Polish Jewish in Poland


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Jews have lived in Poland for over 1,000 years. Throughout most of that time, Poland has been a center for Jewish culture. During the last few centuries, Eastern Europe had the largest Jewish population in the world. National attitudes toward the Jews were ambivalent, depending on the usefulness of the Jewish inhabitants to the nation's rulers. Anti-Semitism was prevalent and frequently led to either persecution or expulsion.


Poland was once the home of the largest concentration of Ashkenazi Jews in the world. The word Ashkenaz is derived from a biblical word for the larger Germanic region of Europe. Therefore, Ashkenazi Jews are those whose ancestry they link to that area. This group traditionally speaks the Yiddish language, which is a German dialect that has Hebrew and Slavic elements.


During World War II, when Germany occupied Poland, the Nazis had six concentration camps for Jews in that country. The Nazis oppressed Jews in Poland. Even after WWII, they often denied those who survived access to the homes they were forced to leave. The new communist government offered no relief.


What Are Their Lives Like?

After generations of persecution, Jews in Poland are now thriving. Though there continues to be anti-Semitism in Europe, synagogues are now functioning, and kosher (traditional, acceptable) food is once again available.


There are efforts to keep Jewish culture alive in Poland and other countries of Eastern Europe. They are opening Jewish schools, hospitals and retirement homes. Some are promoting Judaic studies in universities. Jewish community centers also promote cultural events such as the Israeli dance, theater, Yiddish and Hebrew lessons.


Anti-Semitism is still a concern, but Jewish life has been revitalized in countries like Poland.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Ashkenazic Jews are the most prevalent in Poland. They can be Orthodox, ultra-Orthodox, Conservative, or Reformed. The unusual and adamantly traditional Hasidic movement was born in Poland and has gained a strong following in the United States and Israel. Each Jewish denomination maintains synagogues and celebrates the traditional Jewish holiday calendar. While most European Jews are religiously affiliated, there is a significant minority which is not religious.


Orthodox Jews generally follow the traditional religious beliefs and practices found in the Jewish literature that interprets Scripture regarding ethical, religious, civil and criminal matters.


Reform Jews do not believe that the Jewish Law is revealed by God. They are not restricted to kosher foods. They neither wear the skullcap (yarmulke) when praying nor use Hebrew in prayer. All religious Jews believe in the coming of a Messianic Age, but only the Orthodox Jews look for a personal Messiah. They don't believe Jesus is the Messiah.


What Are Their Needs?

The Jews of Poland, like people everywhere, need to realize their need for a Savior. They believe the Old Testament is God's word, but do not realize Jesus fulfilled the many prophecies of the coming Messiah. They need to have their eyes, minds and hearts opened to the truth of God.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to reveal the identity of his son to the Jews of Poland.


Pray for their understanding to be opened and for them to welcome and accept their messiah.


Pray for Messianic Jews in Poland to share their faith with other Jews. Pray for an unstoppable movement towards Jesus among Poland's Jewish population.


Scripture Prayers for the Jewish, Polish in Poland.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jewish, Polish-speaking
People Name in Country Jewish, Polish
Natural Name Polish Jewish
Pronunciation POHL-ish joo
Alternate Names Polish Jew
Population this Country 8,100
Population all Countries 142,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 14432
ROP3 Code 108099
ROP25 Code 303368
ROP25 Name Jewish
Country Poland
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Poland
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Map of Jewish, Polish in Poland
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Religion Subdivision: Judaism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.10 %)
0.40 %
Ethnic Religions
90.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
9.60 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Polish (8,100 speakers)
Language Code pol   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Polish (8,100 speakers)
Language Code pol   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Polish

Primary Language:  Polish

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1522-2016)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1553-1991)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1561-2018)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Polish Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Polish YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Polish YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Photo Source Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: World Jewish Congress, Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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