History
Jewish community before 1989 – Polska / śląskie
The town of Sławków was owned by the Bishops of Kraków from the 13th to 18th century (until 1790) and for that reason Jews were banned from settling there. In spite of that, at the end of the 17th century a few Jews managed to settle down in Sławków; they leased mines and inns. The 1790 abolition of the limitations previously imposed on the Jewish settlement was an important moment in the history of the Kingdom of Poland. However, it did not encourage the Jewish settlement in Sławków .In 1820 only 20 Jews lived in Sławków. In 1826 some small tradesmen settled in the town. In 1838 Szlomo Szajn (died in 1919) opened a metal plant, which quickly became one of the biggest in Zagłębie.
In 1862 the tsar issued an edict on emancipation of Jews in the Russian Empire. In 1865 already 64 Jews lived in Sławków, making up 2.4% of all population. Booming local industry encouraged faster development of the town, where unemployed Jews started to migrate in large numbers. Initially Michał Zeitler, who was later succeeded by Schein brothers, was the owner of the wire factory. Until 1890 Jewish community grew to as many as 246 people, which constituted 7% of town’s population. They were subordinate to the Kehilla of Olkusz. Olkusz was also a place the Jewish community used to bury their dead. A synagogue was built in Sławków in 1896. In 1900 the Jewish community of Sławków numbered 714 persons. In 1904 a separate and independent Jewish community was established. Its first Rabbi was Szalom, Mosze Juda Zayonc's son. At the same time a Jewish cemetery was opened, and a funeral parlour Chevrah Kaddisha was established next to the cemetery. The Jewish library, where the Hebrew language courses, lectures and literary meetings were organized, was established in 1917.
During the interwar period, in 1921, the total of 610 Jews lived in Sławków, making up 16.3% of all population. Most of them worked as craftsmen and small tradesmen. As the years passed by, more and more Jews were hired in industry where they were paid by the day. At that time the a metal factory, established by Szlomo Szajn, employed ca. 1,200 workers, out of which some 300 were Jewish. 1927 Joint (The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC or Joint) created a charitable fund Kupat Gmilot Chassidim, which granted low-interest rate loans for the development of Jewish enterprises. In 1928 town authorities ordered to close five Jewish bakeries in Sławków, justifying this decision by their inadequate sanitary conditions. In 1930 and 1936 there were a few serious outbreaks of fire in Sławków, during which 10 Jewish families lost their houses. Additional difficulties connected with a financial crisis forced many Jews from Sławków to emigrate to the United States.
There were numerous social, cultural and political Jewish organizations in Sławków. Zionist organizations and political parties were especially active. Also a training camp for those willing to leave to Palestine was created. It was called the Hachshar "Ovadiya" training kibbutz (it belonged to Hashomer Hadati movement). Furthermore, there existed orthodox organizations in the town. Initially, there was only Agudat Israel party, but in 1929 Shomer Szabat Vedat society was established. Baruch Gad Heffner became a new rabbi in 1931. Szomo Pinchas Markus (died 1962) helped him.
In 1934 four Jews held seats on the Town Council. In 1939 there were about 960 Jews living in Sławków. Gutman Libermansz was the head of the Community Board.
During World War II, on September 4, 1939 Sławków was taken over by German forces. Many of the local Jews were trying to flee from Germans. After a few days, when some of them were trying to cross a destroyed bridge over the Biała Przemsza river in order to get to Sławków, from 5 to 7 September, 30 Jews (some of which were from Będzin and Sosnowiec) were murdered by Germans. Later the bodies were transported to the local Jewish cemetery [1.1]. The remaining 68 Jews who were executed in nearby Kozioł village. Their bodies were later thrown to an unused mining shaft. The synagogue was also profaned. There were numerous cases of plunder of Jewish property, battery and assault and foring Orthodox Jews to cut off their beards in public.
A few days later, the German military governor of the town demanded from the Jewish community a large ransom, which was paid when due. From November 1939 Jews were obliged to wear white armbands with the "Star of David” (later replaced with yellow stars sewn onto their clothes on their chests).
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[1.1] eds. Bolesław Ciepiela, Małgorzata Sromek, Śladami Żydów z Zagłębia Dąbrowskiego. Wspomnienia, Polish Authors Society, Będzin Division, Będzin 2009, p. 21.
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