Esther, thank you for writing this, honoring your parents and also local Polish activists trying to restore stories and experiences of Jewish citizens who once populated their towns. I hope you write another piece after visiting Poland! My advice: go with an open heart and mind. While your parent’s perceptions and experiences were horrific, (as were my mother’s and grandparents’ ), it’s an opportunity to learn about their lives before the war, interacting with younger Poles who are genuinely interested and who will capture their stories for future generations.
Esther, thank you for writing this, honoring your parents and also local Polish activists trying to restore stories and experiences of Jewish citizens who once populated their towns. I hope you write another piece after visiting Poland! My advice: go with an open heart and mind. While your parent’s perceptions and experiences were horrific, (as were my mother’s and grandparents’ ), it’s an opportunity to learn about their lives before the war, interacting with younger Poles who are genuinely interested and who will capture their stories for future generations.