The “absent present”: challenges of educating about Jews in Central and Eastern Europe in the context of the past and present

Abstract

The course aims to show the formation of stereotypes and prejudices towards Others and the resulting behaviours using the example of situation of the Jewish minority in Europe, with particular emphasis on Poland. This geographic orientation results from the fact that after expulsion from Western European countries, Jews found a shelter in Poland for many centuries. In effect Poland become a centre of Jewish life for nearly a 1000 years. The module starts with the introduction providing the historical and social context of including Jews into the European culture: arrival of the first Jewish settlers in Europe, their further migration from Western to Eastern Europe, and the final settling down in the Polish lands. The second part of the theoretical background focuses on the theories explaining formation of bias as a result of intergroup contacts using the example of relations between the Jewish minority and the subsequent host countries.

The final part of the module is dedicated to identifying the ways of establishing understanding, mutually respectful dialogue, and cooperation between the majority and minority groups within a society. It refers to the classic theory of contact hypothesis and the contemporary research in this area. It also incorporates the experiences of international educational and social initiatives implemented by state institutions, municipalities, institutions of the formal child care and education system (preschools, schools and universities) and, last but not least, non-governmental organizations.

Objectives

• To equip students in basic knowledge about the migration of Jews to Europe, the process of their settlement, and building life in Eastern Europe (on the example of Poland);
• To show students the process of shaping bias;
• Familiarizing students with the concept of anti-Semitism, its content and effects on people;
• To give participants tools for diminishing the stereotypes and prejudices.

Target group: Bachelor and Postgraduate program students; Social sciences and educational studies, courses about minorities and attitudes towards Others

Keywords: Jewish minority, religion, stereotype, prejudice, attitude, dialog, reconciliation