Krakow
Kazimierz
Old Jewish Cemetery in Kazimierz in Krakow
September 2, 2004
The second student tour we saw was of Kazimierz, the old Jewish district. We learned
that it was there that the Jews lived for much of Krakow’s history. The Jews started
in the area where Collegium Maius is currently standing in Old Town and many historians
believe that the college was actually originally a Jewish city in the 1200’s, however
not enough evidence exists to prove that.
Whatever the truth, the Jews moved to the area close to ul Garbarska (street) later,
however only a temporary home. They eventually moved to Kazimierz, which was actually
a separate city at the time, so Krakow had no Jews living within city limits. Later
this area became part of Krakow and remained the Jewish district. Most Jews in Krakow
lived here until the 1900’s when they were moved by the Nazis at the break of WWII.
They were placed in a ghetto across the river so that they would not know the streets
and hiding places. It was in Kazimierz however that Steven Spielberg filmed Schindler’s
List as the Krakow ghetto.
The district is riddled with synagogues and memorials, along with a great night
life and a unique feel. After the tour, I went into a synagogue to look around and
then went into the cemetery.
Following this we went to the Galacija Museum, a Jewish museum in pictures. We got
a tour by the director, an English man; the museum presents a very unique perspective
on past and present Jewish life and culture in Krakow, not just the Holocaust and
Auschwitz.
Old Jewish Cemetery in Kazimierz in Krakow
September 15, 2004
Wednesday was Rosh Hashanah at the Galicija Museum and I decided to attend along
with a few others. I’m not Jewish and know little about Jewish customs so it was
a cultural experience. The crowd was rather large, larger than expected and so I
had to stand in the back. This wasn’t a problem, except the sound was terrible in
there and I had a hard time understanding what was being said… therefore I learned
little of what the celebration was about.
Despite not being able to hear, I truly felt like I was learning by simply seeing
the people and the pictures in the museum. The explanations were followed with kosher
vodka tasting and snacks. The bread was great, but the rest of the food I didn’t
especially like, although I've had plenty of good kosher food.
The night continued with traditional dancing and music, the music was pretty good,
and the dancing was very different from what I’m used to as traditional dances.
The lead dancer was very talented and the group was very focused and in sync. Overall
the night was a great experience, however I’m going to have to read more about the
traditions since I heard very little of the explanations, and my Jewish roommate,
Dan didn't know much more.