A few months ago, I appealed to residents of Sokołów to bring pieces of matzevot they have to the Jewish cemetery. And they did it!
Another pieces of the tombstones are where they should be. Thank you to those who brought the matzevot! Thank you Joanna for the photos!
If you have this kind of stones at your home - bring them here. Thank you very much!
During World War I, the Germans were also stationed in Sokolow. Their rule of occupation was associated with high taxes and a lack of food among the population (food had to be donated to the army). On the other hand, the Germans allowed the founding of both Jewish and non-Jewish social organizations for the first time. In 1918, they organized elections to the board of the Jewish community in Sokolow, Kosow and Sterdyn.
In Sokolow, the following were elected to the board: Mozes Borychowski, Srul Henoch Schwarzwort, Mozes Lustigman, Hersz Towia Ber and their deputies: Alter Kafowy, Jakow Edelsztein, Rochmiel Rybak, Jakow Kiwajko.
In Kosow, the following were elected to the board: Sindel Lehrmann, Abram Zelaniec, Abram Mozesohn, Mozes Flamm and their deputies: Szlama Weisberg, Majer Rowiński, Izak Brzoza and Józef Kiczkowski.
In Sterdyn the following were elected to the board: Abram Wajngart, Chaskiel Srence, Berek Kotlarski, Judko Ceranko and their deputies: Abram Bromberg, Szlama Goldberg, Chune Radzyński, Icek Styczyński.
In 1925, the Merchant's Bank was established in Sokołów. The bank's Supervisory Board included: Chaim Noech Tuchlender, Hersz Fiszer, Hersz Zalcberg, Jankiel Edelsztajn, Fajwysz Librach, Lajbuś Rozenfeld, Hersz Safirsztejn, Szyja Goldrajch, Moszko Lustygman. Their deputies were: Ajzyk Mendel Sypicki, Abram Mydlarski, Moszko Perelsztejn, Moszko Zarębski, Abram Ajzenberg and Lejzor Hendel. The management board included: Moszko Morgensztern, Chaim Hersz Knorpel, Benjamin Rubinsztejn, Izrael Hersz Kajt, Abram Frejlich.
Janet Yellen, US secretary of treasury, visited Warsaw and Polin Museum today.
Thank you Moshe, Shoshi, Maayan, Noam, Bat-Ami for a great Sokolow meeting! See you next time!
More than one hundred years ago, just after World War I, a Jewish Elementary School Nr. 2 has been founded in Sokolow Podlaski. The school’s teaching was based upon an innovative Dalton’s educational system which encouraged pupils to seek solutions on their own, or with the help of their peers. The children themselves discovered principles and rules, something which in pre-google times must have been a real challenge. The pupils were successful, and the school was appreciated on national scale.
Izaak Trumper, the director, born in Narewka, brought up the children in the spirit of assimilation and strongly opposed Zionism. “For many years there was no one to teach Jewish history and religion. Finally, when they hired someone, the new teacher, Mosze Migdal, had nothing to say in the school” - recalled many years later one of the pupils.
Trumper was a Polish patriot, who spoke Polish, wrote in Polish and, quite obviously, tried hard to become a member of the Polish community which kept rejecting him. He led the Jewish schoolchildren to take part in patriotic celebrations in Sokolow, and pretended not to hear the abuse heaped upon them by Christian children.
Trumper’s educational successes displeased the local school inspector who wanted to close the school down. He even succeeded and had the school shut down for several months. Another teacher (a Christian) instigated high school students to beat Trumper up. This teacher was later sentenced to six weeks in prison.
Later, Trumper moved to Warsaw. He did not survive the war. Nowadays, there is no one in Sokolow who would remember Trumper. But the building which housed this modern and patriotic school still stands. Perhaps, inside, one can still hear the echoes of his teachings?
#YomhaShoah
