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Progressive Synagogues in Poland as Centers of Patriotic Teaching

Wednesday, December 4, 7:30 pm
Skalny Lecture
Dr. Michał Galas, Associate Professor at the Institute of Jewish Studies,
Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland, and Skalny Visiting Professor

Author of many publications on Jewish spirituality in Poland, among others:
Rabbi Marcus Jastrow and His Vision for the Reform of Judaism. A Study in the History of Judaism in the Nineteenth Century (Academic Studies Press: Boston 2013)
Jews in Kraków. Polin: Studies in Polish Jewry, vol. 23, edited by Michał Galas and Antony Polonsky, (Littman Library of
Jewish Civilization: Oxford - Portland OR 2011)

Sloan Auditorium, Goergen Hall, UR River Campus
Free and open to the public

Tempel in Kraków

In the second half of the nineteenth century, supporters of progressive Judaism in Poland started to identify themselves with Polish culture, which is well illustrated by their self-identification as "Poles of Mosaic persuasion." Such identification caused an acculturation to Polish culture which could be observed in celebrations that took place in the progressive synagogues and in the activities of their preachers. The most vivid examples of acculturation were patriotic manifestations, speeches, and prayers that were conducted in the synagogues. The lecture will discuss patriotism as a part of the progressives' program in three centers of progressive Judaism, Warsaw, Kraków and Lviv.