Contrary to myth, on average, Poland is actually one of the friendlier countries to Jews and to Israel in Europe. Leftist American Jews generally propagate the myth that all Poles are anti-semites. In reality, anti-semitism, while it exists in Poland, is generally lower there than it is in other parts of Europe, including Western Europe. In fact, anti-semitism is highest in the leftist dinner parties in Paris and London.

goes to the right winger as well that is y jews leave the UK. the Brits general way of thinking is "we won the war so we don't have to learn about it", as result they r drentched with BS antisemetic slures waiting to publish in their media.

As a new immigrant to Israel, I have found that the best ways to learn Hebrew are by watching Israeli movies, listening to Hebrew movies and reading easy-to-read Hebrew newspapers like Yanshuf. Looks like they're doing 2 out of 3 in Poland!

I hear it from the Right: that Poland is somewhat responsible, or even equally responsible with Germany, for the Holocaust; that Jews experienced only antisemitism during their centuries in Poland, etc. Ignorance spans the whole ideological spectrum. Poland today is climbing out of Communism and is an exciting place, and yes, some Poles are antisemitic.

I don't live in Poland but I guess that being Polish I subconsciously follow the country's trends because I listened to a few Hebrew lessons and tried to learn the alphabet. Besides the fact that I'm interested in Israel and the Jewish culture, personally I find that Hebrew sounds very nice. I'm also a big fan of Hebrew names: ex. Nissim Daham, Tamar Eshel, Avigdor Tahalani (just random names from some "Israeli politicians" list). You could name your novel characters like that... I didn't find the pronunciation difficult. With tongue-twisters such as "chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie w Szczebrzeszynie", Poles do not find ANY consonants difficult. We may not have some guttural sounds, but we can probably get close. Vowels is another matter, even English vowels are not easy if we want to get them right, but Hebrew seems to use short, "open" vowels quite similar to Polish ones.

Israel is the country that many Poles are looking up to. We envy Jews for things like self-reliance, patriotism, strong military etc. Heh, we especially like the jewish hutzpah in showing from time to time the finger to the world and doing what's right for your country despite the consequences. And we certainly share with Isreal the feeling of being surrounded by enemies or at least false friends.

I agree with the beginning sentences but not with the last one. I wish Israel could have such relations with neighbours as Poland has. Can you imagine having no border controls between Israel and Syria, Jordan or Lebanon and not having to worry about it?

Michal, please speak for yourself - who is that "we" you are referring to? I don't belong to your "we" group (and I am not alone). Myself, I never envy Israel the strong military. I feel sorry about the impact the occupation and the ongoing conflict have on the Israeli society. As for relations with neigbouring countries, Poland is doing quite fine, much better than Israel. PS I love the sound of Hebrew language and I took a course last summer before visiting Israel - learning the sounds and the alphabet was so much fun!

I have been watching the growing popularity of Hebrew for many years now. When I decided to start learning Hebrew in 1997, finding a place to learn it was very difficult - Jewish Historical Institue was one of the very few. At present you can find many courses at various levels, no difficulty to find a private teacher as well. Perhaps it is not easy, but definitely worth learning,

You ,mentioned that "Poland is doing quite fine, much better than Israel." Well it is easy to say when you guys are not fighting a terorist organizations on a daily basis. You leave in Europe and you dont understand Arabs mentality&religion In fact if poland would suffer from suicide bombers and rocket fire on civilians or Arab MPs who support the destruction of Israel will it still be much better?! I suggest you not just to learn hebrow although it is very special language. Please start to learn the sourse of the conflict here in the middle east to know what is "Hamas" and what is their religion view- you might be surprised...

And if you are so worried about the "israeli occupation" Why don't you fight the polish occupation on the Germans city's like "Stettin" or "Breslau" or "Ordensburg Marienburg" (Zamek w Malborku). Maybe you start fight to bring back to germans refugees to Poland...

The increase in the Hebrew language (along with Yiddish) in Poland is a wonderful example of a broadening interest in the Jewish civilization that was part of Polish nationhood for many centuries.Both sets of my grandparents left Poland in the very early years of the 20th century for better futures in the US. The small town in Massachusetts in which I was born and brought up had a large Polish immigrant population of Jews and non-Jews.Both communities got along very well. Some teachers in my elementary,junior high and high schools were from Polish families.I am glad to know that there is a revival of Jewish interest in Poland.

You're deluding yourself thinking that Polands situation now in regard to relations with neighboring countries is that much better than say, 1939. Fortunately, unlike You, a lot of Poles are acutely aware that, just like for Israel, the only way for Poland to remain in existence is to be strong - economically, militarily and socially. And that quite like Jews, Poles are not the most popular nation in the world, so "nobody will die for Danzig", exactly like they didn't in 1939.

Speak for yourself, because I don't think "a lot of Poles" would agree with you. We haven't been attacked since 60 years, we are allied (militarily, politically and economically) with most of our neighbors and in comparison with the previous centuries the situation is great. I'm sure Israel would be happy if the situation in their region was similar (I'm not blaming Israel, obviously a lot depends of the neighbors - Poland's neighbors in the 30s and now is like night and day).