Most people do not generally think of Poland as a historically friendly country to Jews. However, in 1794 a cavalry unit of 500 Jews - the first wholly Jewish fighting force since Bar Kochba's army - joined the Poles under the leadership of Thaddeus Kosciuszko in an uprising against Russia.

As recounted in a recently published biography, Kosciuszko - an Enlightenment man who believed in the equality of all men - was delighted when Jews offered to form a cavalry division, which became known as the "bearded" army because of its soldiers' appearance.

Twenty years earlier in 1776, Kosciuszko's liberal ideas also inspired him to travel to America. With his military and engineering background, Kosciuszko helped design West Point (it was Kosciuszko's plans that Benedict Arnold tried to sell to the British) and devised the battle plan that led to the colonies' victory at the Battle of Saratoga, a turning point in the Revolutionary War.

Among Kosciuszko's American friends were George Washington (who spelled Kosciuszko's name 11 different ways in his personal correspondence), Thomas Jefferson, (who called Kosciuszko "the purest son of liberty I have ever known"), Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Paine.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Alex Storozynski recently spoke to The Jewish Press about his new book, The Peasant Prince: Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Age of Revolution.

Storozynski: Kosciuszko reached out to them. When he was sworn in as commander in chief, he mentioned the different ethnic groups that he wanted to be part of his uprising. And the first group he mentioned was the Jews.

In Krakow, he spoke to Rabbi David Hirsch Lewi and said, "Listen, I'm serious, this is a revolution for everyone, including the Jews." At first the Jews didn't know what to make of him, but then they realized that he was for real and that he really was a prince of tolerance who stood up for everyone. And so they started helping.

First they helped with funds, and then with soldiers. In some parts of Poland, as many as 20 percent of Kosciuszko's army was Jewish. Ambassadors from Austria and Sweden wrote to their respective kings that this is an unusual revolution because everyone is taking part - even the Jews.

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A merchant named Berek Joselewicz, whose primary business was selling horses, approached Kosciuszko and said, "How about if I start a cavalry?"

Kosciuszko was thrilled at the idea. In an article for the Government Gazette, Kosciuszko wrote: "Fearless Jesse, Abner, Joab and others terrified their enemies. Even Hebrew women set an example of courage and prowess for our era. Brave Deborah killed an enemy leader with her own hands. Thoughtful heroine, Judith, beheaded the chief of invaders."

Then Joselewicz wrote an article for the Government Gazette as well, in which he writes, "Listen, children of the tribes of Israel! Ye, who have in their heart implanted the image of God Almighty, all that are willing to help in the struggle for the fatherland, we people should act, the time has come to consecrate all of our strength .

"Awaken then like lions and leopards; with the help of God we'll swallow these conceited great ones."

Unfortunately Kosciuszko's forces and the Jewish cavalry were wiped out because they were attacked by the Russians, Prussians and Austrians all at once.

I think the situation in 1794 was much better. But throughout Polish history, although there was anti-Semitism, there was more philo-Semitism than anti-Semitism. If you look at Yad Vashem you'll see how many Poles risked their lives even in the darkest and most horrible chapter of history in Poland .

We also have to remember that Jews were not dragged to Poland on slave ships. They went there of their own free will. They created their own villages and kahals, and lived for the most part in peace for centuries. Their culture and religion flourished; Chassidism started in Poland.

Also, if you take a look at Polish history, every time Poland had freedom to elect its own leaders, the leaders chosen were extremely friendly to the Jews: Kosciuszko, Jan Sobieski, Jozef Pilsudski. The Jews called Pilsudski Uncle Joe; he had a very good relationship with the Jews and he is the most popular Pole of the 20th century, even more popular than Pope John Paul II - who himself was very friendly to the Jews.

So yes, there was anti-Semitism. But philo-Semitism was just as great - if not greater.

Those were horrible, horrible events. But I think those were exceptions, not the rule. Also, let's not forget that the Poles involved in the Kielce pogrom were prosecuted and received the death penalty. It was not tolerated.

The relationship between Poland and Israel today is very good. When Israel was attacked three summers ago, the Poles sent troops for the buffer zone.

Also, the current president of Poland has set aside land in the center of Warsaw and given millions of dollars for the creation of a Jewish museum. It will show the Holocaust, but it will also show the thousand-year history of Poland and what role Jews played in that history.

Because no one can pronounce the name and because he was this humble guy who didn't seek the limelight. Unfortunately too often our leaders make the whole battle about themselves. He didn't.