The Transience of Memory? The History of the Jews of Sokołów Podlaski in Yizkor Books (PL)

01.07.2023 - 11:00 / JCC Cafe, 25 Józefa St.

The Sokołów Podlaski Memorial Book (Sefer ha-zikaron) was originally published i Tel Aviv in 1962. It included memoirs of several dozen authors, letters, excerpts from articles, and accounts written in Yiddish and Hebrew. The whole book is a 800-page history of the town which has not yet been known to Polish audiences. The authors described the rich life of a pre-wa community, which was dominated by religious conservatives who were not happy with teenagers who slowly turned towards Zionism. It is also a story of workers and scholars, intelligentsia and simple men, poor traders and great merchants. It is also a book about places: prayer houses, shtibls, synagogues, youth clubs, and political party offices, about holidays and festivals which were celebrated with great splendor, about ideals and social movements.

The Sokołów Podlaski Memorial Book was translated for three years to Polish thanks to the support of the Jewish Historical Institute Association and individual donors.

The author of the translation is Dr. Agata Reibach. Translation of excerpts in Hebrew: Regina Gromacka. Historic consultation: Prof. Jan Grabowski. Co-ordinator, editor and translator of the list of Sokołów Podlaski Holocaust victims: Katarzyna Markusz.

The Memorial Book is available online at sokolow.jewish.pl.

Meeting with Katarzyna Markusz led by Marek Tuszewicki

Space is limited: 40. First come, first served.