A New Moment For Jewish Rebirth And Development
Prospects and Directions
Jewish Renewal in Poland … It is happening!
Something “new” was created in Poland by the 1995 founding of Beit Warszawa, with pioneering visionary work of philanthropist Severyn Ashkenazy: a warm and cozy Shabbes (weekly celebrations with candles, fellowship, prayer, music, and good food). Shabbes awakened the existing generation of Warsaw’s Jews to the appeal of Jewish life.
Beit Polska began as a national umbrella organization of Progressive communities (“Beits” or havurot or in Polish, gemina) in Warsaw in 2008, for Poles curious to discover and reclaim their Judaism to gather, and for non-Jewish Poles interested to know about Judaism; and it is now the premier organization for Jewish Renewal in Poland. The Beit Polska communities are an organic outgrowth of Beit Warszawa, and now we are seeking to extend this experience to even more places in Poland.
This renaissance of Jewish congregational life and cultural activity has been sponsored by Friends of Jewish Renewal in Poland, and by the World Union for Progressive Judaism–along with its European counter-part, the European Union for Progressive Judaism, and also with cooperation of Conservative Masorti (Europe and Israel).
Beit Polska’s primary goal is to attract Poles who are realizing that they have a connection to Judaism, and to offer a safe home base where they may gather, share their stories and build their own community. This is a renewal of Poland’s rich history of Progressive Judaism dating back to the late 18th century. Progressive Judaism was roughly equivalent to what became the Reconstructionist/Reform/Conservative movements.
Beit Polska focuses on endorsing religious freedom and developing a diverse Jewish community.
Beit Warszawa is the flagship congregation functioning under the umbrella of the Beit Polska organization; now spreading Jewish pride and knowledge to communities (“Beits” or “chavurot”) in other locations throughout Poland. With Beit Warszawa and the new Beits developing throughout Poland, Jewish adults and children are learning about their heritage through Sunday schools, study weekends, and a summer camp opportunities; and curious Polish Christians are discovering and learning about Jewish culture.
New Initiatives and Achievements
Beit Polska works cooperatively with Jewish Poles, developing a homegrown leadership of rabbis, teachers, and lay leaders. All the Beits draw people together for Shabbes and holidays, study of Judaism, and Jewish association. A modern Progressive Siddur (prayer book) is almost complete in Polish translation, Hebrew and Hebrew transliteration, the first in more than 75 years.
New Jewish congregations are emerging in:
• Beit Bialystok
• Beit Lublin
• Beit Lodz
• Beit Plock
• Beit Poznan
• Beit Konstancin
• Beit Trójmiasto (Gdansk, Sopot, and Gdynia)
• Beit Katowice (w formacji)
The creation of the modern State of Israel was the crowning Jewish achievement of the 20th Century. The restoration of Jewish vitality in Poland will be a crowning Jewish achievement of the 21st Century. That is our mission. |
Need for Funds
We believe that all Jews today have a generational responsibility in achieving Jewish renewal in Poland during the 21st century, which is analogous to the 20th century achievement of establishing Israel.
This all costs money. Even relatively small amounts will have a huge impact and provide for future direction of Polish Jewish life. This impact in turn will leave its mark on many Polish Jews who are seeking to discover and recover their heritage. It will also have an impact on non-Jewish Poles who often come to our services and events, showing an act of both solidarity and hope. We are happy to send you details about vital practical programs and projects that will sustain the rebirth of Jewish life in Poland. We are convinced that your members will be excited to be partners in the renewal of Jewish life. Please write to: RabbiBeliak@jewishrenewalinpoland.org
Consider using our website to build a community around your support, attract new partners, and track your progress in underwriting specific programs or projects.
- You might choose to partner with your friends to celebrate a simcha by adopting a project.
- Connect with your roots in Poland by co-sponsoring a new emerging community near your family’s genealogical home.
- We invite young people – youth groups and Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidates to consider a tzedakah project contributing to Beit Polska.
- Your congregation could establish a twinning program with a new Beit.
- You might choose to partner with your friends to celebrate a simcha by adopting a project.
Consider making a general and sustaining donation to Beit Polska for two zlote a day – $240 a year (or amount in English pounds) or a supporting donation of $1,000/year or more.
We are supported by the World/European Union for Progressive Judaism and the Friends of Jewish Renewal in Poland, both of which are 501(c)(3) organizations.
Friends of Jewish Renewal in Poland:
JewishRenewalinPoland.org
P.O. Box 5438, Beverly Hills, CA 90209
World Union for Progressive Judaism North American Office:
wupj.org/Congregations/NorthAmerica.asp
633 Third Ave, 6th floor., New York, NY 10017-6778
Rabbi Haim Dov Beliak, Executive Director Beit Polska:
Skype: bernhard.beliak
Office: 310-910-9153
Study: 310-286-9991
US cell: 310-592-8960
Polish cell: +48-514-063-700 (note new number)
Blog: RabbiBeliakBlog.org
Email: RabbiBeliak@JewishRenewalinPoland.org
Leave a Reply