The Old Country, Revisited: Jewish Belonging and Betrayal in Poland

Ever since Joseph’s invitation to Egypt turned opportunity into slavery, the Jewish experience in host countries has been fraught with paradox. This class focuses on Poland as a case study in the complexities of diaspora life—where Jews were at times welcomed, granted rights and autonomy, and at other times marginalized, attacked, and persecuted. We’ll explore modern-day Poland, where Jewish cultural revivals are often led by non-Jews, even as the country wrestles with confronting its historical truths. Through the eyes of a frequent visitor tracing her family’s Holocaust history, we’ll consider how memory, belonging, and rejection continue to shape our understanding of Jewish life in lands once called home.

Judy Rakowsky is the author of the critically acclaimed narrative nonfiction book Jews in the Garden that the New York Times said, “reads like a thriller” and which was an editor’s choice of the New York Times book review. She spent decades on deadline as an award-winning investigative reporter and editor at the Boston Globe, People Magazine, the Providence Journal, and other outlets. As a young reporter she got to know Cousin Sam, a survivor of the Krakow ghetto and Nazi concentration camps who later raised a family in Ohio. She traveled again and again to Poland with Sam in pursuit of a cousin who survived the massacre of her family in hiding with brave Poles. Describing those discoveries—the true history of what happened to these relatives—was outlawed in 2018 by the Polish government. Coverage of Jews in the Garden can be found in The New York Times, NPR’s Book of the Day, USA Today, Boston Globe Magazine, The Times of Israel, The Providence Journal, and other outlets. She lives in Cambridge, MA with her husband Sam.

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.