by tskzThe autumn season at the branches of the Social and Cultural Society of Jews in Poland was a time of encounters and joint celebrations. Many cities hosted events to mark Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year – and Sukkot – the Feast of Tabernacles. These events were an opportunity to spend time together, integrate and contemplate the abundance of Jewish tradition. Once again, celebrations at the Association’s branches showed that Jewish holidays are not only part of religious tradition, but also an essential time for community building and mutual understanding..
DZIERŻONIÓW
The members of our branch in Dzierżoniów gathered together on 20 September to celebrate the Jewish High Holidays. The table was laden with various festive dishes, including those symbolic of the Jewish New Year, namely apples with honey. The event was enhanced by a performance by Ryszard Chaład and Jakub Ajzenberg.
WAŁBRZYCH
The Rosh Hashanah event at TSKŻ Wałbrzych commenced with a short lecture delivered by Sabina Chrapek, Chair of the Branch, which was devoted to Jewish New Year traditions. The guests celebrated the beginning of the year 5786 with festive snacks and Jewish film music.
GLIWICE
The joint celebration of Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot took place on 28 September at our club in Gliwice. Urszula Makosz, a singer from Cracow, was in charge of the musical background of the event. In accordance with Jewish tradition, cakes and other sweets predominated over the festive table, among which apples, honey and pomegranates reigned supreme.
KATOWICE
On Friday, 10 October, the TSKŻ Katowice hosted celebrations of the Jewish High Holidays. The numerous guests were greeted with a welcome address by Paweł Grabiec, Chairman, who emphasised the significance and spiritual motto of Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot. The artistic part of the event was covered by Henryk Rajfer and Teresa Wrońska. During their concert, songs in Polish, Hebrew and Yiddish were performed. Apart from members and supporters of the TSKŻ, the event was also attended by our guests of honour, including Michał Kopański, Deputy Governor of Silesia, Magdalena Szewczuk-Szturc, Director of the Department of Civil Affairs and National Minorities, and Beata Dylus, President of the W jedności Foundation.
CZĘSTOCHOWA
On 10 October, at the TSKŻ’s club in Częstochowa, a reception was held to celebrate the Jewish New Year and the Feast of Tabernacles. After the introductory part, guests listened to a concert performed by the actor Henryk Rajfer and the pianist Teresa Wrońska. Moreover, the attendees were also treated to festive snacks, including traditional dishes symbolising abundance, hope and sweetness of the coming year.
WARSZAWA
On the occasion of Rosh Rosz Hashanah, the actors of the Jewish Theatre, Monika Chrząstowska, Henryk Rajfer and Marek Węglarski, appeared on stage at the Babel Club. The performers presented the greatest hits, sketches and songs known from Jewish cabaret. They were accompanied by musicians – the irreplaceable Teresa Wrońska, Marek Wroński and Dariusz Falana. The audience reacted enthusiastically, joining in the common music-making. Festive refreshments also awaited the event’s participants.
On the occasion of Sukkot, the Babel Club hosted an event devoted to Yankev Zonshayn. During the poetry and music event, Marcin Styczeń sang Zonshayn’s poems with the accompaniment of his original music. The repertoire also included the musical pieces by Marcin Styczeń with his original lyrics. The event was complemented by poems by Alicja Kuczyńska-Krata, thematically alluding to Zonshayn’s poetry.
WROCŁAW
On Sunday, 21 September, our members from Wrocław gathered together to celebrate the beginning of the New Year. The actors representing the Jewish Theatre i.e. Henryk Rajfer and Izabella Rzeszowska, appeared on our club stage and invited the audience on a musical journey through Jewish traditions. The evening ended with everyone singing together and chatting loudly at the table.
GDAŃSK
On 11 October, members of our branch in Gdańsk gathered together to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot. Chairman Jakub Szadaj warmly welcomed all the guests and invited them to a Jewish music concert performed by Marta Janiszewska and Izabela Sankowska. On the festive table, among savoury dishes and sweets, traditional apples and honey appeared to ensure that the coming New Year will definitely be a sweet one.
CRACOW
On the occasion of the Jewish New Year and the Feast of Tabernacles, our Cracow branch invited its members to the Literary Café, where a lecture was given by a hypnotherapist, Bartek Figlerowicz. Moreover, the New Year’s refreshments also awaited the guests.
The events were supported by a grant from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration.
