Jewish history in Poland

Jewish history in Poland spans over a millennium, beginning in the 10th century when Jews settled in the region. Poland became a major center of Jewish culture and scholarship by the 16th century, home to significant communities and institutions like the Council of Four Lands. However, the thriving Jewish culture faced severe challenges during wars and partitions in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Holocaust in World War II decimated Polish Jewry, with around 3 million Jews perishing. Post-war, many survivors emigrated, leading to a dramatic decline in Poland's Jewish population, though a small community remains today, reflecting its rich heritage.