For those who disparage Jews with the shout, “Go Back to Poland,” you do both yourself and history a disservice. Yes, Jews have lived as sojourners in many lands across centuries of exile and persecution. But a people dispersed does not cease to be a people, and exile does not erase origins.

The Jewish people originated in the Land of Israel, in Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed, Tiberias, Judea, and Galilee, where Jewish civilization, language, religion, and national identity were formed thousands of years ago. The Hebrew language was born there. The kingdoms of Israel and Judah existed there. Jewish prayers, holidays, and traditions remained centered on that land even after conquest and dispersion scattered Jews across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Poland was one of many places Jews sought refuge after expulsions,........

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