Postwar Poland: Holocaust Memory and Jewish Resilience
After the War
What happened to Jews returning to Gniewoszów was not an isolated incident in Poland. Even after the war, antisemitism persisted and acts of violence against Jews (called pogroms) did occur. One of the most shocking took place in the Polish city of Kielce. In July 1946, Polish soldiers, police, and civilians formed a mob that killed at least 42 Jews and injured more than 40 others. This was not the only act of violence against Jews in Poland after the Holocaust, but it was the most devastating. Happening just one year after the war, the massacre horrified people around the world. Learn more about the Kielce Pogrom.
In your classroom:
View the following testimonies as primary sources about the Kielce Pogrom, and then use the discussion questions to guide your conversation.
Discussion Questions:
- In Among Neighbors and the example of the Kielce Pogrom, we see how ordinary people in a Polish town turned on their Jewish neighbors even after the Holocaust. What does that reveal about the long-lasting impact of antisemitism in Poland?
- The sources provided describe how rumors and false accusations (like the blood libel in Kielce) led to violence against Jews. Why do you think communities were so quick to believe these lies?
- Among Neighbors highlights the experiences of survivors trying to piece together their past. The postwar Kielce and Gniewoszów pogroms show how survivors faced new dangers even after liberation. How might events like these have influenced survivors’ choices about whether to stay in Poland or rebuild their lives elsewhere?
Holocaust Memory
In Poland today, people have different opinions about Jews and the Holocaust. Most Poles agree it is important to remember what happened, and sites such as the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum are seen as powerful reminders. Many Poles also focus on stories of Polish heroes who risked their lives to help Jews, as well as the harsh Nazi occupation of Poland which led to great suffering of non-Jewish Poles during World War II.
Visitors at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
Courtesy of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum
At the same time, not everyone knows the full history. Some Poles and others around the world underestimate the total number of Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust (6 million), and a minority of Poles still believe antisemitic stereotypes about Jews. While open hatred is less common, these negative ideas still exist.
In 2018, Poland passed a law that made it illegal to accuse “the Polish nation” of being responsible for Nazi crimes. The law was meant to protect Poland’s reputation, but critics said it could make it harder to speak honestly about cases where Poles harmed Jews.
Overall, Polish society memorializes the Holocaust, but the memory is often tied to national pride and identity. The country continues to wrestle with how to tell both stories: the bravery of Poles who helped, and the painful truth that some Poles also willingly participated in or initiated the murder of Jews.
In your classroom:
Divide your class into small groups and have each group read one of the following articles. Following their review of the article, have groups share a summary and respond to the following discussion questions.
- What to Know about the Spate of Antisemitic Incidents in Poland
- Poland’s Memory Wars: The Legal Governance of History
- Museum Concerned Over Polish Education Minister’s Remarks on Jedwabne Pogrom
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think some Poles focus more on stories of bravery than on cases of wrongdoing?
- How might laws like the 2018 Holocaust law affect how history is taught or discussed?
- Why is it important to remember both the heroes and the victims when studying the Holocaust?
Preservation and Revival of Jewish Life
In the years since the Holocaust and postwar dispersal, Poland’s Jewish community has embarked on a quiet but meaningful resurgence. From synagogues and community centers to cultural initiatives and educational programs, communities across the country are helping new generations reconnect with Jewish history, faith, and identity. Festivals, art, music, and heritage walks attract both local Jews and curious Poles alike, bridging memory and renewal.
This renaissance is not just about preserving what was lost—it’s about creating living, dynamic Jewish life in Poland today, rooted in tradition yet reaching into the future. At the same time that the Jewish community in Poland is experiencing a resurgence, the memory of the Holocaust remains contested, as highlighted by Among Neighbors and these accompanying resources.
In your classroom:
Watch the short films on the renewal of Jewish culture in Poland and the preservation of Jewish history. Then use the discussion questions and writing prompt to help students reflect on how memory, history, and community rebuilding connect after the Holocaust.
Discussion Questions:
- What are some of the ways people in Poland are preserving Jewish history, and why is this important today?
- How do the videos show the difference between remembering the past and creating a future for Jewish life in Poland?
- What role do both Jewish and non-Jewish communities play in keeping Jewish culture and memory alive in Poland?
- What challenges might people face when trying to revive traditions or rebuild communities that were almost destroyed?
- After watching these videos, what do you think “Jewish awakening” in Poland means, and what questions does it raise for you about identity and memory?
Reflective Writing Prompt:
Think about the idea of remembering the past versus creating a future. How do you see these two ideas connecting in your own life, community, or culture?