Irena Kirszenstein, a Jewish athlete from Poland, became the first Jewish competitor to win a silver medal at the Olympic Games. The 18-year-old athlete won a silver medal in the long jump. She was born in Leningrad when her parents were living there. Later the family returned to Poland, and settled in Warsaw.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
