A Man of Success in the Land of Success: The Biography of Marcel Goldman, a Kracovian in Tel Aviv

by Lukasz Tomasz Sroka, Katarzyna Rogalska-Chodecka (Translator), Aleksander B. Skotnicki (Preface by)

Overview

This book tells the story of Holocaust survivor and prominent banker Marcel Goldman, born in Krakow in 1926. Goldman started his studies in economics in Krakow and completed them in Israel, where he became a respected banker. In telling his story, this book analyzes Israel’s social and economic development, its causes and circumstances. Following Goldman as our main character, we take a close look at the birth of the private banking sector and the building of modern economy in Israel. The book also describes the life of Polish Jews in Israel in general, the way in which they settled there, and built the prosperity of the state. The story of Marcel Goldman is an example of how Israel’s success is the sum of its citizens’ successes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781644698723
Publisher:	Academic Studies Press
Publication date:	07/26/2022
Series:	Jews of Poland
Pages:	436
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

Łukasz Tomasz Sroka is Professor of History, infobroker, Chairman of the History Discipline Council, and Head of the Department of 19th Century History at the Pedagogical Universityin Krakow. He also serves as chairman of the Committee for the Preservation of Monuments of Jewish Culture of the Society of History and Monuments Enthusiasts. He conducts research on the history and culture of Jews in the 19th and 20th centuries, Polish-Jewish relations, the history of contemporary Israel, Polish-Israeli relations and the history of Galicia (especially Lviv and Krakow). Sroka is the creator or co-creator of several international exhibitions on Jewish topics. His achievements include over 100 scientific papers published in numerous countries. He is the author of the monograph In the Light of Vienna: Jews in Lviv. Between Tradition and Modernization (1867-1914), (2019) and co-editor of the volume Polish-Israeli Cooperation Experience, from Zionism to Israel (2017).

Table of Contents

Preface by Aleksander B. Skotnicki

Introduction

1. Mythical Krakow—Childhood (1926–1939)

2. The Hell of Extermination—Youth, Part One (1939–1945)

3. The Aliyah Time—Youth, Part Two (1945–1954)

4. In the Land of Success—The Mature Age (1954–2019)

Conclusion

Afterword

Bibliography

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“This book about Marcel Goldman, written by Prof. Łukasz Tomasz Sroka, reveals to the reader a fascinating story of a man who experienced the horrors of the Holocaust, and despite the difficulties and barriers of culture and acclimatizing in Israel, succeeded on a personal and public level. Goldman has climbed to the high level of the State of Israel’s economy and has contributed greatly to this field. Alongside his professional success, Goldman established a home in Israel and a glorious family. I believe that this book will shed light on Marcel Goldman's life story and work as an example of willpower, determination, diligence, zest for life, and certainly a role model. A Man of Success in the Land of Success is an important contribution to research on personal stories about Jews from Krakow and at the same time sheds light on Krakow Jewry before, during, and after World War II.”

– Dr. Batya Brutin, Beit Berl Academic College, Israel

"This book by Łukasz Tomasz Sroka presents several interesting layers focused on Marcel Goldman, who becomes a case study for placing a biography within a wider historical context.

The book begins with the history of the Goldman’s family in pre-war Krakow presented against the backdrop of Polish-Jewish coexistence, and covers the time of the Holocaust and describes the complicated situation of those years, including the family’s escape from the Krakow ghetto in 1942. Goldman’s eventual fate in Israel, including his pioneering beginnings, adaptation, and professional successes, are then presented against the background of a fairly extensive history of Israel.

Łukasz T. Sroka is an outstanding specialist in the field of the history of Krakow Jews and the history of Israel, which is why he brilliantly inscribed Marcel Goldman in the fate of Jews in the twentieth century. The book can be a model and a point of reference for researchers who want to present a biography of Polish and Krakow Jews in connection with the history of Poland and Israel.”

– Michał Galas, Jagiellonian University