To co pamiętam Marii Dąbrowskiej – mało znany przyczynek do historii Żydów kaliskich

The establishment of the Year of Maria Dąbrowska in Kalisz in 2024 provides an excellent opportunity to revisit her text about the Jews of Kalisz, written in 1960 and first published in „Ziemia Kaliska” in 1989. In her essay To, co pamiętam („What I Remember”), the author describes her memories of interactions with the Jewish community in Kalisz, depicting an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual coexistence. The text highlights her positive experiences while also emphasizing the distinctiveness of Jewish life. Despite later accusations of antisemitism, Dąbrowska’s recollections suggest a more complex and empathetic attitude toward Jews, challenging the validity of those accusations.