I MISS YOU, POLAND

[@beatakaas5015]

Please do not stop your KZbin channel. Your perspective is greatly appreciated and very needed. I am a Polish person born in Gdańsk living these days in Toronto. Your posts touched me deeply. Thank you so very much.

[@zejdland]

Same most poles like jews

[@Dreju78]

I see in you the same kind of attitude as was the impulse for the Polin museum; to celebrate Jewish Life here, not the Jewish Death here, and it warms my heart. And I also smile at all these questions; am I a Jew in Poland? Am I a Pole who happens to follow a Jewish religion or tradition? Am I both a Pole and a Jew equally? All these questions were asked, answers given and quarreled on, all these paths followed back when there was this Life here. I'm glad to see this Life come back. Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku Panie Michale! Panu i całej rodzinie!

[@Spark_Iskra_z_Polski]

Being a Polish man is totally different from being a religious man. Would you write the same to a Jew who practices Hinduism or is an atheist? One can be Polish and believe anything, but generally, traditionally and by majority, a Pole i a Christian, not necessarily a Catholic. Yet there are various belief systems among Polish people, and as long as these people assimilated the Polish spirit, values and heritage (literary, historic, language), they may feel at home. Catholics used to make such a different believers' life hard, but as long as no one is burming at stake, it can be paradise :) When I turned towards the God of the Bible from my atheism, my aunt's first question was: Are you ready to die at the stake? She, as a village woman, knew well what people can sometimes be up to. Human psychology can be manipulated so it is really wise to always make a balance sheet before you take life decisions, in every country in the world. From my perspective fraught with many unpleasant experiences I would not read the "I miss you Jew" as a positive message. Why? Because as above I always keep the biblical, historic and my experience-based perspectives in the back of my head whatever I encounter, so #1 There have been Jews in Poland all the time. Fewer but enjoying life in Poland, so who is this graffitti guy missing? #2 I have never met any Pole missing anyone, so this is some BS agenda. #3 There have been many diff graffitti on walls in history. Sometimes kids write their names or nicknames, hearts, but mostly graffitti is a "rebellious" or political reaction. In PRL times filled with censorship the writing on the wall was rather of double meaning, so again, is this really what it means? #3 Once I as an adult helped some primary school girls rescue the kittens some boys wanted to kill. Well, we found the boys, I explained to them that Gid says Do not kill, and took the cats. The next day there was writing on the pavement calling sb names referring to JWs, which I am not. But to these Cath boys anyone that referred to God seemed the only thing that could occur to a Catholic mind then. This was a trifle, but got on my Catholic family's nerve because my mom was also unkindly treated by her neighbours, which - let us admit it - is idiotic, for she was no part of the rescue operation. Kittens today, who knows what tomorrow. #4 One does not havevto do anything to face some kind of persecution. It is enough to try to live morally and having your own say and dignity. So one can suddenly start being ostracized not for his Jewishness but the system of values. #5 As long as Jews of thr world do not understand that Zionism acts against them and the rest of the world, there will always be some tension and some lack of understanding and trust. Many Jews do not even realize they are pawns in the game against the nation and that history is repeating itself not because there is antisemitism, but because Zionism is antisemitic. It has been proven that some antiJewish events esp in synagogues in Europe were staged by the ADL. Israeli youth is also taught antiPolish attitudes. It is enough to see Defamation, on utube, a bideo made by a Jew. It is enough to listen to Naturei Karta or Dr Finkelstein, a Polish Jew in the USA, to see zionism in ots truer colours. Moreover, it is instructive to follow some Bible verse daily for Jews, listen to rabbi, to interviews in Israel, etc.or read some Talmud, to understand that the person who started the "I miss you Jew" is either a propaganda tool with a message that has the opposite meaning or an ignorant that does not even realize there ARE and have alwsys been Jews in Poland so there is no need to miss anyone. #6 There are many minorities that are small in numbers and even kind of protected by Poland, but I have never seen any graffitti about them. Why.

[@tomaszsurdej8294]

@@Spark_Iskra_z_Polski Poles have historically tolerated Jews. Protestants were not. If you're Christian and you live in Poland, you should be in the Catholic Church. The Calvinists were given the choice in 1665, go abroad, Catholicism, or become Jews. Splintering the Catholic Church, the only Chrisitan is a sin against God's greatest commandmants - Love your God with the whole heart, mind, body and soul and love your neighbour as yourself. I'd also like to apologise to all of the Fundamentalist Protestants who scare Jews and terrorise them, claiming that they must be baptised immediately. God's ways are not the ways of men, Evangelicals usurp the authority of God and think that by violence they can further the Kingdom of God.

[@tomaszser470]

czy żydzi w Jerozolimie wybudują Muzeum Polskiej Kultury i Polaków - wydając na to ok 300 milionów ZŁ ? NIE? A więc stosunki są bardzo asymetryczne, czyli ktoś jest ....pasożytem.

[@RobertTicknor-mc8xy]

Second generation American Catholic Pole here. When I finally visited Poland we went to Jewish museums and synagogues. We also went to Auschwitz to honor all the all the victims and survivors (including a relative). Polish history is not complete without the history of the Polish Jews.

[@A909GA]

The war and communism left a huge gap in Poland, maybe we don't realize it on a daily basis, but we miss a lot. We have many similar traditions and dishes (I recently learned that my favorite childhood dessert, kogel-mogel, is of Jewish origin) and if only we had this knowledge, it should bring us closer together.

[@150jax]

Kogel mogel powinien nas zbliżyć? ...biorąc pod uwagę wrogą indoktrynację młodzieży w Izraelu wobec Polski to kogel mogel na prawdę wydaje się pomysłem ambitnym.

[@150jax]

@@monikam9069 Dziękuję za tą informację , dobrze mieć świadomość, że to zjawisko jest bardziej powszechne.

[@aleksandrakaczynska3083]

My third granny - my neigbour who hrlped my mom raise us, was Jewish, worked with Korczak, stayed in Poksnd after WWII and build the orphanage system from ruins. She was Polish and Poland was her home. You are Polish if you love Poland. Religion is not nationality.

[@wielebna444]

It's actually crazy when you realize that so many polish ppl are hostile towards the Jews and vice versa, when in fact we should be the ones who understand and support each other the most.

[@wladyslawbukowski]

Zaśpiewasz z innego klucza, gdy przyjdzie nam płacić U$ 300 miliardów Światowemu Kongresowi Żydów za bezspadkowe mienie.

[@rawimir]

Dla kogo pracujesz? @@wladyslawbukowski

[@solaris2015]

It is not that crazy. It is a way of "Divide and Rule" Stalin send them here to free my mother from Folwark of Jaśniepany after WW2. (manoral serfdom)

[@solaris2015]

Niekoniecznie, raczej od Niemiec kasę odbierzemy, bo akurat to na pozegnanie U?SA planuje zrobić z niemieckimi rezerwami bankowymi. @@wladyslawbukowski

[@marialada509]

Żydzi uważają że mimo wszystko zbyt mało Polaków zginęło rotując Żydów. Choć żeby nie heroizm Polaków żaden Żyd nie przeżyłby wojny . Wielu Polaków za ten heroiczny czyn zapłacili życiem własnym i całej rodziny. Natomiast żydowscy szmalcownicy , którzy współpracowali z Niemcami w unicestwianiu innych Żydów po wojnie w ich sądach byli uniewinniani . Wystarczyło że powiedzieli że działali w samo obronie. Zapłata dla narodu polskiego , jaka jest wszyscy wiemy . Jak szanowny pan prowadzący ten kanał nie wie to niech się dedukuję i wiecznie nie usprawiedliwia się tym czym za młodu nasiąkł, bo to nie zwalnia z niczego . Na każde słowa prawdy mają takie magiczne słowo „ antymityzm”. Kiedyś rozmawiałam z polską żydówką , która mi powiedziała że boi się że kiedyś to doprowadzi do powtórki z historii i znów zapłacą zwykli ludzie , a winowajcy spadną znów na cztery miękkie łapki .

[@witoldwitek6951]

Pozdrawiam, Jako Polak cieszę sie ze odkryłeś Polskę i swoje korzenie. Większość Polaków widzi ludzi jakimi są, nie jaką religie wyznają.

[@Spark_Iskra_z_Polski]

Większość nie, ale na szczescie niektorzy tak.

[@tomaszsurdej8294]

@@Spark_Iskra_z_Polski No, bo Polacy mają uważać za nietolerancję nie-pozwalanie protestantom i prawosławnym na szerzenie ich nienawiści. Co, nie lubicie porządek katolicki, to jaki problem pojechać 100 km na zachód/wschód i żyć między swoimi. Kościół bardziej poważa muzułmanów i żydów niż odszczepieńców. Tatarzy i żydzi nie sprzedali się obcym imperiom. Praktyki protestantów są karygodne. Mówienie, że rozwód jest dozwolony bo udziela go konsystorz jest obłudą. Mówicie, że kochacie Chrystusa, ale jak katolik chce odskoczyć na bok, to kircha i zbór udzieli rozwodu, i potem udzieli mu ślubu

[@dorotahedge7772]

tak

[@pawelzielinski1398]

@@Spark_Iskra_z_Polski Dlaczego na szczęscie?

[@veneficarius]

great video ! keep up what you do ! iam from Poland Krakow and its great you have came back to your/our homeland :) you know Israeli-Palestinian war doesnt mean you have to be 100% pro one side , we can be neutral its ok , also your voice is very important , because its your voice, jot political agenda from one side or another. Happy new year 🎉🎉

[@marialada509]

W Palestynie też tak miło się zaczynało , a skończyło wszyscy wiemy jak.

[@yagushka]

We love ❤️ you too xx

[@lerubenfeld]

❤️

[@dreamspheree]

Nicely said, I am an Israeli coming back to Poland as a Jew coming back. Although I am only here an year with my family. Really i could relate to this totally. I left Israel before the reformation attempt and war, as we really saw what's coming up. It was really crazy before and it just got hella crazy I feel sorry for all sides. Peace and love I hope for to the world 🌎🌍

[@lerubenfeld]

How are you finding it?

[@dreamspheree]

@@lerubenfeld to be honest other then the biedronka and my kid Jewish przeszkolą I don't mingle with the poles too much don't have reason as I work from home at the moment. But just walking around and experiencing Poland I feel a sense of nostalgia. My grandparents kept the food and manners in Israel and always complained about my parents not teaching us how to behave or basic manners. The old people here looks and behavior is exactly like my grandparents even the food. I grew up on this food and loved it as a kid. however it's hard not overlook antisemitism, as I see graffiti (rarely but do see) of antisemitic remarks... Also the soccer team łódź is frowned upon with the slur they play like Jews or something. Also in book stores Hitler face and books about Jews are always on display. You don't see that anywhere in the world. It makes me feel uncomfortable,but those are minor things and when I asks poles about it they admit the racism exist and apologize for it.

[@PacekBrudnyPlacek]

@@dreamspheree I don't deny there's antisemitism in Poland but note that those, whose language is the most aggresive, are the loudest. As a Pole I'm sure of that those people are the minority of the minority. Why? Konfederacja baaaareeely got any seats in the Parliament, like literally (while the Israeli government is openly antipolish). Negative feelings towards the Jews take their origin mainly from the fact that many prosecutors and communists during the People's Republic era were proven to be of Jewish origin, that's the main cause. There's another thing, don't confuse it with antisemitism - we feel underestimated and demonised by the state of Israel both from the historical and present perspectives. Propaganda like 'Polish Death Camps' or 'all Poles are antisemitic' don't help. On the other hand, due to all these issues, we have the picture of Israeli people as antipolish so in some cases it's the defence mechanism and in others just the feeling that Poland, after what our ancestors did, is treated like trash by Jews.

[@PacekBrudnyPlacek]

@@dreamspheree And about Łódź, imo it's like Glasgow Rangers and Celtic FC. One team is Protestant, another is Catholic and they clash each other about it. Football hooligans in Poland represent extreme right wing so I guess they'd prefer to be associated with Catholicism as this is the main religion in Poland. So that's why ŁKS calls Widzew Jews, using it as a slur, and vice versa. I mean, this is fucked up and the majority of society hates it, it's bad. I'm just explaining the phenomenon. And the books? I mean, yeah, it can be uncomfortable, putting it lightly, but that's the history - Hitler murdered milions of Jews (zionist ones and these who felt Polish) and Poles. And as I said in the previous comment, all the negative feelings derive from the People's Republic era and Jewish associations with the prosecution offices, the Polish United Workers' Party. The thing that I cannot accept is about Poland being treated like shit by your governments, one after one, and media. We don't do that in Poland when it comes to the mainstream media and our governments. We could work through this together, but Israel should give us the respect we deserve. We're humans, too, you know?

[@PacekBrudnyPlacek]

@@dreamspheree As humans, we are stupid, there always be someone who is anti-something/someone. The thing is that normal people should have a proper image of their relations that is the closest to the truth. For example, in my view, the Israeli government is like some bunch of Polish football hooligans and Konfederancja combined. A tiny detail is that the government of Israel rules the state. You must understand that we have the same victim feeling as you 'cause we got literally 'raped' during the WW2 and we also are romantic (talking about the Polish society), not pragmatic. When Israel turns on us just to get better economic deals from Germany and just calls the whole nation of Poland 'antisemitic' and says the death camps, where millions of Poles died, were Polish, it simply hurts us. The same feeling that is vivid in you, is also vivid in us - from generation to generation. Sorry for my loooooooooooooooong statement. I hope you find Poland your home someday. Best wishes!

[@ghua]

when you come to Poland you usually get what you bring to Poland with you. I appreciate your input even if sometimes I dont agree with it. we need to discuss those differences. dont get down, dont get offended, dont stop. as someone said here - there is long way before you to "understand" Polish nature. many Poles born in the country still struggle to understand it themselves. does such thing even exist? happy new year

[@Anna-tz3nl]

One idea for your food project, have you heard of Kulebiak? Its large pie with sauerkraut and other ingredients. I'm glad you feel at home.

[@Anna-tz3nl]

Or an interview with Leon Weintraub?

[@jacekkazimierczak8896]

As a Polish person, I have never heard from my ancestors a bad opinion about Jews. Never heard about my ancestors doing bad things to Jews. And I was born in a city inhabited by over 200k Jews. Nevertheless, each time I met Jew in my life, I felt guilty somehow. I never had Jewish friend. That’s why I think you Micheal are doing a brilliant job. Thank you for that and Happy New Year 😊

[@lukei6255]

Honestly, your Polish parents never told you what the Jews did to the Poles after WW2? Or when the soviets invaded the eastern parts of Poland in 1939???

[@jacekkazimierczak8896]

@@lukei6255No, believe me or not, I do not know any victim of Jews in my family.

[@juliadiusz]

Guilty??? Trąci jakimś zmanipulowanym poczuciem winy, ale obecna narracja temu sprzyja.

[@alicjaadamczyk1748]

Just be yourself, true to yourself. Stay where you are and do your great job. A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ! ✨

[@lerubenfeld]

Thank you and to you as well.

[@PiotrJaser]

"Tęsknię za Tobą, Żydzie" to projekt Rafała Betlejewskiego. U wielu Polaków wywołał pewne... uczucia... może sentyment, może nostalgię, szczególnie u ludzi wykształconych, którzy doskonale wiedzą jaki wkład w polską kulturę, literaturę, naukę wnieśli Polacy żydowskiego pochodzenia i którzy doskonale wiedzą, że społeczności żydowskie były integralną częścią polskiego krajobrazu przez długie wieki.

[@solaris2015]

jasne, jasne. Lem Nobla dostał. i Sienkiewicz. Tuwim pięknie pisał po polsku.

[@Spark_Iskra_z_Polski]

To sie Betlejewski nie popisal, bo KIEPSKO to brzmi.

[@tomaszser470]

jakoś w 1939 , po kilkuset latach pobytu na Polskiej Ziemi aż 85 % tej nacji nie znało lokalnego języka - Języka Polskiego! Ot ich "szacunek" do Polski i Polaków. Ja nie tęsknię za nimi - spoglądając na "dokonania" różnych grossów, "grabowskich", engelkingów, bermanów, Sielberbaumów czy blumsztajnów, "wolińskich" i szechterów. Niechta se siedzą daleko od nas. Niech wezmą tego tłuściocha z chabad lubawicz w tłustym kapeluszu oraz tego co nieprawnie zatrzymał wykopaliska w Jedwabnem. Weg, PRECZ z takimi typami.

[@solaris2015]

Też byś nie znał lokalnego jak byś po niemiecku, staro niemiecku mówił i by cię za płot nie wypuszczali jak w ogrodzonym osiedlu. Może Tusk pozwoli wykopaliska dokończyć, i na Ruskich zwalić?@@tomaszser470

[@PiotrJaser]

​@@tomaszser470 kto ci naopowiadał takich bzdur o tych 85%? Przeczytałeś to w poważnej monografii historycznej czy raczej usłyszałeś od przekupki na targowisku albo usłyszałeś w dzieciństwie u cioci na imieninach i uwierzyłeś? Słyszałeś coś w ogóle o okresie międzywojennym, o wprowadzeniu powszechnego obowiązku szkolnego? Dla ułatwienia zaaplikuję twojemu mózgowi cytat: "W II Rzeczpospolitej byliśmy świadkami narodzin prawdziwego fenomenu społecznego. Po raz pierwszy w polskiej historii dominująca większość młodego pokolenia Żydów mówiła po polsku, a polscy i żydowscy rówieśnicy nigdy jeszcze nie byli kulturowo tak sobie bliscy". W zaborze austriackim w 1867 roku powstała Rada Szkolna Krajowa, która wprowadziła obowiązek szkolny. Nauczanie języka polskiego odbywało się na terenach Małopolski i austriackiej części Śląska, a języka rusińskiego (ukraińskiego) na terenach Galicji Wschodniej. W okresie międzywojennym znaczna większość Żydów mieszkała w takich miastach jak Łódź, Kraków, Warszawa, Wilno, Lwów, Białystok. Lublin. Wszyscy znali język polski. Dla 79% z nich językiem domu był jidisz, ale polski mieli w szkole, na ulicy, na podwórku, w pracy, wszędzie. Nigdy nie wierz w to, co ci wmawiają u cioci na imieninach. Ja tęsknię za tymi wszystkimi Lemami, Herling-Grudzińskimi, Tuwimami, Brzechwami, Koprowskimi, Hirszfeldami, Wasowskimi, Grynbergami, Geremkami, Kopalińskimi, Szpilmanami, Wieniawskimi, Skrzyneckimi, Kirchensteinami, Tyrmandami, Ungerami, Jeziorańskimi, Koftami, Fordami, Hoffmanami, Schulzami, Kiepurami, Słonimskimi, Stryjkowskimi, Hemarami, Leśmianami, Wierzyńskimi, Korczakami, Rubinsteinami, Kisielewskimi, Kaczmarskimi, Fiedlerami, Jantarami, Anielewiczami, Edelmanami, Askenazymi, Joselewiczami, Krallami, Ligockimi, Lecami, Waszyńskimi, Zamenhofami, Zimermanami, Starskimi, Szlajferami, Warsami, Bardinimi, Sternami, Włastami, Jurandotami, Aronsonami, Grodzieńskimi, Głowińskimi, Henami, Jastrunami, Pomianowskimi, Daskami, Ulamami, Reichsteinami, Hurwiczami, Rotblatami, Schallymi, Morgensternami, Baczyńskimi, Handelsmanami, Tarskimi, Sigalinami, Kowalewskimi, Vogelfangerami, Brandysami, Sternfeldami, Weissami, Łozińskimi i wieloma wieloma innymi. Każdy zacny, przyzwoity, mądry, normalny Polak za nimi tęskni. Marek Hłasko mądrze określił w "Pięknych dwudziestoletnich", jaki los powinien spotkać polskiego antysemitę.

[@jacek0720]

Hi Michael, Your YT channel is very interesting, especially your views on our history and current events. I hope you will find strength and joy to keep it going. Happy New Year!

[@lerubenfeld]

Thank you 😊

[@Osoba333]

Wole jak mowisz po polsku, Michael. Szczesliwego Nowego Roku!

[@DzejWiJV]

I think there is a long way ahead of you, Michael to really understand Polish nature. There is more than you can imagine.

[@Malcriada115]

Is there even such a thing? I seriously doubt it, given the huge disconnect I feel with many of my compatriots.

[@DzejWiJV]

@@Malcriada115 that's also part of polish nature

[@Malcriada115]

@@DzejWiJV Polish. With a capital P.

[@DzejWiJV]

@@Malcriada115 🤦

[@KiciaKocia6]

Wyobraź sobie, że Polacy mają różne poglądy, doświadczenia i każdy z nich może inaczej rozumieć polskość...

[@fijau]

Thanks. All the best to you and all Jewish people in the new year as well. Let's hope the hardships bring us closer.

[@aleksanderczechowski5157]

Happy New Year Michael! You are doing great work although moments of realisation are not easy. We are all struggling with the phantom pains and generations of PTSD…it’s not easy to get through it.

[@TheWugiezet]

popłakałem się ze wzruszenia:) wszystkiego najlepszego!

[@kmaj9767]

Poland is as much your home as you want to make it. There is no question you belong. Happy New Year!

[@tomaszser470]

he have a place in Gaza or Hajfa, go away from Poland.

[@uceee1]

Exactly! as amuch as somone want to make it.

[@katarzynaginda1817]

@@tomaszser470 it is only your opinion, not very smart and rather isolated I suppose

[@iHealeress]

Michael, you are citizen of the world...

[@robertkaczmarek4948]

Drogi Michale, ja też zaglądam na twój kanał od kilku tygodni. A mimo to mam jasny i wyraźny pogląd na to co robi Netanjahu i armia Izraela. A nie jest on miły. I na pewno nie jeden Izraelczyk nazwałby mnie antysemitą z tego powodu.

[@martadmowski208]

You make me cry.

[@AI22666]

A very interesting perspective.

[@aniaania5274]

Many interesting trips in the future

[@mayaniebieska8425]

The artist and performer is Rafał Betlejewski together with activist Dawid Gurfinkiel

[@trojnara]

I miss the diversity that Poland had before WW2. Poland is slowly getting more diverse again in the XXI century, and I enjoy it a lot. Yes, we need you!

[@baryka2015]

Diversity was the end of Polish state.

[@kiaaurora]

Multiculturalism doesn’t work. It doesn’t work in Western Europe at all and in Poland it ended up in pogroms and severe racism toward the Jewish minority even before Holocaust.

[@eqramer]

if you read memoirs of people living before WW2 you would know there was not much too miss - people of different nations living on the same land usually hated each other. German minority was supporting Hitler in its invasion on Poland, Ukrainians arranged terrorist attacks etc.

[@juliadiusz]

It has literally destroyed us

[@Malcriada115]

@@baryka2015 Some say it was stupidity, not diversity.

[@NoctiVagusHD]

Michał, a tak z luźniejszych tematów to sam tą półkę na książki tak designersko zainstalowałeś? ;) Najlepszego w Nowy Roku!

[@lerubenfeld]

Yes. I had it build there.

[@KH-he5fp]

Your videos are very much appreciated Michael. You are definitely right saying that Jewis have been an integral part of what it is to be Polish. My grandmother used to say ' Jewis were Polish like us just with different religion' . I think Hitler knew that, this is why Polland was the only occupied country where helping or hiding Jews was punished by death to you and your whole family.

[@krzysztofsobolewski3749]

Thank you Micheal and happy new year too you

[@rufsven8312]

You conveyed wonderful and wise thoughts. It was a truly moving speech. Greetings from Krakow!

[@solaris2015]

We like and need your channel and your "Alte Haim" masterpiece :)

[@wiktor.]

It has always been interesting how many similarities are with the victims of the European oppression that occurred not long back and how much identity means. The idea of acceptance of faces and cultures allowed ethnicities like the Poles and Jews to unite; however, only the exposure of particular histories is holding us back.

[@ilonaw.8352]

Thank you for your channel and effort to express your deepest thoughts and to name your feelings. It has opened me for Jewish people and culture. Happy New Year for You and your Family!

[@renemagritte8237]

Happy New Year Michael, please stay in Poland, we need you here. Someone has to show to the world that we can live together and understand and respect each other.

[@karolinakatanowska5960]

❤️❤️❤️

[@chanpasadopolska]

I miss you, Palestinian

[@wojciechsieczko525]

All the best for you and your family. My opinion as long as we identify ourselves as Poles, Jews and so on, we will never brake the borders between us. Of course have own traditions, religions, language is beautiful but we should brake the borders between all humanity

[@evegannon5111]

What is about being Jew in Poland. Before the war 1/3 of Poland was of different origins and Jews were trying to have autonomy in Poland around the city of Bialystok but this has never happened

[@jacekjastrzebski8668]

Beautiful video. Happy New Year to You and to all of You.

[@lerubenfeld]

Wzajemnie

[@wojciechszuminski8768]

You are doing very well I wish you all the blessings.

[@mrkliku]

Rzeczywiście Żydzi przez kilka wieków żyli na terenie Polski i tu prowadzili swoje biznesy. Teraz mają swój kraj o który się troszczą i go rozwijają. Czasami można sobie jeszcze powspominać o wspólnej historii

[@margrab1]

"mają swój kraj" czy wiesz jak powstało państwo izraela po drugiej wojnie światowej ?

[@mrkliku]

@@margrab1 tak wiem. Wiem także jak działa polityka żydowska i ich PR na arenie międzynarodowej, odnośnie odzyskania przedwojennych majątków w Polsce, holocastu itd. Wiem także jak wyglądała ekshumacja zwłok w Jedwabnem. Są dostępne w sieci wywiady z naukowcami ktorzy się tym zajmowali i do jakich wnioskow doszli. Stad zresztą postulat niektórych środowisk aby wrócic do tego tematu. Nie mam pojęcia jakie są intencje autora tego filmiku. Czy jest po prostu zauroczonym naszym krajem Żydem, z natury naiwnym i dobrodusznym, szukającym swojej tożsamości; czy też jest to jakaś wyrachowana gra ich lobby aby zmiękczać opinię publiczną. Tak czy owak wolałbym sprowadzać nasze wzajemne relacje tylko do przyjaznych gestów, uśmiechów, opowiadania sobie o przeszłości i nic więcej. Niech pozostanie tak jak jest. Jeśli tego nie zauważyłeś w mojej poprzedniej wypowiedzi, to musisz się jeszcze wiele nauczyć o dyplomacji.

[@mrkliku]

tak wiem. Wiem także jak działa polityka żydowska i ich PR na arenie międzynarodowej, odnośnie odzyskania przedwojennych majątków w Polsce, holocastu itd. Wiem także jak wyglądała ekshumacja zwłok w Jedwabnem. Są dostępne w sieci wywiady z naukowcami ktorzy się tym zajmowali i do jakich wnioskow doszli. Stad zresztą postulat niektórych środowisk aby wrócic do tego tematu. Nie mam pojęcia jakie są intencje autora tego filmiku. Czy jest po prostu zauroczonym naszym krajem Żydem, z natury naiwnym i dobrodusznym, szukającym swojej tożsamości; czy też jest to jakaś wyrachowana gra ich lobby aby zmiękczać opinię publiczną. Tak czy owak wolałbym sprowadzać nasze wzajemne relacje tylko do przyjaznych gestów, uśmiechów, opowiadania sobie o przeszłości i nic więcej. Niech pozostanie tak jak jest. Jeśli tego nie zauważyłeś w mojej poprzedniej wypowiedzi, to musisz się jeszcze wiele nauczyć o dyplomacji.

[@dupajasio4801]

I do hope you received your Polish Passport in Canada before you came. Obviously you qualify. You made me think what it means to be Polish in present times. Wonderfully challenging.

[@lerubenfeld]

I received it yes.

[@Severinos1]

Happy New Year 🥳

[@katrin.iceland.universe]

Happy New year 🎉🇮🇱🇵🇱

[@kazsawczak6910]

I like you, Mike very much. I'm a Canadian too. You, however. seem to be ignorant of what We the Poles call judo-komuna. Learn about it and you will understand more.

[@lerubenfeld]

I know enough about it and I know many Poles like to blame Jews for this. And while yes there were an abnormal number of Jews working in high positions during Stalin’s time, the percentage of Poland’s Jews involved was very small. But somehow Polish people like to place all blame on all Jews as justification for antisemitism. There were as many non-Jewish people in the secret police, but somehow Poles only choose to blame all Jews. It’s quite problematic.

[@fiaskolo]

@@lerubenfeld It's a far bigger issue than Poland and Poles, since there are people around the world, who blame Jews for Bolshevism and communism in general.

[@ewascheer7951]

I really like you and what you are doing , however I am sure being a Jew is not as difficult as being Palestinians right now... It is not being a Jew but supporting Israel regime that problematic , well more than problematic , warm wishes for new year

[@lerubenfeld]

Being a Jew is not as difficult as being a lot of different people, like Ukrainians as well -- but it doesn't mean the complications of being a Jew are not valid.

[@henryksienkaniec9617]

Michael, I'm curious about why you consistently emphasize your Jewish identity. Do you prioritize your Canadian nationality over your Jewish religion? Additionally, I've noticed you identify as male, possibly homosexual, and a vegetarian. However, these aspects don't inherently make you smarter or more special. Some might argue that being Jewish comes with disadvantages due to existing prejudices. Could you shed light on the advantages and disadvantages you perceive in identifying as Jewish?

[@DogDogGodFog]

'Jewish' is also an ethnicity. Also, about the homosexuality accusation - he has a wife and a kid.

[@lukei6255]

​@@DogDogGodFogmany gays have.

[@DogDogGodFog]

@@lukei6255 He's Canadian. If he was gay, he wouldn't have to be closeted.

[@lesfleurs9781]

@@lukei6255past tense

[@lerubenfeld]

I don't perceive advantages nor disadvantages. I emphasize my Jewish identity here, because my intention with the KZbin page is to discuss Polish Jewish relations in a hope of helping build more bridges. It is important for me to highlight my Jewishness in this context, because there are a lot of certain ideas that I believe Polish people have about Jewish perspectives that I believe are helpful to understand are not necessarily true. Simultaneously, I am interested in supporting Jewish people with Polish roots re-contemplate the relationship to Poland -- and thus hearing a Jew's perspective is important in this context. Nobody, in this context, really cares if I am a Canadian or whether or not I am gay in regards to these topics. So understand that I am consciously framing my Jewish for the social media space for these specific purposes.

[@dorotahedge7772]

Welcome❤ Serdecznie Pozdrawiam

[@BarbaraSzydo-ei3nv]

You are good person Michael. God bless you Happy New Year!!❤❤❤

[@krzysztofkrzyzanowski1443]

You are always welcome and have our support :) it is KZbin, your perspective is appreciated and it is a platform that supports plenty of kinds of content. There are sometimes people who have issues with themselves and feelings of grudge stemming from fear, lack of understanding, and sometimes ill will/in bad faith. Don't let them drive you down, your content in my perspective has been very colorful and of substance. I personally think strength in unity, and coexistence no need for any kind of division on a negative premise. Jews throughout history have been an integral part of Polish culture, making a culture rich by adding more far better than stripping culture of any element is making it that much poorer, to embrace and not divide is the question. Great video and very heartfelt, thank oy for this material.

[@qwertzxcvb7724]

Michał nie przejmuj się nie mądrymi ludźmi ;) szczęśliwego nowego roku :)

[@henryksienkaniec9617]

Czy Mondrzy ludzie to są tylko ,którzy mają podobne opinie do Twoich wypowiedzi?

[@krzycho751]

​@@henryksienkaniec9617"mondrość" przez ciebie przemawia. Szkoda, że nie polszczyzna.

[@henryksienkaniec9617]

@@krzycho751 oh bardzo przepraszam, będę musiał odwołać się do encyklopedii

[@qwertzxcvb7724]

widzisz tą ścianę ? weź rozpęd i wiesz ;0 @@henryksienkaniec9617

[@solaris2015]

Happy New Year 2024! Dosiego roku 2024!

[@lerubenfeld]

Wzajemnie

[@solaris2015]

​ מיוטשואַלי miutshuali@@lerubenfeld

[@jacksonblaze423]

Perhaps "need" is somewhat too strong a word but in general you are right. I sometimes think that maybe 30% of us Poles have some sort of Jewish roots without knowing about it. Hitler called Poles a mongrel race and Germans killed Poles with relish. I think that there is tremendous emotional similarity as well. Poland also stopped existing for a long time, although nowhere nearly as long as Israel, so both Poles and Jews recognize the importance of having a home. While that is not the case in Canada, patriotism is an important virtue in both Poland and Israel because of the condition of being surrounded by enemies. I am pointing out similarities that cannot be overlooked. However please melt into Polish society to the degree you feel comfortable. One of the problems in the past that while a number of Jews integrated and became famous (as well as in the US and elsewhere - e.g. Julian Tuwim, Janusz Korczak) large number of Polish Jews apparently lived in separate parallel societies and that hopefully will not be repeated. That actually seems to be your goal. When I was a kid and emigrated to the US I picked up on something I called a leap, which was essentially to cut through a sense of being a foreigner by instantly recognizing that the other person was just another human. I was leaping over the barrier of self-conscious thought on both sides, and took complete responsibility for cutting through the strangeness of the situation to the degree I could. Unless the other person was a total jackass the leap has served me well.

[@ionsmasker8397]

You should be a politician, seriously man...

[@lerubenfeld]

I can't tell whether or not that is a compliment :)

[@aprendeingles2day]

✨Wow!!! I've just discovered your channel: It's great✨

[@lerubenfeld]

Thank you and glad you found it :)

[@skavihekkora5039]

Poles need Jews that prioritise truth, freedom and justice above all else, especially over aggressive biased exploitive tribalism and constant emotional blackmail. We need our own Jews that will love and defend Poland against others. Not many of those available I'm afraid.

[@andrzejpienczykowski9086]

If there are people who are unhappy with your perspective then it means they hear your message and what is more important it is relevant.

[@AdamKrukowski]

In the new year I feel that your yt chanell will grow huge, you are great person! I wish you the best!

[@rebeccar4312]

Michael, thank you for your videos-I relate. I spend 89 days in Poland and never want to leave, but even though my parents are from Poland, I have to leave since I have no documents to prove my ancestry. Poland feels like home to me, to my soul. I saw you in the outdoor market years ago, as a money Jew. So, my question to you, is how, as a Canadian citizen were you able to move, stay, and live in Poland beyond 90 days?

[@lerubenfeld]

Hi. Well actually I was able to reclaim my Polish citizenship through my grandfather’s side. Fortunately after the war he lived in Poland for some time before leaving, and I was able to show his proof of address and also that he never gave up his Polish citizenship. Alternatively, I would have been able to get my residency through my wife but I did not need to go that route. When did your parents leave? Do they not have documents from their time living in Poland? Have you done much research into it?

[@rebeccar4312]

Thank you for your response Michael. My parents were both in Auschwitz-they met in a DP camp after the war. They are no longer alive and their documents were destroyed. I imagine there might be some esoteric information in Lodz. How long did it take for you to acquire citizenship and was it costly? I imagine it may be more so, now...

[@Malcriada115]

@@rebeccar4312 Hello, have you contacted the Auschwitz Museum? There might be a trace there.

[@lesfleurs9781]

Contact the Polish embassy or Polish consulate where you live. They can help you with this.

[@lerubenfeld]

@@rebeccar4312 And what about before Auschwitz? Did you check in the IPN or go to the Jewish Cultural Institute? (I assume you are Jewish? Maybe not.) It took me about a year, and not, it was not costly mostly because my wife helped me with the process, so I didn't need to hire a lawyer. If you don't speak Polish, it's impossible, but I have a very resourceful wife. It was mostly just a process of obtaining the needed documentation to prove my Polish heritage.

[@twisters999]

I'm happy you found your heritage :) Welcome home Michael!

[@atiregramakswoktiw1739]

Love you.😊😊😊

[@andrzejnowak7]

Dear Michael, I wish you all the best in the new 2024 year ahead. May the difficult issues leave us at least for a few hours before they return, since it can't be otherwise.

[@benz500r]

Dude, you did everything well and people there may like you, but geographically Poland is not the safest place. I'm glad you consider reality of Poland. Just because we like certain country doesn' mean that country likes us.

[@athag1]

Such a moving message. Much appreciated.

[@johnsay4434]

We don’t miss you Michael ,stay home.

[@DanielJanka-r9l]

Love your vids. Please do not get discouraged. Have a lovely 2024.

[@katarzynaginda1817]

thank you for your channel, for your opinions, great sense of humour - and kindness

[@lerubenfeld]

Thank YOU for those kind words.

[@mysticalmoon7527]

Stay ❤❤

[@solaris2015]

Please do not go to Israel, stay in Poland we need you :) And other Jews need you.

[@lerubenfeld]

I will definitely not be going to Israel, even if I chose to leave Poland.

[@solaris2015]

Perfect choice! Why would you live Poland? BTW is there any info in Scriptures regarding place of birth or passport of the long awaited King?@@lerubenfeld

[@njswampfox474]

God bless you, Michael.

[@peterl7175]

Happy New Year Michael and keep up the good work!

[@lerubenfeld]

Thank you and to you too :)

[@iwonalewanczyk3103]

Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku! Pozdrowienia z Gdańska!

[@agnieszkakowalska7564]

Hi, Michael, continue your channel! Nice to see you😅 ❤ Long time ago I've realised that Polish people have kind of "phantom pains" about Jews. These can be both good or bad fantasies, still present in common subconscient imagination. Jews became an enigmatic mystery imagined from scraps of memories, formed in several contradictory stereotypes. Nowadays Jewish communities in Poland are too small to ensure that every Polish person may meet any real Jewish person, so you are doing a good job showing one of plenty variants of Jewishness ;-)

[@ksubzda]

Michael, keep going with your videos, please! Your perspective is very interesting, insightful, and much needed. What I personally find specifically interesting, is the topic that you touch on in some way or another in almost every video, but directly and more thoroughly in one of the previous videos, where you mentioned being somehow deeply connected to the Yiddish, but not to the Hebrew language, despite the fact of not knowing any of them (if I may put it this way). It also seems to be related to your general interest in European/American (especially Polish) Jewish heritage, leaving interest in the State of Israel as such somehow aside (as far as it is possible in the context of ongoing war). That made me realize that there are, in some way, two very distinct Jewish identities, which I think are or could be referred to as Yerida Jews and Aliyah Jews: Jews that find their primary identity in the culture created by medieval and modern Jewish diaspora, and Jews that find it directly in the (ancient and/or contemporary) Holy Land. They are both, of course, deeply rooted in a common ancient heritage, therefore being inextricably linked even today, given also the fact that this division is a matter of relatively recent, contemporary, post-shoah period of Jewish history. However, this cultural separation seems to be irrefutable and advancing. I hope you will continue to explore this topic in the future even further. I'm not Jewish myself, but as a Pole living in Wrocław, being a descendant of people deported after WWII from so-called Kresy (Eastern Borderlands) to formerly but very recently German land, I find such "identity displacements" somehow resonating.

[@mireksperka24]

👍😁

[@mipyrchla7096]

Happy new year Michał!

[@boklos5359]

Wish you happiness in my country ❤ Best wishes fro NewYork

[@mariuszkoch2307]

Niech Pan Bog ciebie poblogoslawi!

[@George-kr1de]

Poland is difficult country to live in, thats even not being a Jew I emigrated from over 40 years ago to Australia. I wish you all the best.

[@nanasabia]

Well it changed a lot since then 😂😅many people who live in Poland actually really enjoy it and would never leave or even come back from England, Ireland, Germany etc

[@kiaaurora]

Then Maybe You’ve missed the fact that Poland now and 40 years ago are 2 very different countries

[@George-kr1de]

@@kiaaurora maybe yes and no. Antysemitic comments are still present there though as not so often. I am from 1968 wra and remember that time, Conflicted wiyh many of my own about not tolerating "lack of tolerance". Also precent in abundance in so called Polonia.

[@lesfleurs9781]

Anti everything exists everywhere in the world!!!!!!

[@lerubenfeld]

It would have been much more difficult 40 years ago :)

[@edassara]

Poland grows on people, regardless of their ethnicity..

[@bobeczek01]

Well I believe that noone should deny the past and people should be pround of their roots and if your roots are in Poland then you are from Poland - motherland the place where both Poles and Jews bled, the land is rich with their DNA. The other thing people should consider whether Jews and Poles were or are separate now is this : look at Sephardic Jews and look at Ashkenazi Jews. There is the religious differences for sure and use of Yiddish as predominant language but also the fact that Jews across Europe spoke Yiddish means how they wanted to asimilate as it is a mix of biblical Hebrew and spoken German and Polish languages. Also Sephardic Jews were born in different climate and have different cuisine (and I'm not saying that one is better than the other). Now Isreal is something else. It is a cultural melting pot because it gathers people of different backgrounds and for the Ashkenazi population it is mostly from Russia so the cookig and climate are similarly aproached to Ukrainaian and Polish Jews unfortunately there is a strong anti - Polish sentiment. Also with all honesty I can tell you that if you would ever think of who Poles hate the most (all jokes aside) It will be Germans and Russians, not Jews. And even Germans are a little brushed off as the Nazis (we hate those) - Russians are hated the most because they never admitted what they did and they never said sorry and kept exploiting the Polish lands and people for centuries. We acknowledge the tragedy of Holocaust , but there are stories where German soldiers took over peoples homes and still acted somewhat kindly to Poles living there, where there are no good stories about Russian soldiers, who unfortunately raped , killed and burned whole villages with no remorse. Now about Palestine....it all depends if we believe in common fault ....but I believe that once all Muslims were called terrorist the sentiment was not to be responsible for crimes of brothers in faith so can a Polish - Canadian Jew be blamed for Palestine now? Somthing to think about.

[@adiosa1388]

being pole is not a religion its your heart and mind some jewish people just dont get it btw no pole goes im pole but catholic or im pole but muslim tatar this only exists when it comes to jewish persons

[@jusienka1]

You said this is a very beautiful way

[@LonginusPodbipieta]

Kwik

[@jacekkoldra6485]

Michael warm gretings from Warsaw ❤

[@Jasmine_breeze]

It may sound stupid, but I will comment with an example. To people who expect Michael to influence international politics. In Poland we had a refugee crisis. Some of these people died. It's magine that when you go on holiday to Egypt, you will be verbally attacked everywhere and by all the people, at the airport, in a cafe, on the beach... They will expect you to solve the problem, to take care of the refugees, etc. I wonder what such a person would say then ? That it is not within his capabilities? So why does he think that every Jew can portray the actions of states as pawns? And what does this particular man have to do with the Palestinian cause?

[@dupajasio4801]

They do that in Egypt?

[@Jasmine_breeze]

@@dupajasio4801 of course not. No one attacks Poles because of the foreign policy of the Polish government. People understand that you can be from a certain country and not agree with everything the government does. Unless you are Jewish, then they don't understand. Some people seem to think that you are the one dropping bombs. Meanwhile, Jews, just like Poles, have different opinions and little real influence on the already elected government.

[@Isabel-nj2fp]

Don't Go anywhere I just found you..🤪

[@Kinggg679]

I like your point of view, and such, but for God’s sake; comb your hair,(I wish, I have so plentiful hair on my stupid scalp) … and eventually start speak Polish. After 8 years, or so, it’s about a time. Isn’t it?

[@solaris2015]

With you Polish Passport you can be Polish President :)

[@lerubenfeld]

Will you vote for me?

[@mkoualsky]

​@@lerubenfeldor at least Sejm Marshall (╭☞σ ͜ʖσ)╭☞ u have my vote, I already told you Hołownia is not my story :)

[@solaris2015]

yes, and many friends` of mine@@lerubenfeld

[@kiaaurora]

What a sick thing to say

[@solaris2015]

what exactly is "sick" in your opinion?@@kiaaurora

[@LS-Moto]

1:13 I'm so sorry and ashamed that you (and other Jews) are asked to take responsibility for Isreals political actions. I don't agree with everything Israel does either. But Israel vs Palestine, is NOT Jews vs muslims. Besides, the conflict is Israel vs Hamas, and Isreal has a right to defend itself after they were attacked, kidnapped, mistreated and murdered. To say its the jews vs Palestine, would be the equivalent of saying christians started WW2 with all of its atrocities. Hope things will calm down next year, which is only a couple of hours away and I wish you a happy entrance into 2024.

[@81TKing]

Isn't it truth that the main factor of coming to poland was Your wife?

[@lerubenfeld]

I would not have come if not for her however the decision to move here rather than she to Canada was because of the things I speak about.

[@TheAlphadent]

New year sameah

[@mateusz.w.nawrocki]

That's so nice of You, man. Probably the kindest words I saw on YT in 2023. Yeah, reportedly there was an old French saying, 'You know your coach drives through Poland because there are Jews everywhere'. Sadly, no longer true. Still, we're proud that it's our Jews that got to re-establish Israel after 2'000 years. Some of them openly point to the 1918 Polish independence as the inspiration. The founders of the Likud party even actually got to Israel as soldiers of the Polish army in the 1940s.

[@uceee1]

Be Polish. Whichever god u believe in, we don tcare!

[@mcouzijn]

Hi namesake Michael. I say nothing new when I claim that the history of Jews in Poland is long, rich, and troublesome. It was 'long and rich' because Poland was *relatively* hospitable to Jews from other European countries, and allowed them to live in either an orthodox way, or an assimilated way, or anything in between. So that in many centuries, Jews in Poland could develop a cultural history of their own and was the heart of European Jewry in the first decades of the 20th century. It was at times 'troublesome' because minorities usually must deal with xenophobia, and Jews with anti-semitism - promoted by whatever ideology, or plain stupidity. This holds for probably all countries on Planet Earth and all kinds of minorities. And yes, this includes western democracies. Sometimes the relationship got 'troublesome' because occupying powers, like Big Bear Germany, who was at the hands of Big Bear Russia (or vice versa) needed a scapegoat and to win some war. Let's remind ourselves that it was *not* because of 'anti-semitic Poles' that Poland got 'rid' of its 3 million Jewish inhabitants (and 3 million non-Jewish Poles in the process). 33 years ago I married a Polish woman from Kraków, whom I had met in Amsterdam. She's still my lovely wife, we still live here in the heart of our Dutch capital, and of course over the years I, and our children have developed some 'bond' with Poland and its people - and got 'married' to the Polish-Jewish issues, history and sensibilities as well. Being neither Jewish nor Polish, and at the outset not knowing much about these topics, I was initially surprised to find this much animosity in people's hearts - including the intelligent, well-educated and well-meaning. Both among our Jewish friends and colleagues here in The Netherlands and among our Polish relatives and friends. It is a hard topic. I personally do not know a Pole who supports anti-semitism. But I have run into several people, both Jewish and non-Jewish, both from The Netherlands and from the USA, who have reminded my wife of being part of 'the most anti-semitic people on the Planet', and if she dared deny that, she was 'a hidden anti-semite herself'. There were people talking to my wife like that while at our dinner table. When my Dutch friends and colleagues learned that my wife is Polish, it usually does not take long for them to ask me about 'Polish anti-semitism'. It is in itself a good thing that Poles are offended when they are called 'anti-semites'. It means they *reject* anti-semitism, and find it to be among the worst of insults. You would think that this puts them in the same 'camp' as Jews who hate anti-semitism along with them. Yet it seems their 'insulted' stance is not really appreciated, or welcomed. It seems that those who bluntly accuse Poles of being anti-semites, enjoy hurting Poles where it hurts the most - as if it is some kind of 'reckoning'. Like an old couple who got a divorce, and one of them still needs to press the other's painful spots. And you, Michael, are that old couple's child, and you hate to be put in the middle of their fights. Because you are prepared, if not doomed, to love both parents. And you hate it when one of the parents tries to 'alienate' you from the other. When it comes to people spiting you for your positive stance toward Poland, or other loud-voiced people blaming you for what happens in Israel right now, I suggest you take this with a grain, no a pack of salt. I have learned to think of what a Polish-Jewish resistance activist, Adolf Berman, wrote after the war: "In the historiography of Jews in Poland, an accent is usually put on the sufferings of Jews by the doings of Polish blackmailers and traitors, the 'Blue Police', the fascist gangs and other scum of the society. Much less is written about the thousands of Poles who risked their lives to help the Jews. Scum and dirt on the surface of a seething river are more easily perceived than the clear undertow under the surface". I like that metaphor. We usually only hear the loudest voices, of the accusers, of the haters. But that should not make us forget that there are *many more* softer voices, on all sides. Voices of reason. And they are willing to listen to you too. And to your KZbin channel. To your experiences. To your attempts to make something positive and productive out of a joint history and a joined future of Polish-Jewish relationships. I have been discussing this topic twenty-five years ago, with some intensity. Sometimes I lost hope. But then I picked it up. I think it's worth it. All the best, and a Happy New Year to you too! Michel

[@saintbart7408]

Greetings from Gdansk ✨

[@peterkrawczyk5953]

light is too strong. you reflect it too much. do oyou have to use so much light becosue of light background?