The latest "National Census," published by the Bureau of Statistics in Poland, has revealed a significant and heartening development in the country's demographics. Currently, more than 17 thousand individuals proudly identify themselves as Jews residing in Poland. This demographic shift marks a remarkable increase in both the sheer number of Jewish individuals and their willingness to openly acknowledge their Jewish heritage.
In the painful aftermath of the Holocaust, many Jews who chose to remain in Poland concealed their Jewish identity due to deep-seated fears of persecution and violence at the hands of their Polish neighbors. A census conducted in 2011 painted a rather muted picture, with only about 7,500 individuals self-identifying as Jews. An astounding 78% of them considered their Jewishness as secondary, often overshadowed by their Polish identity. However, the latest survey presents an entirely different narrative. Approximately half of those who now proudly identify as Jews prioritize their Jewish heritage as their primary identity.
" אֲשֶר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לֵישֵׁב בַּסֻּכָּה "
— Amb. Yacov Livne 🇮🇱 (@YacovLivne) September 29, 2023
בפעם הראשונה יש סוכה בשגרירות ישראל בוורשה. חג סוכות שמח!
For the first time, the traditional Jewish Sukkah stands at the Israeli Embassy in Warsaw. Happy #Sukkot ! pic.twitter.com/I63ttLLwOi
In summary, the past decade has witnessed a staggering 220% increase in the number of individuals identifying as Jews in Poland. Yet, many experts and observers believe that the actual figure could be even higher. Notably, there has been a notable uptick in Poles discovering their Jewish roots. Various estimates suggest that the true number of Jews in Poland might surpass 50 thousand, as asserted by sources within the Jewish community in Poland.
During a recent reception for the Jewish community, hosted by Israel's ambassador to Poland, Dr. Yacov Livne, the ambassador expressed his optimism about this shifting trend: "I am heartened to see that an increasing number of people in Poland are shedding their fears and openly embracing their Jewish heritage. The recent strengthening of ties between Israel and Poland is not only fortifying the bond between the State of Israel and the Jewish community but also working towards the preservation of Jewish heritage in Poland."
However, alongside this remarkable resurgence in the Jewish community, there exists a palpable sense of concern about the future. In just two weeks, Poland is scheduled to hold elections for its parliament. Among the parties vying for power is the "Confederation" party, which includes individuals from the extreme right. The Jewish community is understandably anxious that this party's potential success in the elections could trigger a resurgence of anti-Semitism, posing a significant threat to their newfound sense of security.
75 lat izraelsko-polskiej historii! Wczoraj w gronie przyjaciół zgromadziliśmy się, żeby upamiętnić otwarcie pierwszej placówki dyplomatycznej Państwa Izrael na świecie!
— Ambasada Izraela (@IsraelinPoland) September 27, 2023
Tak jak w 1948 r. nasz pierwszy wysłannik Israel Barzilaj, pozdrowiliśmy Warszawę z balkonu Hotelu Bristol… pic.twitter.com/lkIkQviQ43
As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen Jewish identity and emphasize its importance, the Israeli embassy in Warsaw took a historic step this year by erecting a sukkah in its courtyard. This symbolic gesture underscores the commitment to preserving and celebrating Jewish culture and heritage in the heart of Poland.
