The Shavei Israel organization has released a new, first-of-its-kind Polish-language guide to the holiday of Chanukah – entitled "Lights for Polish Jewry" - which will be distributed this week to thousands of "hidden Jews" throughout Poland. The new book contains the history, laws and customs of Chanukah, including a sampling of traditional songs and recipes.
Shavei Israel works in nine countries to bring back to Judaism “hidden Jews,” who themselves or their parents or ancestors were forced to practice the religion secretly. Its founder Michael Freund said, “In recent years, an increasing number of Poles have rediscovered their Jewish ancestry, seeking to reclaim the precious heritage that was so brutally taken from them and their forebears. It is our hope that this book will…enable a new generation of Polish Jews to celebrate Chanukah with joy, as well as gain a better understanding of our eternal faith, its principles and beliefs".
Approximately 4,000 Jews are officially registered as living in Poland, but according to various estimates, there are tens of thousands of others who have concealed their true identity, or are simply unaware of it.
Many of the “hidden Jews” in Poland lost all contact with Judaism due to extreme anti-Semitism after the Holocaust, and some of them even converted. Others concealed their Jewishness from the Communist authorities and now feel free to resume their true identity.
Another phenomenon pertains to Jewish young people who were adopted by Catholic families and institutions during the Holocaust. They were told nothing of their Jewish identity, and only in recent years have they or their descendants gradually begun to rediscover it.
Shavei Israel also provides assistance to different communities, such as the Bnei Menashe of India, the Bnei Anousim in Spain, Portugal and South America, the Subbotnik Jews of Russia, the Jewish community of Kaifeng in China as well as the "hidden Jews" of Poland.
Its emissaries in Poland conduct seminars in Poland and provide assistance for the process of conversion to those who choose to immigrate to Israel.