Beit Polska’s multi faceted vision for the renewal of Progressive Polish Jewish life is supported by Friends of Jewish Renewal in Poland (501 3c) and the European/World Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ/ WUPJ). In addition we seek your vital support–through your foundation, through family celebrations and memorials, and through your personal gifts.
Click here to see the ‘omnibus’ projects; we seek your partnership and collaboration.Your interest is key to redeveloping Jewish life in Poland. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and blogs, PolishJewsReviving.org and RabbiBeliakBlog.org, and help us create the miracle.
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.
Target $15,000 per year
This project addresses strong market demand in Poland for Polish-language books and video to re-introduce Jews and Judaism to the Polish speaking community. The publications and video service will present a modern approach to Jews and Judaism that moves beyond the “shtetl stereotypes.”
Books: A range of books will be prepared for publication, including: Children and Adult Jewish education books, novels, poetry, history. Popular books in the West with potential readership in Poland about Jews and Judaism are being translated into modern Polish and then published and distributed. Many of the books will fill a gap in the Polish market that reflect on the work of several authors seeking to understand Polish – Jewish relations and new material portraying contemporary life. An agreement with Jewish Lights Publishing is in formation. A key part of the distribution network will be on-line sales but also the new museum in Warsaw, “Polin: The History of Polish-Jewish History.” The museum gift shop has expressed an interest in carrying our books. A modest beginning ($15,000 per year), will be sufficient to publish two adult books, and one illustrated children’s book per year. We are considering some joint ventures to translate from English to Polish as well as Polish to English language books under proper licensing agreements, and to prepare various methods of presentation including traditional books, electronic books and print-on-demand–all printed and published in Poland.
Videos: An extensive library of videos are being prepared to re-introduce Jews and Judaism to Poland and other Slavic countries. Lectures in Polish from the Step by Step class and other presentations are being edited for use by people seeking knowledge about Judaism. The audience includes people seeking to reconnect to Judaism and students seeking information for reports. Lectures and other material originally prepared for the Step-by-Step classes as well as the Lay Cantors’ program are being made available to a wider audience behind electronic “links” available on the new website. A whole section on Jewish prayer and supporting articles about prayer translated from Jewish Light will be available to accompany the new Beit Polska Sidur.
Note: The Videos can be used for fund-raising both inside Poland and worldwide.
Objectives:
- Translation and publication of 2 books per year:
- A children’s book (part of a 4-book series), already submitted to publisher
- Louise Steinman’s The Crooked Mirror: Reflection of Polish/Jewish Conv–ersation
- Sign agreement with Jewish Lights Publications to represent them in Poland
- Sign agreement with Minorities Commission of Poland, to support publications
- Develop distribution network through Polin (Museum of Polish History) and commercial ventures
- Produce ten “Introduction to Judaism” videos/year (classes taught by Dariuz Szajnert and Rabbi Gil Nativ) These lectures will have additional features, including maps, music
- Produce five special lectures (in Polish) in video format
Activities:
- Letters/communications with schools announcing resources, books, speakers, and web resources;
- Use social media to inform the public of what we are doing
- Provide adult and children’s books explaining Jewish life
- We have a several books that we are negotiating for the translation rights
Partnering Organizations:
- We have a relationship with Jewish Lights publisher Stuart Maitlin
Staffing:
- Joanna
- Marek
- Izza
- Rabbi
Click here to return to the main Omnibus Grant Application.
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