“The Past Is Never Dead. It’s Not Even Past.”

by Gordon Haber

Pretty church, ugly history. Photo: strawberrylizzie via Flickr.

Pretty church, ugly history. Photo: strawberrylizzie via Flickr.

 

Recently I read that the cathedral in Sandomierz, Poland, has re-unveiled a famous 17th century painting of Jews exsanguinating Christian babies. The news prompted me to take another look at the notes from my own trip to Poland on a Fulbright fellowship and write about it for the Forward.

I was shocked by the painting, and every time I think about it I get pissed off. But I was really pleased to see a follow-up piece about an encouraging dialogue in Sandomierz between Christians and Jews.

For many Jews, just saying the word “Poland” brings up some complicated feelings. But if you care about such things, I urge you to read both pieces and tell me what you think.