'Lucky Jew' Statues: Are Polish Figurines A Symptom Of Anti-Semitism Or Just In Bad Taste?

[Behind the Aegis]

WARSAW, Poland -- Shortly after receiving a sneak peek of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews (there are no exhibits yet: the museum is to open to the public in 2014), I walked along the cobblestone streets of the Old Town section of Warsaw for some sightseeing, when something caught my eye.

A shopkeeper was selling the souvenir staples: long Polska scarves for the chilly Polish winters, Poland magnets, and untraditional tourist fare like a statue of what, at first glance, appeared to be an innocuous, even cute, depiction of a religious Jew. At first I thought maybe my family back home would enjoy it.

Then I looked closer. The Jew, wearing a yarmulke and tallit, had a large, hooked nose. In his hand was a shiny coin.

This was disturbing to me, especially just after hearing of the tales of Jews sent to concentration camps and the remnants of the Warsaw Ghetto who died fighting -- due in part to the stereotypes that I saw on the figures. Who buys these things, I wondered? As it turns out, Poles do. Tourists do. Even the head of the Anti-Defamation League. (All for different reasons.)

more: http://www.ibtimes.com/lucky-jew-statues-are-polish-figurines-symptom-anti-semitism-or-just-bad-taste-photo-1320991#

[hr]

I think this surpasses "bad taste" and is an expression of anti-Semitism. Given Poland's history of Jew hate, I can't say I am terribly surprised.

ETA photo:

[slor]

1. Many Polish people worked willingly with the nazis...

I even read that about 5000 Jewish people were killed AFTER WW II trying to return to their homes.


edits because I should be sleeping, not typing

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Both are quite true.

However, there were a few heroes among the Polish, including Irena Sendler. This is also a good link to read, Polish Righteous among the Nations. There is still quite a bit of anti-Semitism in Poland, though.

[TexasProgresive]

4. There is a lot of anti-Semitism where I live as well.

We humans can't seemed to get over being prejudiced against other humans. We need to GROW UP!

[TexasProgresive]

3. And there are Polish heros

Like my wife's great Grandfather (a governmental official) who died of starvation rather than give up the names of Jews in his area.

For that matter there were Jews who collaborated with the NAZIs. It made their lives better for a short while but not in the end.

[Bill USA]

5. recommended.

[Ash_F]

6. Wow it was way worse when I clicked the OP

...than I expected.