After this initial wave of enthusiasm, however, political forces that had lain concealed during the state socialist era began to emerge and establish a new religious-nationalist orthodoxy. While Solidarity garnered most of the credit for democratization in Poland, it had worked quietly with the Catholic Church, to which a large majority of Poles at least nominally adhered. As the church emerged as a political force in the Polish Sejm and Senate, it precipitated a rapid erosion of women’s reproductive rights, especially the right to abortion, which had been relatively well established under the former regime.The Politics of Morality is an anthropological study of this expansion of power by the religious right and its effects on individual rights and social mores. It explores the contradictions of postsocialist democratization in Poland: an emerging democracy on one hand, and a declining tolerance for reproductive rights, women’s rights, and political and religious pluralism on the other. Yet, as this thoroughly researched study shows, women resist these strictures by pursuing abortion illegally, defying religious prohibitions on contraception, and organizing into advocacy groups. As struggles around reproductive rights continue in Poland, these resistances and unofficial practices reveal the sharp limits of religious form of governance.

    Tracing the origins of the Yiddish language and the growth and flowering of Yiddish literature, Gittleman shows how works written in Yiddish serve different functions in Germany, the shtetls of Eastern Europe, and America.

    

    The title was inspired by the now proverbial phrase, "I am from nowhere," coined by the famous American artist of Carpatho-Rusyn background Andy Warhol. Printed on glossy paper, with 6 maps and 184 historic and contemporary illustrations in color and black-and-white (many of which are reproduced here for the first time) present an excellent introduction to the people who do come from somewhere very real-Carpathian Rus'. The reader can easily discover that this mysterious land has its own rich centuries-long history and distinct culture.

    Though the country's many regions have variations in their costumes, this book recounts the Christmas season in a way that typifies Polish ways in general. Colorful reproductions of Stryjenska's art beautifully illustrate the book. It contains a charming Story of Christmas, and provides menus and recipes, carols and music, the Nativity Play (JaseÅ‚ka), and tree ornaments. The authentic decorations are patterns with detailed instructions for reproducing. It also describes in detail the pleasurable times and tasks of the Przadki, the baked goose on St. Martin's, the star carriers Gwiazdorze, the romancing on St. Sylvester's Eve, the comical Turon, the popular Koleda, the excited children on St. Nicolas Day and the countless preparations for the Christmas holiday season with its joyous events and celebrations. Teachers may find this book helpful in their curriculum as reference resource for ethnic studies. It is delightful reading not only for the Christmas season but also during the whole year to be enjoyed by all. It makes and excellent gift and can help you plan your own Wigilia with countless preparation ideas for the Christmas holiday season.