Social and Cultural Association of Jews in Poland

The Social and Cultural Association of Jews in Poland (Polish: Towarzystwo Społeczno-Kulturalne Żydów w Polsce, TSKŻ; Yiddish: Ḳulṭur-Gezelshafṭlekher Farband fun di Yidn in Poyln) is a secular Jewish organization in Poland. It was founded on 29 October 1950 as a result of a merger between the Central Committee of Jews in Poland and the Jewish Cultural Society. The organization emerged from the small community of Holocaust survivors who chose to remain in Poland and rebuild their lives there, despite facing alienation and trauma. Its objectives include supporting the Jewish community, promoting knowledge of the Yiddish language, fostering cultural awareness, and sharing knowledge about the culture, fine art, and national heritage of Polish Jews. For over 75 years, TSKŻ has implemented various cultural and educational projects aimed at preserving the national traditions of the Jewish community in Poland and emphasizing the great role that Polish Jews played in the historical shaping of Polish society, political thought, and culture. TSKŻ is the largest Jewish organization in Poland, with approximately 2,700 members. It is a member of the World Jewish Congress and the European Jewish Congress. The organization publishes a bilingual monthly magazine in Yiddish and Polish called Słowo Żydowskie (Dos Jidisze Wort). Its administrative headquarters are located in Wałbrzych, Poland. TSKŻ operates through numerous branches across the country and runs various activities, including the Śródborowianka Centre, Days of Remembrance, and the Babel Club. The organization also engages in commemorations of historical events, such as the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, and participates in minority rights advocacy through the Joint Commission of the Government and National and Ethnic Minorities. Throughout its history, TSKŻ has been led by several notable chairpersons. The first was Grzegorz Smolar (Hirsch Smolar), who served from 1950 to 1962, followed by Leopold Trepper until 1968, then Edward Rajber until 1984. Szymon Szurmiej led from 1986 to 2003, Maria Giercuszkiewicz from 2003 to 2006, and Artur Hofman has been the chairman since 2006. The organization has faced challenges, including the political turmoil of 1968 when the Babel Club was accused by communist authorities of Zionist conspiracy and promoting chauvinism and nationalism. Despite these difficulties, TSKŻ continues to serve as a vital institution for the Jewish community in Poland, fostering cultural identity and preserving the legacy of Polish Jewry.

The Social and Cultural Association of Jews in Poland (TSKŻ) was founded on 29 October 1950, resulting from a merger between the Central Committee of Jews in Poland and the Jewish Cultural Society (Żydowskiego Towarzystwa Kultury). It was established as one of the associations of national minorities in Poland and was regarded as loyal to the communist party. The organization emerged from the difficult circumstances faced by the few Jews who survived the Holocaust and chose to remain in Poland. This generation, despite being alienated and wounded, sought to revive their community in Poland, treating it as their homeland while maintaining their Jewish identity and also wanting to be perceived as Poles. The TSKŻ helped Jews to accomplish this by providing a framework for cultural, social, and educational activities. In 1962, the organization founded the youth club "Babel" in Warsaw. However, in March 1968, this club was accused by the communist authorities of Zionist conspiracy, promoting chauvinism, and nationalism. This was part of the broader anti-Semitic campaign in Poland in 1968, which led to the emigration of many Jews. Despite these challenges, TSKŻ continued to operate. The organization is a member of the World Jewish Congress and the European Jewish Congress. It publishes a bilingual monthly magazine in Yiddish and Polish called Słowo Żydowskie (Dos Jidisze Wort). The administration of the organization is located in Wałbrzych, Poland. Over the decades, TSKŻ has been led by several chairpersons. The first was Grzegorz Smolar (Hirsch Smolar) from 1950 to 1962, followed by Leopold Trepper until 1968, then Edward Rajber until 1984. Szymon Szurmiej served from 1986 to 2003, Maria Giercuszkiewicz from 2003 to 2006, and Artur Hofman has been the chairman since 2006. The organization has continued its cultural and educational mission, implementing various projects to preserve the national traditions of the Jewish community in Poland and emphasize the role of Polish Jews in shaping Polish society, political thought, and culture. For over 75 years, TSKŻ has been active, with approximately 2,700 members, making it the largest Jewish organization in Poland. It operates through numerous branches and runs activities such as the Śródborowianka Centre, Days of Remembrance, and the Babel Club, and engages in commemorations and minority rights advocacy.

• 2006

  Artur Hofman becomes chairman.

• 1968

  Babel Club accused by communist authorities of Zionist conspiracy, chauvinism, and nationalism.

• 1962

  Youth club "Babel" founded in Warsaw.

• 1950

  TSKŻ founded on 29 October as a merger of the Central Committee of Jews in Poland and the Jewish Cultural Society.

Secular Jewish organization focused on cultural preservation, education, and community support for Jews in Poland.

• Słowo Żydowskie (Dos Jidisze Wort)

• Śródborowianka Centre

• Days of Remembrance

• Babel Club

1. 1TSKŻ official websitetskz.pl
2. 2About Us - TSKŻtskz.pl
3. 3Wikidata entry for Social and Cultural Association of Jews in Polandwikidata.org
4. 4German Wikipedia article on Sozial-Kulturelle Gesellschaft der Juden in Polende.wikipedia.org