Izaak Kramsztyk
Encyclopedia
Izaak Kramsztyk was a reformed rabbi
, preacher, lawyer and writer. He is credited as the first rabbinic teacher to teach Talmud
in Polish language
. He started a dynasty of Warsaw's benefactors, scientists and writers, which included his sons Zygmunt, Julian, Feliks, Stanisław and his grandson Roman, a renowned painter.
Izaak Kramsztyk was born in Warsaw some time in 1814. He graduated from the local Warsaw's School for Rabbis and soon afterwards he became a tutor at his alma mater
. A renowned preacher, he was chosen as the first to preach in the newly-opened reformist Polish Synagogue in 1852. A supporter of closer ties between Jews and Poles, he also started teaching Talmud in Polish.
In 1861, during the events leading to January Uprising
, Kramsztyk was among the rabbis showing solidarity with the Catholics, at that time protesting against Cossack soldiers desecrating
Warsaw's churches. When the Catholic clergy ordered all Warsaw's churches closed in response to Russian brutality, Kramsztyk reacted likewise and closed down all synagogues of Warsaw as well. He was also among the dignitaries attending the funeral of 5 victims of the February 27, 1861 manifestation. The funeral turned into a large patriotic demonstration and Kramsztyk was arrested by tsarist authorities. Briefly held in Warsaw's Citadel (a notorious prison for political prisoners of the tsarist regime), in the end he was deported from Congress Poland
.
Following the outbreak of January Uprising of 1863 Kramsztyk was once again arrested and deported to Siberia
. He returned to Warsaw following an amnesty of May 1867. He died there in 1889 and was buried at Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery
.
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
, preacher, lawyer and writer. He is credited as the first rabbinic teacher to teach Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
in Polish language
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
. He started a dynasty of Warsaw's benefactors, scientists and writers, which included his sons Zygmunt, Julian, Feliks, Stanisław and his grandson Roman, a renowned painter.
Izaak Kramsztyk was born in Warsaw some time in 1814. He graduated from the local Warsaw's School for Rabbis and soon afterwards he became a tutor at his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
. A renowned preacher, he was chosen as the first to preach in the newly-opened reformist Polish Synagogue in 1852. A supporter of closer ties between Jews and Poles, he also started teaching Talmud in Polish.
In 1861, during the events leading to January Uprising
January Uprising
The January Uprising was an uprising in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth against the Russian Empire...
, Kramsztyk was among the rabbis showing solidarity with the Catholics, at that time protesting against Cossack soldiers desecrating
Desecration
Desecration is the act of depriving something of its sacred character, or the disrespectful or contemptuous treatment of that which is held to be sacred or holy by a group or individual.-Detail:...
Warsaw's churches. When the Catholic clergy ordered all Warsaw's churches closed in response to Russian brutality, Kramsztyk reacted likewise and closed down all synagogues of Warsaw as well. He was also among the dignitaries attending the funeral of 5 victims of the February 27, 1861 manifestation. The funeral turned into a large patriotic demonstration and Kramsztyk was arrested by tsarist authorities. Briefly held in Warsaw's Citadel (a notorious prison for political prisoners of the tsarist regime), in the end he was deported from Congress Poland
Congress Poland
The Kingdom of Poland , informally known as Congress Poland , created in 1815 by the Congress of Vienna, was a personal union of the Russian parcel of Poland with the Russian Empire...
.
Following the outbreak of January Uprising of 1863 Kramsztyk was once again arrested and deported to Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
. He returned to Warsaw following an amnesty of May 1867. He died there in 1889 and was buried at Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery
Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery
The Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery is one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in Europe. Located on Warsaw's Okopowa street and abutting the Powązki Cemetery at , the Jewish Cemetery was established in 1806 and occupies 33 hectares of land. The cemetery contains over 200,000 marked graves, as well...
.