so messy and complicated. Yes, there is and has been deep-seated antisemitism within Polish culture, but that is also true for every European country. Yes, the majority of Poles stood by and did nothing to help their Jewish neighbors in the holocaust, but neither did the French or Italian or other European peoples. The history of Poland is inextricably linked to the Jewish people, and I think that is a beautiful, if often sad, thing.
Poland and the rest of the Pale were the collision points for Eastern and Western Christianity. It was easy to avoid internecine strife by aiming Christian animosities at the local Jewry. This was explicit policy negotiated among the clergy of the various sects, as was promotion of the blood libel. It's not surprising that the Christian devout weren't willing to help Jews under any circumstances.
You can add in the traditional religious prohibitions on usury that resulted in lending at interest only by Jews throughout most of the region. Hence the resentment and jealousy of perceived wealth that led to the "Lucky Jew" (ha!) figurines.