Comments on: 8 Things You Need to Know About Polish Americans

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:10:00 +0000

I always thought Richie Sambora was Italian. ???

By: Izabela

Izabela — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:05:00 +0000

Laini,
Actually your statement is quite flawed. Jews enjoyed many privilages granted to them by the Polish (more than most European countries), which is why the jewish population in Poland was so high. They held good jobs, were able to own homes and land, attend schools (quite a privilage in those days). As you know WWII started with Hitlers invasion of Poland and it is then that the jewish ghettos were formed. Many Poles risked their lives to help the jews in the ghettos (their families and even entire villages could be killed for this). My grandmother used to make a weekly trip with their family horse and cart to smuggle in food, clothing and sanitary supplies to the ghettos. Our family “adopted” 3 jewish children (a common practice Poles did to save the jewish kids’ lives) despite the fact that they already had 7 kids to feed during WWII. Priests forged documents to prove to the Germans that the kids were Polish Catholics. Almost every family I knew while I lived in Poland has a similar story. I though it is necessary to correct your post. I’m sure you are aware of these historical facts, with your grandparents having lived in Poland during that time and all. How did they make it through WWII?

By: sparkgrl54

sparkgrl54 — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:27:00 +0000

that’s weird about the ethnic slur thing cuz i’m a full pole & everyone in my family calls each other polaks. the food thing is definately true though, polski food is the best ever. end of story. period.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:03:00 +0000

I myself am a Polak having grown up in Hamtramck, MI. My family never found it to be a slur…but then again I suppose we don’t find anything to be a slur. But I must agree that our Christmas Eve dinners are THE BOMB. They aren’t traditional like described, but there is nothing like 50 Poles, about 25 different foods to choose from and a overwhelming flow of blackberry brandy, vodka and beer. Na Zadrowie.

By: Laini

Laini — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:39:00 +0000

Betsy, Jews living in Poland historically have been denied citizenship in that country. They were subject to numerous pogroms in the country and forced to live in ghettos in the city.

Their ethnicity is Jewish, not Polish. My father’s parents (z”l) always, always, always defined themselves as, “Jews from Poland.” Never “Polish.”

By: Dawn

Dawn — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:45:00 +0000

I first discovered pierogis in college (Erie, PA), and I heartily thank the Poles for them!

By: Betsy

Betsy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:27:00 +0000

What about Polish Jews? My grandfather’s family was from Poland and Jewish. Surely you could mention Judaism in your religious segment.

By: Derek

Derek — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:08:00 +0000

I love the Polish! I live on North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago and it’s all Polish, all the time. They know how to party and are always nice. Even though I’m German, they are always nice, now towards the Russians…that’s different story.

By: Kirk

Kirk — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 06:26:00 +0000

Thanks for the list. I’m 1/2 Polish, as is my wife. Her family did not do Wigilia, but mine does. She and my sister are trying to change things up a bit this year, having no appreciation for history and tradition. While I’ve been part of Wigilia every year of my life I was never told the meaning behind some of the traditions (I’m 37). Now I know and will resist, even more so, their efforts to change the menu!

By: kate

kate — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:50:00 +0000

So now it’s so late that probably no one will read this, but are there any good Polish restaurants in Scranton? I live in New York state, but for some reason, it’s substantially cheaper for me to fly out of Scranton when heading west. So, for Christmas, I am. And since my plane leaves at 6:00 am, I’m coming down the night before. I’ve never eaten Polish food, but it sounds like that might be a good place to try it! Suggestions welcome.