Jewish Self Criticism Candor Korczak

Ghetto Diary, by Janusz Korczak. 2003

Includes Candid Jewish Self-Criticism. Polish Scholar Ewa Kurek Was Right About “Normal” Jewish Behavior, Which Was Quite Comparable to “Normal” Polish Behavior

Owing to the fact that Korczak cared for children, it is not surprising that much of his diary is devoted to this subject. But there is much more to it.

JEWS AND POLES: REFRESHING CANDOR

Korczak mentions Jewish virtues such as talent and hard work (p. 179), but also comments: “The Jews are conceited and that is why they are despised. I believe this will change, perhaps soon.” (p. 182).

As for Poles, he writes: “The world knows nothing of many great Poles.” (p. 86). Also: “Nietzsche was also of Polish origin—Nitzki, you know.” (p. 28).

“NORMAL” LIFE GOES ON—FOR JEWS AS WELL AS FOR POLES. EWA KUREK WAS RIGHT

Unlike other diarists, Korczak devotes little direct attention to German Nazi actions in the Warsaw Ghetto. The consequences, however, are obvious: “The body of a dead boy lies in the sidewalk. Nearby, three boys are playing horses and drivers. At one point, they notice the body, move a few steps to the side, and go on playing.” (p. 121). Korczak, an obvious intellectual, invites others to discussions in his flat about such topics as Napoleon, Leonardo da Vinci, freedom, destiny and free will, etc. (p. 155).

These everyday Jewish behaviors, despite the evident suffering, shed light on comparable Polish ones. Holocaust materials have commonly featured the Poles engaged in normal activities (riding a carousel, attending Easter Mass, etc.) while the ghetto was burning–all insinuating the cold indifference of Poles to Jewish suffering. More recently, Ewa Kurek was misrepresented (deliberately?) as saying that Jews were enjoying themselves during the Holocaust. They were no such thing. Enough Polonophobia. We see that both Poles and Jews simply attempted to live lives as close to normal as possible in the face of all the horrors surrounding them. It was no more mysterious than that.

KORCZAK SPURNS POLISH SALVATION

Korczak was offered to be saved by his Polish friends (p. 39), who had already made forged identification papers for him. He refused, and went to the gas chambers of Treblinka with the children in his care.

How many other—unknown Jews—had spurned proferred Polish aid?