General information
Jewish community before 1989 – Organizations and associations
Polska / małopolskie
There were many Chasidim from Bobowa (the most), Bełżec, Radom and Załoszyce among the Jews living in Wadowice. As was mentioned earlier, they set up their own yeshiva and two houses of prayer, but also said their prayers in the Beit ha-Midrash and Langer synagogue.
The beginning of the Zionist movement dates back to the period of World War I. A number of Jewish soldiers, supporters of Zionism, served in the 20th regiment of Stanisławów Landwehr stationing in Wadowice. The Hashomer Hatzair organization, whose members, young students, met in private houses to study and promote Zionism and scouting, was formed on their initiative. By 1920, the organization had about 120 members who were successful in their work, since, as was mentioned by one of the female members of the movement, they managed to master in a short time the Hebrew language to the conversation level[1.1]. As the result of a denunciation about illegal activities, the Polish authorities brought a suit against the organization whose members started to meet secretly.
The older youth formed a German Zionist Organization. Drawing from the experience of their younger friends, its members rented premises on Tatrzańska Street and registered their activity with the county governor’s office. Every evening, papers and lectures were delivered and a drama group was successful in performing Shakespeare and Ibsen’s plays. This organization made the greatest contribution to the development of Wadowice Zionist movement.
The Mizrachi organization, with many Zionist supporters and a number of respected elderly citizens as its members, was set up in 1927 in Wadowice. Its numerous activists gathered Sunday evening in the People’s Bank (Bank Ludowy) on 3 Maja Street to hear speeches and lectures given by rabbis who came from other cities, which considerably expanded the knowledge they gained in a cheder.
A group called Hechaluc, which strived for Aliyah, was also called into being. When it turned out that Aliyah was impossible due to the lack of certificates, its program was changed towards Zionist education and preparation for emigration. The group and the Hashomer Hatzair united and after reorganization and receiving permission of the Lwów head office, the Jewish Scout Organization Hashomer Hatzair was established in Wadowice.
Moreover, there was an organization called Hanoar Hacijoni, which attracted those Zionist supporters who did not like the fact that the Hashomer Hatzair had left-wing background.
The Betar organization, whose members went through a military training, was established with a view to Aliyah and in the hope of a quick formation of Jewish army.
Among the more important Zionist organizations was the Wizo woman’s party with about 150 female members. Apart from its educational and cultural activities, the organization provided embroidery courses that were to serve as a professional preparation for girls.
Apart from the above-mentioned political organizations, there were other economic, social and charity institutions in Wadowice as well. In 1925, Bencyjon Ber and Kalman Proper opened a Cooperative Bank, at first situated on Kościuszki Street and then relocated to the premises on 3 Maja Street. In the course of time, it became a more serious institution whose clients were not only Jews from Wadowice and neighboring towns, but even Poles.
Developing rapidly, the Merchant Association protected merchants’ interests, while the Association of War Veterans took care of the Jewish veterans of World War I and a fair issuance of veteran licenses to sell tobacco and alcohol.
The most important charity organization was the Association of Women, which provided assistance to all poor people. The Bikur Cholim Association took care of the poor and sick people, paying for their treatments and medicines, which was very important given the fact that there was no Jewish doctor until 1916 in Wadowice, and the Jewish residents had to go to Kraków or seek medical advice from Christians. Poor students could count on the financial support of the Talmud Torah Society, which financed their studies.
Institutions that shaped the cultural life of the Wadowice Jewry were the Jewish People’s House, operating from 1926, Jewish Intelligentsia Club, established in 1936 and Jewish Library, formed on the initiative of the Zionists.
Show footnotes
Hide footnotes
[1.1] Weiner, Malka [in:] Księga pamiątkowa gmin żydowskich Wadowic, Andrychowa, Kalwarii i Myślenic, ed. D. Jakubowicz, Tel Aviv 1968, p. 33.
The Administrator has made all possible efforts to present the content accuratly and up-to-date in a way that does not infringe upon the rights of third parties, including copyrights, but cannot guarantee it. Therefore erroneous information on the website may not be the basis for claims. If you have any questions, please contact us at the following e-mail address: sztetl@jewishmuseum.org.pl
