My Roots !
Poland is a country located in Central Europe. Its surface area 312,683 sq. km (120,727 sq. miles) and it has a population of 38 million inhabitants. Administratively, Poland is divided into forty-nine vivodeships (provinces). Its border is 3,538 km (2,198 miles) long. History and Politics: The landmark in process that led to the creation of the Polish state was the adoption of Christianity in 966 by Prince Mieszko I. Mieszko united the Slavonic tribes which inhabited the area roughly corresponding to Poland's present territory. His son, Boleslaw Chrobry, consolidated the new state and became its first king, crowned in 1025. His successors made up the Piast dynasty, which ruled till the 14th century, at first from Gniezno, and later from Krakow. After its demise, the Polish throne went to the Lithuanian Jagiellonian dynasty. Poland and Lithuania were joined by a personal union, superseded by a real union in the 16th century. After their victory over Teutonic Order, the Jagiellonians began to expand their state eastwards and become the most powerful ruling family in continental Europe; their dominions included Poland, Lithuania, Bohemia and Hungary, and from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Jewish links with Poland are as old the Poland state: (paradisum judeorum) in the 10th century Jews came to Poland as merchants; the oldest records of Jewish settlements date back to the 11th century. During the Crusades and as a result of persecution in Western Europe, Jews came to Poland from Germany, Bohemia, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Turkey. In 1264 Boleslaus the Pious, Duke of Kalisz. Granted Jews separate privileges called The Kalisz Statutes, which became the legal foundation for their presence as a community in Poland. The privileges were extended by King Casimir the Great, and later by other Polish rulers. Thus, the Jewish population enjoyed the rights to freely practice their religion, form communities and create social institutions to independently deal with their own problems. In the 16th century a Jewish parliamentary body (Vaad Arbaa Aratzot) was established in Lublin to become an autonomous representation of Polish and Lithuanian Jewry. Jewish religious and secular cultures in Poland started to flourish. Talmudic academies, which would come to be well known throughout Europe, were founded, rabbinical literature thrived. In addition, Jewish scientists were active in all fields of secular knowledge, including medicine, mathematics, and astronomy. Further development of non-religious sciences was connected with Haskalah, or the Jewish Enlightenment Movement, which propagated emancipation and assimilation into the country?s social and cultural life without, however, rejecting or opposing the Jewish religion or traditions. The Hasidic movement was born in the eastern part of the Polish Commonwealth in the 18th century. It was founded by Israel ben Eliezar (Baal Shem Tov) of Podole. Assimilation tendencies persisted throughout the 19th century, but the second half of the century also saw the emergence of the Zionist movement. Many political parties appeared and continued their activity during the inter war period. World War II and the Nazi occupation uprooted the Jewish population from Polish soil and put an abrupt halt to the development of Jewish culture in Poland. In 1939 Poland stood up to Hitler and was defeated after a short struggle and Soviet invasion from the East. In spite of a double occupation, poles created the structures of an underground state and a resistance movement. A government in exile resided in London and Polish soldiers fought on almost all fronts of the war. 11 million citizens of Poland lost their lives between 1939 and 1945. How Could 5,000,000 Be Killed and Forgotten?
After WWII Poland was sold to Soviet domination, after The Yalta accords signed by the allied powers imposed new frontiers on Poland coupled with Soviet domination and the communist system. (under Soviet domination to 1989 about 1 million Polish citizens lost lives) Poles, however, did not accept the new, totalitarian order. A series of protests culminated in 1980 with a nation-wide wave of strikes which opened the way for creation of the independent trade union "Solidarity". Even the imposition of martial law in December 1981 was not able to stop the process of change and arrest the decay of the communist system. After election held as a result of the "round table" talks in 1989 the opposition entered Parliament, and September 1989 the first non-communist government was formed.
Mitchell Ozog (Mieczyslaw Ozog) was born in Poland in 1958. Since his childhood, he has always had a strong interest in studying books on social behaviour and for many years he has been a consumer some affairs in his country and abroad; especially fascinated with politics. After beginning of Polish Revolution in 1980, he was involved in SOLIDARITY movement, Independent Workers Union established by Polish workers. In 1984, he joined to PPN, Polish Independent Party (Polska Partia Niepodleglosciowa) where he remained until 1988. He was one of the founders and Editor-in-Chief of THOUGHTS (MYSLI) newspaper in Wroclaw, Poland as well. When SB (Secret Police) disclosed his political involvement, he got arrested and remained in prison. Since that he was constantly oppressed by SB (frequently arrested and prohibited on employment as punishment) Besides politics, Mitchell Ozog became fascinated by photography. Since 1975 and after Polish Revolution began he was deeply involved in documentary and social photography. He had become Freelance and wedding-Portrait photographer. In 1988, he left Poland to settle in USA. He has been pursuing his carrier in photography, especially interested in landscape photography. AWARDS In 1992 and 1993 awarded by Photography Forum Magazine - Best Photography and by American Photo Magazine - Best Photography in 1994. Also, awarded by Web site www.Photoimagination.com in 2000 for Best Photo of a day. 2003 Golden Web Award - The International Association of Web Masters and Designers. 2003, 2004, 2005 Masonic Websites Certified of excellent - Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry. HONORS and ACTIVITIES Volunteer work in Election 2000, for Republican Party and for President GW Bush 2000. August 06 2002, and 2004 Elected Precinct Delegate for 2-year term of office, ANN ARBOR CITY Ward 1 Precinct 10. Elected Officer for 2003, 2004, 2005 Bonisteel Masonic Library ? Vice President, Ann Arbor, MI. Known for a several exhibitions in Europe and USA. Presently, he lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He studied Graphic Design (Graphic Design Technology (Design Option) Associate in Applied Science Degree) at WCC in Ann Arbor, MI. Mitch has educated and influenced an entire generation of computer users in areas of graphic design, the Mac, PC and the web. He has used the Mac and PC platform since 1990 and continues to follow a career of digital creativity. The Hobbies - Art, Photography, Graphic/Web Design, Nature, Spirituality,{KABBALAH},History, Books, Internet,and more. (Graphic Design Technology Student Exhibition) My life not done yet so please check out web site soon for more information about.
For More click here |
