Prince Opens Community Centre

by Justin Cohen in Krakow - Thursday 1st May 2008


“Nothing could give my wife and I greater pleasure and pride”, Prince Charles declared this week, “than to declare open the new Jewish community centre in Krakow.”

It would be easy to take these words with a degree of scepticism given the heir to the throne’s many charitable and other commitments but it was clear from the Prince’s attendance and the warmth he engenders in this small community that this was far more than just another run-of-the-mill duty.

Top stories

email this page to a friend print this page email the editor buy this content
The Prince - who helped affix a mezuzah to the main door - told locals, members of the UK and Polish media and British supporters of the World Jewish Relief project that seeing activities take place inside the centre was heart-warming.

“For me it's very moving indeed to be able to join the Jewish community here in Krakow, who I know have suffered so much in the past, and to be able to join you today on the steps of this new community centre which so many people have contributed to through their remarkable generosity.”

Tuesday’s ceremony came six years after the Prince contacted WJR after meetings with Holocaust survivors in Krakow moved him to want to help a once-flourishing community that was decimated by the Holocaust. It was from that contact that the centre was conceived as a one-stop shop which would cater for the social, educational and medical needs of locals. His Royal Highness even contributed some of his own money to the Ł700,000 project, which now stands proudly beside the still-active 16th century Tempel Synagogue.

On Tuesday - amid a heavy police operation and as crowds lined the streets to catch a glimpse - the royal couple toured the strikingly-modern centre, beaming as local youngsters danced the hora and chatting to survivors in the senior club. There, he met some members of the community which he later said had "borne witness to the darkest clouds of human history".

Glancing proudly at a photograph of a meeting several years ago with Prince Philip, Sophie Radikowska, a member of the senior group who was forced out of Krakow and then avoided detection by living on Polish papers, said: “The opening of the Jewish Community Centre is a historic moment for the community. I last saw such a house in Jerusalem and at that time I couldn’t be sure we would have such a house in Krakow.”

From around 65,000 at its height in 1938, official figuress suggest the community now numbers just 150. It is suggested, however, that the number could be as many as 3,000.

Poland’s Chief Rabbi, Michael Shudrich, said one of the reasons the centre makes a difference is that "it's only since the fall of Communism that most of the Jews in Poland have discovered they have Jewish roots. So there's a real sense of alienation as they try to take on their new identity."

He added: "The fact the Prince of Wales came here for the opening and said he wants to do something and followed through is tremendously important for people whose parents and grandparents didn’t even tell them they’re Jewish.”

Also highlighting the importance of bringing people together under one roof, he said: “One person meets another, old, young, traditional meets not traditional. And from the synergy you create a community.” While acknowledging that anti-semitism was still at unacceptable levels, as in other European countries, he insisted that Poland stood out because there was also a significant number of people in the country that want to learn about Jewish culture.

And it seems the centre is already attracting non-Jews who are interested in the religion who might otherwise not have had contact with the community.

Before this week’s event, Lukasz, 21, said he had never before spoken to someone he knew to be Jewish. But outside the centre, he stood in front of me proudly wearing a World Jewish Relief t-shirt, having volunteered to help out at the centre on the big day. He told me he was “eager to meet some Jewish people and learn about the culture. I’ve read a bit about Jewish history.”

WJR Chairman Nigel Layton told the Prince: “As patron Sir, you have gone the extra mile and together with the Jewish community here in Krakow we are hugely grateful. WJR is proud to have delivered a building which will help to shape the future of the community.”

The largest contributions to the project came from Leo and Susan Noe and Cyril and Hilary Dennis as well as the Blauston Trust.

Read the latest copy of The Jewish News Online by clicking here.