The “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre” Centre in Lublin is a local government cultural institution. It works towards the preservation of cultural heritage and education. Its function is tied to the symbolic and historical meaning of the Centre’s location in the Grodzka Gate, which used to divide Lublin into its respective Christian and Jewish quarters, as well as to Lublin as a meeting place of cultures, traditions and religions.

Part of the Centre are the House of Words and the Lublin Underground Trail.

The “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre” Centre in Lublin is a local government cultural institution. It works towards the preservation of cultural heritage and education. Its function is tied to the symbolic and historical meaning of the Centre’s location in the Grodzka Gate, which used to divide Lublin into its respective Christian and Jewish quarters, as well as to Lublin as a meeting place of cultures, traditions and religions.

Part of the Centre are the House of Words and the Lublin Underground Trail.

"Kol Lublin" - the annual magazine of Lubliners in Israel

"Kol Lublin" ("Voice of Lublin") is the annual magazine of Jews with Lublin roots in Israel and of the diaspora. It is the main forum for communication amongst our community. Fifty years have passed since the first annual was published. We believe that the variety of subjects, the abundance of data, and the richness of expression in "Kol Lublin" form a complement to the “Encyclopedia of the Jewish Diaspora: Lublin”, the pre-eminent publication containing information about the Jewish community in Lublin.

Text by: Neta Żytomirska-Avidar

"Kol Lublin" - the annual magazine of Lubliners in Israel

The first issue of "Kol Lublin"Direct link for this paragraphGo back to indexGo back to index

The first issue of "Kol Lublin" was published in 1962, in memory of the Jewish community of Lublin which had perished twenty years earlier.  Its pages were flooded with the deep sorrow and grief of the immigrants from Lublin. We can only imagine that their sense of accomplishment must have been overshadowed by their pain. This is expressed on the first pages where Jacob Glatstein, a great Lubliner poet and writer, presents an elegy "The Dead Don't Praise God":

We accepted the Torah on Sinai,

And in Lublin we gave it back.

The Dead don't praise God –

The Torah was given for life.

And just as we stood together

At the giving of the Torah,

So indeed did we all die in Lublin.

HistoryDirect link for this paragraphGo back to indexGo back to index

The underlying purpose of "Kol Lublin" has remained true over the last 50 years. It places high value on the rich world of culture, language, and traditions that were the essence of the Jewish community of Lublin. There were synagogues, yeshivas, schools, youth movements, politics, works of art, music, newspapers, and theater. An entire vibrant culture went up in flames during the Shoah, and unless we search, collect and keep its memory, it will be lost for good.

The articles in "Kol Lublin" describe the destruction of the Jewish community. Not only are there survivor testimonies, but "Kol Lublin" contains numerous articles written by renowned historians who were and are familiar with Lublin. These include: Nachman Blumental, Nachman Korn, Alexander Bronowski, David Zilberklang, Robert Kuwalek.

"Kol Lublin" continues to be a space for the members of the Lublin Jewish Organization in Israel to share their knowledge and interests regarding Lublin. This has been expressed in a wide spectrum of poems and literature presented throughout the issues. "Kol Lublin" also continues its mission of honour by annually remembering those who have passed away. "Kol Lublin" also reflects the activities of the Lubliner organization in Israel that have been carried out during the year. A new aspect is the recent interest shown by Israelis who conduct tours in Poland. It appears that the stories and information contained in "Kol Lublin" are used to enhance the on-site experience of the participants.
 
David Sztokfisz (Shtokfish), a Lubliner, was a typographer by trade and the editor of "Kol Lublin" for 40 years. He contributed significant articles and edited numerous Yizkor Books. First editorial members included Ovadia Feld; the journalist, Dr. Elhanan Horwitz, and Ephraim Einstein. In 2003, with the publication of the 39th issue, second generation member Neta Zytomirski Avidar became the editor.
 
Interestingly, the first issue of "Kol Lublin" had no number. It makes us wonder if the editors thought that there would only be one issue. The next issue was published two years later and the number two appeared in the title, thus beginning 50 years of continuous annual publication. One of the most valuable aspects of "Kol Lublin" is the fact that it is written in the language of the people of the time. Yiddish, the language of our parents and grandparents was prevalent in the early issues, while Hebrew became dominant as it became the mother tongue of the next generation of writers. Today, in an attempt to make "Kol Lublin" accessible to more Lubliners, articles are translated from one language to another by the members, as well as being written in English.
 
"Kol Lublin" has evolved over the years, changing from a few pages of newspaper style, to a booklet, with increasing use of photographs, to today's 115-page magazine-like format. The first issue was titled “Lubliner Shtime” with the Hebrew title, “Kol Lublin” appearing as a subtitle. Today, this is reversed.  A simple line drawing depicting the roofs of Lublin houses and the dome of the synagogue (located between the Krakow Gate and the castle) adorned the title. The current title drawing was created by Lubliner architect, Alexander Shrift, and is based on “The Jewish Quarter Around the Castle” by Richard Henker, which appears in Meir Balaban’s book “The Jewish City in Lublin".
In the year 2012, we memorialize the 70th anniversary of the extermination of the Lublin Jews and the 50th anniversary of the publication of the first issue of "Kol Lublin". The Lubliner organization expresses its sincere gratitude to the NN Theatre for its efforts in keeping the memory of Lublin Jews alive, and its help in achieving this goal by making the entire "Kol Lublin" collection available on-line on its website. 
 
"Kol Lublin" - 50 Years of Publication
1962 – 2012
By Neta Zytomirski Avidar
Translated by Shmulik Avidar
Edited by Esther Mandelay, Jarosław Kobyłko

 

The issues of "Kol Lublin"Direct link for this paragraphGo back to indexGo back to index

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 1/1962

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 2/1964

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 3/1969

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 4/1970

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 5/1971

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 6/1972

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 7/1973

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 8/1973

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 9/1974

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 10/1975

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 11/1976

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 12/1978

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 13/1978

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 14/1979

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 15/1980

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 16/1981

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 17/1982

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 18/1983

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 19/1984

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 20/1985

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 21/1986

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 22/1987

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 23/1988

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 24/1988

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 25/1989

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 26/1990

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 27/1991

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 28/1992

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 29/1993

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 30/1994

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 31/1995

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 32/1996

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 33/1997

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 34/1998

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 35/1999

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 36/2000

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 37/2001

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 38/2002

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 39/2003

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 40/2004

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 41/2005

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 42/2006

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 43/2007

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 44/2008

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 45/2009

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 46/2010

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 47/2011

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 48/2012

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 49/2013

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 50/2014

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 51/2015

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 52/2016

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 53/2017

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 54/2018

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 55/2019

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 56/2020

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 57/2021

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 58/2022

Kol Lublin: annual of Lubliners in Israel and diaspora, nr 59/2023

 

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