To make things normal between us

If some states and nations are remorseful because they have done nothing for the Jews, they must find a victim upon whom they will shift responsibility according to the principle “ it was them, not me” - answers Rabbi Symcha Keller in “Culmination of Words,” when asked about accusations against Poland of anti-Semitism on the international stage.

"It is very difficult to find a passive middle ground in a marriage that has lasted more than 800 years. A marriage with such a long duration either has a great deal of love for each other, or a glaciation of the relationship occurs," says rabbi, cantor and musician Symcha Keller about Polish-Jewish relations today.

At the same time, the guest of “KULminacja Słów” points out that our common history is extremely beautiful and rich in good relations. Poland for centuries (all the way back to the 11th century when Jews began to settle in our country) was open to Jews. Here they felt safe, here was an oasis of freedom for Jews. Here they developed their culture, nurtured their religion, received autonomy. When stakes were burning in Europe, Poland was an asylum of safety. According to Symcha Keller, everything started to break down in the 20-year interwar period. But disagreements did not erupt at all on religious or cultural grounds, but on economic grounds. Asked if we were further divided by World War II, he admits that yes, although he points out: "Our mutual relations were more affected by the events after the war, namely the pogroms, whether in Kielce, Czestochowa or Krakow. They caused a very big wound and glued the patch of anti-Semitism to the Poles."

At the same time, the rabbi himself immediately points out that for Jews today Poland is synonymous with safety, that it is difficult to find a more secure country where Hasidim, rabbis and religious Jews can freely move around without any fear. Additionally, he mentions that it is in Poland today that there are the largest number of festivals and various events nurturing Jewish traditions. Symcha Keller disagrees categorically that the patch of the Polish-anti-Semite is still in effect.

"We like to look at the wrong things, to take out the negative opinions of people who haven't done their history homework. We take out the statements of some political hooligan from Israel who is looking out for his vested interests. Let's remember that politics is demagoguery. Someone recognizes that anti-Polishness will be politically expedient, while another recognizes that anti-Semitism will be the same, and demons on both sides are set in motion, and it's easy to awaken demons in people," says Wojciech Andrusiewicz's guest.

“I would like to dream of having normalcy in our relations, like in yours with Hungary or the Czech Republic,” Symcha Keller concludes.

You can listen to the interview at the following link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wbhZFBAhxC7V3B7igCCXn?si=tPm7sGPjRRWShv4oQGiDBg