A new book traces the Jewish survivors of a Polish city through a decade of research, combining history, personal quest, and new technologies.
Book explores Jewish survivors of Lubartów
A new book titled Books Lubartów: The Odyssey of the Disappeared explores the lives of Jewish survivors and those who left the Polish city of Lubartów, written by Claire Zalc, an expert in migration and persecution history. The book is partly inspired by Zalc’s search for traces of her father’s birthplace, a city she found difficult to trace.Collaborative research effort
The work was supported by a European research program with substantial funding, enabling the formation of a team of researchers, doctoral students, and translators from various languages. This collaboration allowed Zalc to travel globally for over a decade to gather information and resources.Use of modern technology
Zalc incorporated modern tools such as big data, genealogy websites, and other digital resources into her research. She provides detailed descriptions of these tools and how they contributed to uncovering the history of Lubartów’s Jewish population.Detailed and personal approach
The book is a multi-layered work, combining meticulous research with personal anecdotes. Zalc includes specific details, such as descriptions of individual apartments and square meters in the city, as well as her own experiences, like losing her mobile phone during an event in Lubartów.Focus on individual stories
The book features chapters on individuals like Ela, a Jewish communist, and Mirla Tenenbaum, highlighting their tragic fates. Zalc also recounts her visits to cemeteries in Buenos Aires, New York, and Tel-Aviv in search of historical records and personal connections.Academic recognition
Annette Wieviorka, a senior research director at CNRS, is associated with the work, underscoring its academic value. The book is published by Minuit and includes 480 pages, with a price of 26.50 €.
