Courage and the Price of Integrity

It was 1942, three years after the German invasion of Poland. In the village of Rekowka, 90 miles south of Warsaw, German troops appeared in a house occupied by two families, Skoczylas and Kosiorow. Apparently acting on a tip, they were looking for Jews. Indeed, there were six Jewish people being sheltered by the Poles […]

To Be Free, You Have to Be Able to Defend Yourself.

In two weeks it will be 70 years.  Two, may be three generations ago.  How many people still remember it?  How many of them, who saw it with their own eyes, are still alive?   And there were only a few not afflicted by these events. The Biblical scene of David fighting Goliath always fascinated […]

When Do We Start Getting Old

You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing. George Bernard Shaw While in Poland, I had a close friend, Andrzej.  His father was a barber and used to cut my hair.  When I was in the first grade, my friend was in fourth. We used to walk to […]

Why Young People are Leaving the Country of Their Parents

Italy: The Nation That crushes Its Young.  (NYT, Oct 30, 2013) Italy Breaks Your Heart.  (NYT, Oct 26, 2013) These two recent articles published in the New York Times captured my attention.  They both comment on the exodus of Italian young people, particularly males, and their travel to France, England and for more lucky ones […]

Three Heroes Who Overthrew the Communism in Europe

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! Ronald Reagan (1987) This is how most people in this country see the fall of communism in Europe and the person who made it happened. Let me tell you another side of this story. In 1945, after victory over Hitler’s Germany and with the full approval of our allies, […]

Polish mathematicians on the forefront of fight with Germany

The universe is made up from stories, not atoms. Muriel Rukeyser Europe in the 1930s saw general tensions growing as a result of WW I and German unhappiness with the Treaty of Versailles.  The Germans were arming themselves and obviously getting ready to change the balance of power.  Secrecy of military communications was of utmost […]

About Chrysanthemums, and the Importance of Symbols

Yesterday, Bonnie brought home two bunches of flowers.  One was her favorite sunflowers.  The other flowers were still in green buds, not opened yet.  I asked what they were, she said “chrysanthemums”.  I said “what?” , she repeated, “Chrysanthemums, why do you ask?”. So I told her about our tradition.  Every year, on 1st of […]

How to Love Your Country

I love Italy!  I am fascinated by its roots, history, culture and customs.  The landscape is unique and the people very friendly.  I took Latin at school and recently learned Italian.  Each time I travel there, the experience is unforgettable.   Most people don’t know how strong ties between Poland and Italy are.  Everything started […]

How to Raise Your Children, so They’ll Love You Back

Give me a child until he is seven, and I will give you a man. Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Jesuit order There is a story told me by my Father.  It was very popular in Poland, when we were run by communist Russia after WWll. To help women with a heavy work schedule in […]