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Poland had lost its independence in 1795
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and wouldn't get it again until--
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with the Third Partition it wouldn't get it again until 1918.
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And they come to Paris carrying virtually nothing.
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There's one story about these Jews who carried an empty suitcase
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and they said, "Why are you carrying an empty suitcase
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when you're leaving Russia?"
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And they said, "Because it's too shameful to
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have nothing to carry.
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We want people to think that we have something."
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And they had nothing.
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And they get to Paris and some of the assimilated Jews said,