Polish Jews cancel Independence Day celebration due to security concerns

The Jewish community of Warsaw was forced to call off a celebration of Poland’s Independence Day a day before the event was scheduled to take place. The cancelation reportedly came following safety concerns.

The Board of the Jewish Community of Warsaw canceled the planned event at the city’s Nozyk synagogue. Among the scheduled speakers were Anna Chipczynska, chairwoman of the Jewish Community of Warsaw, Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich, and Anna Cialowicz, author of an anthology of pre-World War II articles titled 'My Jewish Warsaw'.

Attendees of the ceremony were to have been limited to members of the Jewish community and guests invited by the board. The event was cancelled to ensure the safety of members of the community in the face security warnings, the news website 'Jewish.pl' reported. 

On 11 November 1918, Poland gained its independence. In honor of the day, the largest Polish cities hold marches and sports and cultural events. Marches through the streets of Warsaw were attended by about 80,000 people this year.