Rasza Sztutman

 Rasia/Rasza Sztutman passed away in November 1883. Her father was Josef/Josel. Thanks to collective work we were able to connect her tombstone with her death certificate from the Siedlce Archive.

Thank you!

Traces of the past

 There used to be a mikveh (religious bath) in this place. I heard rumors that the Germans killed Jewish policemen in this place during the war, but I have not found confirmation of this information in the archives. Today a new apartment block is being built here. 

Fewer and fewer traces of Sokołów's Jewish past.

Moszko-Symcha Sztutman

 Yesterday I was looking for the death certificate of Rasza - Josef's daughter, who died in 1885. It was her matzeva that someone had brought to the Jewish cemetery in Sokołów, and I wanted to find out what her last name was.

I didn't find her death certificate. But I found such a document. In 1947, Moszko-Symcha Sztutman changed his name to Szymon Sztucki. Moszko-Symcha was born on June 15, 1885. His parents were Abram-Lejb and Jenta nee Wiksman. In Sokołów, Moszko-Symcha lived at 18 Rogowska St.

I guess he wanted a more "Polish" surname after the war, but the name Szymon at the time was typically Jewish (today you will find a lot of non-Jewish boys with that name).

Do any of you know the background of this story?

Another pieces of the tombstones

 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!

The board of the Jewish community in Sokolow, Kosow and Sterdyn in 1918

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.

Merchant's Bank

 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.