Future Directions for Jewish LIfe in Poland: Strategic Ideas for Building a Progressive Jewish Movement in Poland.

Friends of Jewish Renewal in Poland (FJRP), a 501(c)(3) organization, is the applicant. FJRP is the American fund-raising arm for Beit Polska. Beit Polska was registered as a religious entity in 2009 and is the national Polish umbrella organization for Progressive Jewish Communities in Poland. Beit Polska’s task is fostering Progressive Jewish communities throughout Poland by supportive activities, facilitating education and regularizing people’s Jewish status, training congregational leaders and providing a proper legal framework under Polish law and Jewish practice.

FJRP’s allocations are divided into three categories: (1) Beit Polska, which is affiliated with the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) and its European counter-part, the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) and Friends of Jewish Renewal in Poland (FJRP). (2) Beit Warszawa (the Beit Polska flagship congregation), which includes the synagogue, a commercial kitchen, social hall, offices, an apartment for guests, and an apartment for the Rabbi. And, (3) other groups affiliated with the goals of Friends of Jewish Renewal in Poland.

This document refers to Beit Polska activities in Poland that are supported by the applicant: FJRP.

A Brief History of Progressive Judaism in Poland

Beit Polska is the renewal and continuation of the Jewish community that was founded in 1803 in Warsaw, spread throughout Polish lands and grew by 1939 to be 10% of Poland’s Jews. We are called Progressive (postembowy) throughout the 19th and 20th Century. Today Friends of Jewish Renewal in Poland, the European Union for Progressive Judaism, and World Union for Progressive Judaism are the sponsors of Beit Polska. A number of colleagues form Beit Polska are writing a book about this overlooked part of non-Orthodox Judaism’s life in Poland, with a professor Michal Galas from Jagiellonian University. Professor Galas has just published in English a history of 19th Century Dr. Rabbi Marcus Jastrow, a Polish patriot and leader of Philadelphia’s Reform and Conservative movements. Jastrow is the author of a famous Rabbinic dictionary.)

Project Summary

To jump directly to any of the projects listed below, simply click on it.

Non-Profit Ventures:

These are non-profit businesses that will realize a return to support Beit Polska initiatives. These venture projects will draw on talented people from our congregational community. Beit Polska has established a non-profit entity responsible to the board, to foster ventures that will be conducted as businesses, to bring in income to the Beit Polska goal of self-sufficiency. Initially, the expected profit will be limited, but the model of operation and accountability will reflect an entrepreneurial spirit that will benefit the growth of the Progressive Polish Jewish community, provide for the general business and social welfare of Polish society. These projects will provide substantial part-time work for community members. The business training will create important community dynamics that will re-introduce a sense of market economy, and improved community cohesion. These venture projects will provide legitimacy and visibility for Progressive Judaism in Poland.

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