PAJA - YOUTH ACTION

WWW.FORUM-ZNAK.ORG.PL

October 2003

PAJA, the Polish/American/Jewish Alliance for Youth Action, was formed in America in the year 2000 by a group of Polish & Americans troubled by the continued existence of prejudice & intolerance among ethnic groups & specifically their effects on Polish/Jewish relations.

PAJA website

To work toward the conclusive eradication of prejudice means providing the people of the world the tools to get the job done. PAJA provides Polish, American & Israeli students; Jewish & Christian, opportunities to obtain these tools.

Organization is classified in America as a charitable, 501(c)(3) tax exempt educational instutution. Its leaders are exploring the possibilty of establishing PAJA similarly in Poland. Commitment to its program comes from grassroots support of people living in the United States & Poland.

PAJA's Goals

1. To promote the development of a youth infrastructure in Poland & America that creates opportunities for young people to conceive & develop programs that bring about dialogue between themselves & other young Christians and Jews.

2. To build youth leadership by promoting the role young people need to play as emissaries of understanding, learning & information that will eliminate ignorance & myth in their communities, their families, schools, churches & synagogues.

3. To promote the implementation of educational curricula in American & Polish public and parochial schools that teaches a comprehensive view of the history of Polish-Jewish relations as well as the effects of prejudice, anti-Semitism and anti-Polish sentiment and that promotes the development of strategies to overcome the persistence of prejudice in Jewish/Polish relationships wherever it exists.

4. To create opportunities for young people from Poland and America to meet & learn directly from each other by sharing experiences & perceptions.

PAJA Poland

PAJA's presence in Poland went into full gear in April 2003 when its President moved to Poland & committed to work for one year to establish PAJA Poland. In the first three months, PAJA has established a firm foothold, exemplified by the group of young students that have become PAJA's Youth Board in Poland. This Board has developed the following agenda:

1. Clearinghouse of Information
Development of a Clearinghouse of Information on the internet & in magazine form that periodically updates & keeps current information about the organizations, activities, personal profiles, etc. related to the Polish/Jewish Dialogue in Poland & elsewhere.

2. Meetings with Rabbis
Sponsorship of a series of student meetings at universities throughout Poland with rabbis and other people informed about Jewish culture and history in Poland.

3. Meetings with Groups Visiting Poland
Facilitation of dialogue opportunities between Polish students & Jewish groups that visit Poland.

4. Righteous Among the Nations
Recognition of the Polish Righteous Among Nations with a series of student ceremonies & interaction opportunities in major Polish cities.

5. Live Satellite/Internet Meetings
Creation of a series of live international satellite/internet meetings between Jewish & Polish students in Poland, America & Israel.

PAJA America

The primary goal of PAJA America is to help Jews & Poles understand the need for the Polish-Jewish dialogue. This effort began in 2002 with the inaugural session of PAJA's one-day workshop, "Developing Connections" at the Polish Embassy in Washington, DC. PAJA's efforts in America continue with the projects listed below:

1. "Developing Connections"
The workshop "Developing Connections" is the centerpiece of PAJA's American efforts. It continues to be offered to Polish & Jewish youth.

2. PAJA on Campus
PAJA on Campus utilizes the network of college students PAJA has worked with to arrange presentations on campus. These events usually occur during lunchtime, however, several larger gatherings are currently under consideration.

3. Live Satellite/Internet Meetings
This is the other American side of this effort to create a series of live international satellite/internet meetings between Jewish and Polish students in America, Europe and Israel.

4. "Jewish Poland"
"Jewish Poland" is a book-length photo essay in progress by the internationally known photographer Carol Highsmith. PAJA is a partner with Ms. Highsmith in this effort & PAJA volunteers will assist Ms. Highsmith as she travels Poland.

5. Pulaski Day Parade
Through the efforts of a Polish-American whose daughter is a graduate of PAJA's "Developing Connections" Workshop, plans are underway for a PAJA float in this American celebration of Polish culture.