Former Skinhead: 'It's Like I Was Born Again'

Continued from page 1

So, you were married before you found out?

Yes.

Was your wife also a skinhead?

Yes. It's a very hard story for both of us. It's like I was born again.

How is it possible to completely change your worldview from hating Jews to becoming an observant one yourself?

For me, it is too early to answer that question.

Is there a spiritual reason why you were a skinhead, but then found out you were a Jew? Was God trying to teach you something?

Well, I was asking myself why exactly and why exactly right now. But, I think that the souls of my ancestors woke up in me in this very time--in this specific time--because it was the best time to fix all that that I've done.

How do you reconcile your previous anti-Semitism with the fact that you are Jewish?

Right now, I'm trying to think what's in front of me and not think about the past. I want to see all the good things that are waiting and all the good things that I can see with my new life now.

Why did you decide to become Orthodox and not just live as a secular Jew?

I'm a very weird man and there is no medium for me. I'm an extreme man. So, I am trying to read more about the Jewish lifestyle, the rules, and the religion and this helps me become a better man.

Do you feel remorse for your anti-Semitism?

No, I don't feel guilty in any way. It is all better. I feel it's funny. It's like I'm laughing at myself a little bit.

Is there a part of you that hates yourself for being Jewish?

There used to be, but not any more. Life was easier before I became religious than it is right now. And maybe, that's why there is some anger behind it.

Did you feel that you needed to repent for your anti-Semitism at all?

When I was younger anti-Semitism in Poland wasn't as extreme as it is right now. The graffiti and all the other acts that I've done are not that extreme. I thank God that I discovered that I am Jewish before now because everything is very extreme in Poland in terms of Jews. It is a big issue and people are very aggressive.

Have you ever been the recipient of anti-Semitism?

A couple of times. Nothing extreme, just the usual.

What does that mean?

Just common. Nobody did anything, but they were yelling and threatening me. So, nothing big.

You used to be the one yelling and threatening. What was that like to be on the other side of it?

I was basically laughing at it because I felt like it's just lack of knowledge and stupidity. You cannot do anything else but laugh.

Do you think that there will ever be an end to hatred and anti-Semitism in Poland and worldwide?

It will never end. People need an enemy. It's in the mentality of every person. You just need an enemy. So, Jews, Arabs, and African Americans will always be the enemy because if you don't know them, it's a default that they can be your enemy.

Continued on page 3: 'It's more about agreeing to the road...' »