At the request of Polish Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich, and in partnership with the local Jewish community, Rabbi Avraham Flaks [pictured above], 38, is being dispatched to Krakow by the Jerusalem-based Shavei Israel organization, which reaches out and assists "lost Jews" seeking to return to the Jewish people.
Rabbi Flaks will serve as chief rabbi of Krakow's Jews and as an official emissary of Shavei Israel, with his efforts focused on strengthening the Jewish community and on outreach to the unaffiliated.
"The challenge is immense, as is the responsibility," Rabbi Flaks said, "but I look forward to working together with the community and its leadership to help keep the flame of Judaism burning brightly in Krakow, particularly among the younger generation of Polish Jews."
An estimated 1,000 Jews are believed to live in Krakow, of whom 200 are registered members of the community. Many are people who, since the fall of Communism, have begun to uncover their Jewish roots. This includes numerous "hidden children" who were adopted by Catholic foster families during the Nazi occupation and who have only now discovered their Jewish background. As part of his work, Rabbi Flaks will try to draw them closer to their heritage.
"In a place where the Germans sought to erase all traces of Judaism, and nearly succeeded, it is gratifying to see that Jewish life still endures," said Shavei Israel Chairman Michael Freund. "Many of Poland's "hidden Jews" are seeking to reconnect with the Jewish people, and we must do what we can to help them return. Six decades after the Holocaust, the best revenge is to rebuild Jewish life and to bring as many of these people back as possible," he said.
The Rema Synagogue, Krakow Rabbi Flaks was born and raised in Moscow, where he received advanced degrees in chemical physics prior to immigrating to Israel 13 years ago. He holds a master's degree in history, philosophy and sociology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is fluent in Hebrew, Russian and English. Rabbi Flaks is married with one child.
Krakow is heir to a long and rich Jewish heritage which stretches back for over 700 years. The city is home to the famous Rema Synagogue, where 16th-century scholar Rabbi Moshe Isserles presided. Rabbi Joel Sirkis, known as the Bach, served as the city's Chief Rabbi in the 17th century. Both of their commentaries on Jewish law are still studied today.
On the eve of World War II, Krakow was home to an estimated 60,000 Jews, who comprised 25% of the city's population. Just 2,000 of them survived the Holocaust.
Rabbi Flaks will serve as chief rabbi of Krakow's Jews and as an official emissary of Shavei Israel, with his efforts focused on strengthening the Jewish community and on outreach to the unaffiliated.
"The challenge is immense, as is the responsibility," Rabbi Flaks said, "but I look forward to working together with the community and its leadership to help keep the flame of Judaism burning brightly in Krakow, particularly among the younger generation of Polish Jews."
An estimated 1,000 Jews are believed to live in Krakow, of whom 200 are registered members of the community. Many are people who, since the fall of Communism, have begun to uncover their Jewish roots. This includes numerous "hidden children" who were adopted by Catholic foster families during the Nazi occupation and who have only now discovered their Jewish background. As part of his work, Rabbi Flaks will try to draw them closer to their heritage.
"In a place where the Germans sought to erase all traces of Judaism, and nearly succeeded, it is gratifying to see that Jewish life still endures," said Shavei Israel Chairman Michael Freund. "Many of Poland's "hidden Jews" are seeking to reconnect with the Jewish people, and we must do what we can to help them return. Six decades after the Holocaust, the best revenge is to rebuild Jewish life and to bring as many of these people back as possible," he said.
Krakow is heir to a long and rich Jewish heritage which stretches back for over 700 years. The city is home to the famous Rema Synagogue, where 16th-century scholar Rabbi Moshe Isserles presided. Rabbi Joel Sirkis, known as the Bach, served as the city's Chief Rabbi in the 17th century. Both of their commentaries on Jewish law are still studied today.
On the eve of World War II, Krakow was home to an estimated 60,000 Jews, who comprised 25% of the city's population. Just 2,000 of them survived the Holocaust.