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Goworowo was connected to the big world via two train stations along the Warsaw-Lomza line: Pasek and Goworowo, and also via three main roads which led towards Ostrow Mazowiecka, Rozan, and Ostroleka. The distance from Goworowo to Warsaw was 90 kilometers, and to Lomza 60 kilometers. The Hirsh River, a run-off from the Narew River, cut through the shtetl coming from the southern side and separated it from the village of Wolka (Wólka Brzezińsk), which also had Jewish residents.

The Szczawin estate was located at a distance of about 2 kilometers. It belonged to the wealthy nobleman, Glinko. North of the shtetl was the village Goworówek: not far from there was the Rembish estate, which was for a certain period of time was owned by the Jewish noblemen Stein and Fein who were from Jedwabne. Aside from the estates mentioned above, the shtetl was surrounded by the following estates: Zambrzyce, Ponivke, Brzeźno, Suchcice, Gucin, Czernie, Kruszewo, Jawory, Danilowo, Pakshevnitse, and others.

When you entered the shtetl on the main street and crossed the bridge you were greeted on the left side by the impressive, red brick prayer house. On the right side there was the two-story brick home of the pharmacist, Goszczyński, and the post office director, Rasul. In the neighboring large wooden building Reb Velvl Blumstein, the watchmaker, an energetic community leader, lived. He was a Gerer Hasid and member of the synagogue council. His wife Feige Nekhome, a pious woman, was famous in the shtetl for her intelligence and acumen. His neighbor, the tailor from Vengrov, Reb Velvl Vaysbord, drew everyone's attention with his broad build and patriarchal looks. His son Khone, who lives in Columbia today, was a founder of the Ze'irei Zion (Youth of Zion) organization. His other son, Avrom, who was active in the leftwing Poale Zion youth movement; was killed in the Warsaw ghetto. For many years, Reb Yoysef Velvl Gutman also lived there. He was a tinsmith, respected for his knowledge among the Gerer Hasidim. He lives in Israel today.

To the left side of the house was the home of Reb Baruch Kuperman, a synagogue council member and an activist/leader among the artisans. His wife Chana Ruchel distinguished herself through her pious deeds and anonymous charity. The bakery of Reb Yoyl Yelin was located in the next house. He was an Aleksander Hasid, a charitable man and hospitable person.

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His nephew, Yeshaye Rosenberg, who was considered his heir, lived and worked with him. In this small two-story home, Reb Menashe Holtsman had his colonial (food and other consumer goods) and paint store. He was among the most important bosses (bale batim) in the shtetl, a long term synagogue council member, a prayer leader, a peacemaker and an exemplary man.

The adjacent corner building which bordered Kościuszki Street, known as the “Wide Street“ belonged to the stringent Aleksander Hasid, a learned man, Reb Yoynesn Zilbertson from a respected Warsaw family. He ran an iron business. His son-in-law, Reb Yoysef Dovid Ostshover, a Hasidic young man, owned a grocery store.

In the next house on Kościuszki Street was the flour and fur store of Reb Yeshaye Ayznberg, a learned man, full of spirited witticism, the founder and protector of the Aleksander sect's location for communal prayers (shtibl). His house was open, a place where learned men gathered. On the other side of the house his father-in-law, Reb Nussan Mozes lived. He was among the heads of the shtetl's committee to insure that animals were slaughtered in accordance with the laws of Kashrut. Today he lives in the United States. His sons Moshe and Yankev were educated young men who had mastered the Lithuanian yeshivas.

Next to them lived Reb Efroyim Boynes, a blind man who went to the study house by himself every day and even prayed from memory on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur at the synagogue lectern. His son-in-law Fayvl Mal lives in the United States today. In the other half of the house, Reb Mordechai Gurka had a bakery. He was a learned man and a Gerer Hasid. His wife Dvora ran the bakery. The other neighbors were: Nekhamye Kas, a shoemaker at the marketplace, and the widow Chana Frydman, the mother of Lazar Frydman, who was the founder and supporter of the Peretz library. In some Christian buildings there were apartments of: Avrom Roznberg, a tailor whose brother Yankev Roznberg from Rozan was among the first Jews shot in Goworowo by the Germans, and also Anschel Engel, a saddler.

The little street which led down to the river was nameless. It started with the house of Reb Zaynvl Berliner, a shoemaker, and his son-in-law Reb Yisroel Leyb Kruk, a learned man and wonderful prayer leader. Next to his house was Noyekh Karvat, a baker, who today lives in Israel (his wife Miriam, the daugther of Reb Mordechai Gurka died in Russia), and Hersh Berliner, the owner of a machine for cleaning wool. Their neighbors were: the butcher Pinkhes Dende; the so called “cold glazier”, Mordechai Likhtman who owned a hand operated wringer for laundry and before Passover - a matzah bakery; Lazar Bielik, the shoemaker whose son, Tevye was a partisan during the war in the Polesia forests, and Dina Dende, the mother-in-law of Lazar Bielik.

On the other side of the street, the following people had apartments: Liberke Bresler and his son Yekl, a shoe maker, who now lives in Israel and Artshe Thservin, the baker, who also lives in Israel. Next to them lived: Berl Tsirman, a teacher of young children,

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and his daughter Brayne with her husband Avrom Skshinia, a market shoe maker from Makov.

In the neighboring small, caved-in house lived Avrom Yekl Shifer, the sign maker together with his daughter Chana whose husband was abroad every year: from there he sent her the first gramophone in the shtetl which impressed everyone. Across from them lived Bendet, the tailor from the Szczawin estate and his son Alter who was known as an “enlightened” Jew and poet, who has lived in Lodz the last few years.

The corner house on the Wide Street was owned by Reb Fayvl Brik, a shoemaker by trade, one of the most important men in the shtetl; even though he eschewed giving honors in the study house, he was always elected as gabbai (one who assists with the reading of the Torah) at the study house and vice-president of the burial society. During the last years he dedicated one of his rooms to hosting guests. His wife Esther Rivka also distinguished herself with good deeds.

The neighboring, nicely built house was the Rabbi's house. There, in a comfortable spacious apartment the Goworowo rabbi lived for the last 12 years. This was Rabbi Alter Burstein, may G-d avenge him. This house was the central focus of societal Jewish life in the shtetl. In the Rabbinic court, community meetings were held, conferences and all kinds of other community gatherings. From the Rabbi's house a narrow path led to the city's ritual bath and sauna.

The city's wealthy residents the brothers-in-law Reb Itzhok Kasavski and Reb Matisyahu Rozen lived in the neighboring two-story house. These brothers-in-law who were in the wood business were among the most well respected businessmen in the shtetl. They were active in village society: Kosovski was a co-founder and activist of the credit bank for merchants, named Bank Zydowski Kredytowy, his son, Chaim was a student at the yeshiva in Lomza; and Rozen, an Aleksander Hasid was a manager, for many years, at the burial society. For many years their business partner was Dovid Segal who also lived there. His wife, Yehudis, co-founded in 1917 the Zionist organization in the shtetl. Their son, Khonen studied at the Polish gymnasium in Ostroleka. Today he lives in the United States. The last years Hershl Krulevitsh, a mechanic and scoffer and Leybl Kapesh, a wheat merchant lived in that building. Today they both live in the United States.

The other neighbor was Reb Yeshaye Hertsberg, wheat merchant, a Gerer Hasid who was a religious fanatic. His daughter, Miryem Ruchel, was the president of the Bnos Agudat Israel and among the principals of the Beit Yaakov School. For many years, Reb Moshe Mendl Farbarovitsh, an Otvotsker Hasid, also lived there. He greatly entertained people at celebrations, especially during the holidays. In the last years, he moved to Wolomin.

The following house belonged to Reb Leybke Schmeltz the bathhouse attendant who was a devout Jew and Aleksander Hasid. His son-in-law, Motl Ikultshik was a tailor. In the last front facing house on this side of the Wide Street lived Reb Shloyme Shtern, a learned Jew; his son Mendl studied in the yeshiva in Novaredok for many years, as well as being the head of a yeshiva for many years. He was known as one of the so-called ba'alei musar (a religious movement based on introspection). In the back

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part of the house lived Chaim Oyslender, the broker, and Reuven Barnshteyn, a shoemaker.

Towards the river lived the carpenter from Wolomin, Yankev Kersh. His son Leyb was one of the founders and leaders of the Bund in the shtetl and later was among the prominent leaders of Poland's Bund where he was the leader of the youth movement. He distinguished himself with his strength as a speaker and his sharp pen. He was murdered as a hero in the Warsaw Ghetto. The brothers Peysekh and Yoyne Kersh lived in Wolomin a few years before the war; the latter lives in Israel today. Right at the river lived Esther Malke Bengelsdorf, a fruit seller and her daughter Chaya Razal with her husband Meyer.

The other side of Kościuszki Street starts with the corner house of Reb Menashe Fish, a wheelwright. In the back part of the house lived Avrom Bresler and Moyshe Kalmen Shpitolevitsh, both shoemakers. After the house of the Christian meat merchant Felix Duro, who felt at home with his Jewish neighbors, lived the brothers Velvl and Leybl Taus, market merchants, and across from them lived Mendl Chaim Rubin, a shoemaker who raised a dairy cow for additional income. Meyer Shvarts, a shoe maker, lived in a front facing house and in the back, his tenants Rivke (Ferls) Shpitolevitsh and Brayne Roznberg who together ran a fruit stall in the street market.

In the neighboring house lived Chaim Taytlboym, a saddler. The street next to his house led to a big passageway court where the following people lived - Reb Chaim Leyb Leybman, a stringent Gerer Hasid, a small seller of farm products, his wife Chana Yite had a street stall; Avroml Taytlboym, a coachman; Avrom Ruzhe, a shipping agent, and Khone Alek, a butcher. Next to them lived Reb Chaim Berliner, a shoemaker, a good-natured man who for many years he was the village magistrate. His son Leybl was the first victim of the German bombardment. In the second half of the house lived his father, Reb Yisroel Shabatai, also a shoemaker. There also lived Reb Shloyme Leyb Shakhter, of the Otvotsker Hasidim, a lover of Torah, a wheat merchant and wine producer; Noyekh Tshervin, a butcher who lives in the United States today.

A little further lived Reb Mordechai Trushkevitsh, the sexton in the prayer house. He was a learned man who knew entire tractates of the Talmud by heart. He would always sit and study a holy book. He was shot by the Germans soon after the first day of their invasion of the shtetl. His son-in-law was Mordechai Solka, a shoemaker, a good tradesman and knowledgeable in Jewish books who lives in Israel today. In the rest of the front part of the house lived Reb Yisroel Meyer Mishnayes, wheat merchant, a learned man who was a fervent follower of the Enlightenment, a dandy, member of the important Mizrahi movement (religious movement within the World Zionist Organization) His son Matisyahu was a well-known young man, co-founder of Beitar, who lives in Uruguay today. Next to them lived Yosel Engler, a saddler by trade and his grandson Nakhmen Taytlboym, a tailor.

In the next brick house lived Chaim Tsimerman, a good men's

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and women's tailor, from Pultusk; Moshe Kopetsh, a wheat merchant who lives in the United States today; Getsel Kersh, a carpenter, and others. There also lives Moshe Taytlboym, a saddler and horse merchant; his son Shimen, one of three triplets who lived in yeshivas for many years and died as a young man shortly before the war; his other son Hershel was sentenced for being a Communist and died in Russia.

Their neighbor was Chana Levin with her children. They later moved to be with her husband and father, Reb Avrom Levin in Cuba. Today they live in Israel. Next to them lived Chaim Frid who owned a colonial store who lives in Israel today. And Tsipore Zilbershteyn, whose husband Avrom Dovid left for America after their wedding. Later Sholem Fraske, a cattle merchant, moved in. The neighboring two-story house was owned by Itzhok Tsirman who returned from the United States. His daughter Feige also lived in an apartment. She was married to Leybl Makover. His tenants were Yantshe Fishman, a butcher, Yekl Zhelozni, a saddler, lives in Israel today; Feige Yente Daytsh and Avrom Meyer Schmeltz, a tailor. On the top floor was the local headquarters of the Za'irei Agudas Yisroel. For many years the rabbi's son-in-law Rabbi Arn Taytlboym also lived there. He later became the rebbe in Vurker-Narazhin.

In the neighboring brick building there was a restaurant and liquor store operated by Yekhazkl Khen from Sniadow. He was a learned Jew and a good leader of prayers. His neighbors were the owner of the building, Alte Tsveybak and her son Hershel, who also had a large tailor shop there. Next to them, in a separate house, lived Reb Avremele Grudko, a learned Jew with a sharp mind, a teacher of older boys; his son Dovid Arn, a merchant and co-owner of the first passenger bus from Goworowo to Warsaw. He was co-founder of the Zionist organization as well as, for a short time, a member of the community council. His other son Yehuda Grudko, a baker, and Yisroel Bielik, a shoe maker also lived there. The latter two live in Israel today. At the top was the local headquarters of the Mizrahi party. Nosen Mankete had his colonial store there. He was a Gerer Hasid who often sat at the rebbe's table. The neighboring house belonged to Malke Vishnia, she died a few years ago in Israel; the last years there, her second husband Chaim Batshan also lived there. He worked in accounts receivable and accounting at the Artisans and Retailers Bank.

In the two-story corner house where Kościuszki Street ended and Long Street began lived Rabbi Reb Naftuli Gemore, a Gerer Hasid and a teacher of Torah. Today he is a Rabbi in Haifa. His neighbors were Moshe Shpitalovitsh who worked in a mill and Zelig the shoe maker from Czerwin, the son-in-law of Fraske. Next to them was Leye Govoritshik's colonial store. She lived with her son-in-law Dovid Shulman, a Hasidic young man who was a bulk merchant. In a separate house in the courtyard Reb Bertshe Granat had a tailor shop. He was a modern tailor, a man with a stately appearance who died a few years ago

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in Israel. His apartment was later taken over by Reb Berish Barnshteyn, a shoe-leather worker. His son Simkhe was studying in yeshivas in Warsaw. Also living in the same courtyard were Klara Niks with her sons and Avrom Klas whose half-paralyzed son Shloyme was a volunteer assistant to the Polish post man. Even though he was illiterate, he would look at the letters and, with a special sense, recognize to whom they belonged.

Further on the front side of the street Moshe Potash had a small soda and sausage factory with a candy store. Next to him lived Reb Nosen Shran, a grand wheat merchant who lives in Israel today. On the top lived Itzhok Dovid Tehilim who also lives in Israel today and Yekl Dovid Nayman's daughter, Tsirl Kleyn with her husband. In the second half of the top floor was the Bund and Peretz libraries.

Then there were the houses of Reb Chaim Boruch Shakhter, a shipping agent, and an Otvotsker Hasid; Reb Velvl Yagodnik, a good-natured and lovely man, who taught Talmud and was a meged (wandering preacher whose sermons contained both religious and moral instruction); his grandson, the son-in-law of his daughter Nekhome, is Rabbi Bagard, the chief Rabbi in Beit She'an. Velvl Yagodnik and his wife were among the first victims shot by the Germans.

In the courtyard Lazar Korn from Kremenchuk also had his apartment. He also was among the first victims shot to death. His daughter Leye died in Israel. His neighbor Reb Chaim Itche Hetsran was a learned Jew who knew tractates of Talmud by heart. His sons, Yekhielke and Bertshe left for Russia and took high offices there. The neighbors were Chaim Niedzhvitski, an Otvotsker Hasid, wheat merchant; Yoysefke Barnshteyn with his spice store; his son Peysekh and Dovid Glogover, a tailor.

The corner house bordering Bankove Street was owned by Reb Yankev Shtshetshina, a Gerer Hasid, teacher, leader of prayers, wise man and popular arbitrator in the shtetl. Then there is the house of Reb Moshe Zindl, a furrier and his sons-in-law, Reb Naftule Tsimberg, a tailor who lives in Israel today and Nisn Frid, a shoemaker.

Next to them lived Reb Yeshave Nosn Kruk, a teacher who also owned a dye factory. His daughter, Zayftl, a widow who later married Hersh Berliner, his son, Menachem Kruk, a tailor also lived there. In the large courtyard stood the grain mill building of Reb Avrom Kruk next to the house in which he lived. His neighbor was Dan Dshiza, a peddler, the son-in-law of Brik and Mrs. Chava Sura Sarne, the widow of Reb Yeshaye Yom Tov Sarne of the Amshinaver Hasidim. Across from them was the building in which Reb Yekhezkl Tshekhanover used to have his brick and roof tile business. Later the building served as a garage for the first passenger bus in Goworowo. The last house belonged to Reb Hershl Brik, a shoemaker, the brother of Fayvl Brik.

The other residents of Bankove Street were Shloyme Dzhize, a business partner in Kruk's grain mill, the son of Shmuelke Dzhize; Yankev Gurko, a baker who lives in Israel today; Velvl Doytsh, the coachman who caused a stir in the

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shtetl with the first coach using rubber wheels; Moshe Alek, a butcher and Reb Hershl Rubin, a candy maker and cookie baker, a Gerer Hasid and cofounder of the Beit Yaakov school, who was burnt by the Germans with a Torah in his hands in Wyszkow. In the courtyard lived Esther Fraske, the widow of Reb Chaim Leyb, a butcher. He was a nice and happy type of person, a strong man, killed by a Christian in the forest near Dlugosiodlo. Their neighbors were his son Sholem, also a butcher who lives in the United States today; Sura Gitl Brik, the widow of Velvl Brik whose son lives in the United States now and a daughter who lives in Israel; Yisroel Levkovitsh from a village called Baraves; and Ansel Zimon in whose new house the Poale Zion (right wing) organization and library named after Y.H. Brenner was located. A little further lived Leyb Tshervin, a butcher; Yekl Gurman, a coachman the brother of Mikhl from Beyger; Hersh Itzhok Malavoni, a teacher with his mother-in-law; and Yekl Schmeltz, a butcher.

To the right of Bankove Street was a side street that bordered on Bobovskis field, the so called Mud Street. There lived Ayzik Roytman, the coachman, his son-in-law Yosl Ogrodnik, also a coachman with his elegant coach; his son Leybl Roytman, Yekl Taus' son-in-law who together with the Christian, Sabotko brought the first truck to the shtetl and drove it – today he lives in Uruguay.

On the other side of Bankove Street lived Mordechai and Baske Alek. He was a butcher. Both died in Israel. In the courtyard was the house of Reb Yovel Levkovitsh, a peddler. He was an interesting man with a stately appearance, a learned man, leader of prayers, and a tall broad shouldered, strong man. Whenever he had free time, in the middle of the week and during the Sabbath, he would always sit with a holy book in the study house. He died in Israel. The neighbors were Reb Shloyme Gordon, a Vurker Hasid, master builder of wooden buildings; Arn Yankev Zilber, a shoemaker for special elegant work; Sura Fraske, a widow who made a living whitewashing houses; Yehoshua Taus (Kavner) who returned from the United States; and Leybl Gure who had his own carpentry shop there – he died in Israel. Next to Yekl Alek, a butcher lived Reb Yankev Shprintses, a teacher of young children and synagogue sexton. Next to him was Reb Shloyme Chaim Tsimbal, Meyerl's son-in-law, synagogue sexton and gravedigger as well as Reb Abbale Podgurevitsh, a teacher of the Torah, shofar blower in the Gerer study house. He was a small, lively, and happy Jew who would always entertain the audience on Simchat Torah.

Next stood the separate building of the Merchants' Bank and in the next building lived Yekl Taus, a coachman. In the courtyard the following people had their apartments – Reb Yehoshue Molovani, the teacher and Mrs. Elke Shapiro, the widow of the rabbi from Tsherniv, Rabbi Reb Fishl Shapiro, in memory of the righteous.

In a nice brick building lived Reb Meyer Volf Tehilim, a big merchant

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and renowned wise man. Many Jews in the shtetl would come to him and ask advice regarding private and business matters. His courtyard was full of building materials and coal for burning. His neighbors were Berl Visotski, a wheat and fur merchant; Sikhe Taykhman, a shoemaker; his son-in-law, Leybl Sandale; Arn Shloyme Schmeltz, a butcher; Itzhok Azdaba, the son of Reb Dovid Azdaba, both smiths. Across from them lived his brother, Reb Kalman Azdaba, also a smith who married his daughter to a learned young man from Warsaw, Reb Fayvl Lubelski, a certified teacher who lived on the top floor. Next to them lived Shmuel Dzhize, a shoemaker and frequent visitor at the courthouse. He loved to get mixed up in quarrels between Jews and Christians. Also, Reg Hershl Glogover, among the respectable Jews in the shtetl, a Vurker Hasid, musician and good Talmudic teacher; his son, Itshe Glogover, a wheat merchant who lives in Israel today; and Hersh Berl, the shoe leather worker, the son of Mendl Melamed lived there.

In the front lived Hersh Brik's son, a tailor. Next to Alte “the Carpentress” lived Reb Yisroel Itzhok Shran, a Gerer Hasid who was among the zealots in the shtetl, a butcher whose customers were the most strict in observance of Kosher laws; his son Dan Shran who worked at Galant's soda water factory; Reb Ben Tsien Sandale, a merchant of whatever was on hand, Gerer Hasid and leader of prayers; his son Yossl survived the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Dachau who lives today in the United States; and Lazar Barnkevitsh, a shoemaker.

The second house on the corner of Bankove and Long Streets belonged to Reb Yekl Alevorzh, a shoemaker; his brother Reb Hersh who spent many years in prayer, penance and fasts who later became the Zamoshtsher Rebbe in Lublin. Because he served many years in Czar Nicholas' army, he took particular pity on Jewish soldiers. He would read Torah for the common people and lead them on the path of Yiddishkayt (Jewishness). He died before the war and his son, Reb Meyer took over the dynasty. In the second house lived Reb Itzhok Reytshik, known under the name Itsele Reytshik, a Gerer Hasid and learned man. He had a textile factory all these years and at the end was also a teacher. Next to him lived Yitke Gurman, a hatmaker; Mikhl Gurman, from Beyger and in the courtyard, Yisroel Arn Shults, a glazier; Moshe Brakhonski, a low boot shoe leather worker; and Lazar Vaknyazh, a peddler. In the neighboring apartments were Reb Yoysef Batshan, the grandson of the old Rabbi, a learned man and teacher, his wife and children. Today they live in Israel.

The new building in the front belonged to the important men – Reb Zalmen Verman, an Aleksander Hasid, textile merchant who had studious sons and Reb Pinkhes Shikara, an iron merchant whose son Aviezer was among the founders of the Beitar. At the top, above Shikara lived Moshe Dovid Malavoni, co-owner of the small mill. Today he lives in Israel. In the little house next to him lived Yehude Leybl Kas, the shoemaker. Further along

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Long Street lived Shashke Gitl Alakevitsh who traded in fish. Her children lived in the United States. Dovid Shvarts, a shoemaker also lived there. Next to them lived Reb Hershl Dovid Zilberberg, a setter of cobblestones, one among a few Jews who could pave roads and avenues. He was an Otvotsker Hasid and a leader of prayers.

The next house which stood on the corner of Ostrolenko Street belonged to the Goworowo cantor /slaughterer, Reb Chaim Leyb Marianski. He came from Sniadowe, was the town cantor, a Gerer Hasid and prayed in the big study house. Together with him lived his son-in-law, Reb Yisroel Itzhok Bramberg, a young man, very learned who studied to become a slaughterer. The cantor had two other sons, Moshe and Shloymke, a Yeshiva student. The whole family died in Zembrów. In the next house on Ostrolenko Street lived Yudl Kakhan, the son-in-law of Reb Leybele Reyder, a smith. In the second half lived Leybl Brik, a tailor and Yekl Kakhan, a milk delivery man who would pick up at the noble men's courts and deliver them to Warsaw. He also had a grocery store.

In the same row of houses there was also the one of Reb Yekl Malavoni, a smith and his son-in-law, Arn Aronson, a teacher and preacher – author of a holy book. Reb Arn would drive around the country giving sermons and tell nice little stories and fables. When he would return to the shtetl, he would have much news to tell of his travels. His older son, Eliezer is in Argentina now. His younger son, Mordechai was a Yeshiva student and very learned. His son-in-law Hershl Sandale also lived there. He was a tailor.

After several Christian houses stood the last Jewish house belonging to Bendet Viroslav, a wheelwright. From the Ostolenko Street, there was a path down to the Glinkes, there was the mill of Reb Arnke Malavoni and the city's slaughterhouse. Before the World War I, there was also the city bath and mikvah there. From Ostrolenko Street a wide street lead to the Goworowo train station and the villages of Goworowek, Rebisze, and others as well as to Ostrolenka through the village Borowce. These streets served the Goworowo youth as a meeting point and a walking path, especially on the Sabbath afternoons and in the evenings for lovers.

On the other side of Ostrolenko Street there were no Jewish homes. There was the city public school, the local city council buildings, the so-called administrative offices and the prison where the rebellious Goworowo population were imprisoned for administrative crimes. Next to those was the house owned by a Christian, Virembek where, for many years,

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the local Zionist organization, Ha'Techiya and its library were located. Then there are Jewish houses again. In a nice brick building that was exactly across from the Long Street lived Feige Rivke Gutman, owner of a grocery store whose husband Reb Volf Gutman was a well-known Gerer Hasid and respected Jew called the Rebbe. Also there were Reb Gedalive Grinberg, boss of a big bakery who was an enlightened Gerer Hasid; his wife Chana lives in Israel and his two sons, in the United States. At the top lived Matisyahu Frid, a wheelwright.

In the neighboring big courtyard there were several big houses which belonged to Reb Yosl Verman, from Zilar and his family. Reb Yosl, a rope maker and fish merchant, was among the powerful men in the shtetl. For a long time he was the manager of the synagogue. He was short, known as a busy body with a resounding squeaky voice. He scared all those who were praying. His son, Shapse Verman owned a wood warehouse and was very active among the merchants being an important member of the Mizrahi party. His son-in-law, Reb Sholem Pltake from Rozan was a Gerer Hasid and a founder of the Artisans' Bank that was located in the courtyard. Reb Yosl also had his daughter Tsirl Leye and her husband, who helped his father-in-law make rope, live with him.

In one of Reb Yosl's small houses there was also the first Yiddish school with its founder, the teacher Alter Hokhshteyn (together with Motl Ramaner). Hokhshteyn came from Luninets and made his way to Goworowo after World War I. He thought of himself as a real intellect, a tall, fat man, intensely balding and always with smiling eyes. He very much enjoyed working with children, pinching their cheeks and petting their heads. His clients were mostly girls, female students and boys. In particular he taught written Hebrew and Yiddish, math, and calligraphy. There was a religious teacher in the city's public school. He loved celebrations full of effects. On Lag Ba'Omer he would take a walk with all the children in the forest. They were all decorated in blue/white paper streamers and he sang with them ÒEli EliÓ. He also had a hobby of reading cards – telling fortunes.

To the left, deep into the courtyard was a house and grain mill of Reb Yankev Hersh Vengrov and his son-in-law Reb Moshe Kasher, the last president of the Goworowo Jewish community. This house with its wide footprint and size was impressive. Reb Yankev Hersh was far from a wealthy man. The two blind horses that pulled the massive and heavy mill wheel could not earn him a living. Reb Yankev Hersh was a typical Hasid from the Amshiniaver school – always in a good mood. Happy, loved to drink a bit of alcohol and entertain his fellow Jews.

Next to his house was the small, low, half sunken house of Reb Abale Likhtman, a glazier and coachman on the Goworowo – Rozan line. He was a real happy poor man. His half dead mare only walked at speed when he sang her Lecha Dodi or another prayer. His neighbors

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were Reb Avzik Rozen, an honest and kosher butcher. After the war he left for Canada to be with his son, Khone Meyer and died there. His brother-in-law, Bendet Shetsekh, the wheelwright who returned in the 1920s from the United States and brought with him the American manners. Reb Betsalel Yosef Kavrat, a learned and wise Jew, a good Talmudic teacher who was shot by the Germans immediately on their first invasion of the shtetl also lived there.

The corner house on the other side of Long Street belonged to Reb Bertshe Viroslav, a wheat merchant who was among the cheerful Aleksander Hasidim. He never earned enough to make a living and loved Kiddush and the meal after the Sabbath (considered the fourth meal of the day). His daughter, Tsipe and her husband, Simkhe, the wood turner along with their children were killed by the Germans on the first day of the invasion of the shtetl. His son, Itzhok was among the fanatical activists in the Zionist Socialists who died in the Bialystok ghetto.

Next to them lived Reb Shmuel Krvietski, a shoemaker whose son, Yekhezkl died during the Bolshevik invasion in 1921. His other son, Baruch, a hair dresser, lives in the United States today.

In a large two-story building lived Reb Yehoshua Rozen, a synagogue council member for many years and considered an influential person. He was active among the artisans and their bank. He died not too long ago in Israel. His sons-in-law, Reb Meshulem Golovinski of Rozan, a learned man had an oil pressing factory in the courtyard and Matisyhau Oyslender, a wheat merchant and milk delivery man are both in Israel now. Another two sons-in-law, Shloyme Gerbard, grandson of the Vishkover rebbe was a yeshiva student in Kletsk and Barzilai from Ostrow were killed in the war years.

There was another house where Reb Itche Yosel Taus, the gravedigger lived with his wife, Devora. He was a leader of the burial society along with his son-in-law, Lazar Frydman, a baker. A little further, where the street bordered Ratenski's fruit garden, lived Reb Sholem Greyner, a locksmith who with his three sons are today in Israel. Next to them lived Yekl Markus, a peddler.

At the front, in a brick building, lived Reb Avrom Luzim, a smith who raised cows and sold their milk for additional income. Thanks to his efforts with his relative Sura Gitl Klass in the United States, she sent large sums of money which allowed the building of the new big synagogue. On the eastern wall of the synagogue, a special plaque was hung in her honor. His neighbors were Hershl Alek, a butcher who lives in the United States and Lipman Drevienko, a peddler.

Nest to them, at the front, lived the widow of the shoemaker, Blum, who died in America (at the time Hilda Blum was living in Goworowo, she was not a widow. Shalom Joseph Blum had immigrated to the United States in 1923. She followed with the minor children in 1930. Shalom Joseph died in Fort Worth, Texas on May 7, 1959). Her son-in-law, Anschel Taus, a first rate shoemaker, quiet and intelligent person died in a German concentration camp next to Lublin.

Further lived Moshe Horovits, a baker who was among the respected leaders of the Bund and later a council member of the synagogue in the community and Naftule Schmeltz, a butcher who today lives in Israel.

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A brick building, in the style of the big city, was built by Avrom Kruk, the former village magistrate. His wife Tslave was among the first victims shot by the Germans. The Beitar organization was located in his house for many years and for a while there was also a Talmud Torah founded by the Rabbi to take the children out of the Christian public school. There also lived Yekl Zhelozni, a saddler who lives in Israel today and Tsalke Azdaba who had a grocery story. Along with his wife Henie, he lives in Israel today. In the neighboring apartments lived Shimen Vaser, a wood turner; the wheelwright, Reb Leybl Karlinski, a Gerer Hasid whose three sons and one daughter were killed by the Germans with one daughter who lives in Israel; and Avzik Rubin, the butcher. They all lived in the house of Reb Yankev Shapse Trukhnavski and his son-in-law Reb Avrom Shafran. Reb Avrom was among the respected men in the shtetl, an Otwocker Hasid, learned, wise, and intelligent man. He had a colonial store which was among the biggest in Goworowo. His son Simkhe Bunem studied in the Lomza Yeshiva in his younger years and with the Rabbi. Later he was the leader of the Socialist Zionist movement in the shtetl. He married Neta Rits's only daughter and became a business partner in the big mill. Afterwards he left for Wolomin where he died. Reb Avrom's two other sons, Moshe and Dovid were killed by the Germans. His first born, Binyumen and Mendel, as well as Itche, a student at the Lomza Yeshiva, a pedagogue and leader of the Beit Yaakov School live in the United States today. His daughter, Rivke, her husband Shmuel Roznberg as well as his son Yisrolke, a tailor who was among the Bund activists in the shtetl live in Canada.

In a small house lived Mordechai Sierota a tailor from Makov, the son-in-law of Avrom, the synagogue sexton. He bought this house from Shmuel Volf Broyner, a soldier in the Polish army who made his way to Goworowo after World War I to save the local train bridge and later married the daughter of Yekl Grinshteyn, the locksmith. Broyner's house was a meeting point for the shtetl youth where they listened to gramophone records and folk songs. He died several years ago in the United States.

Next to him lived Reb Chaim Dovid Shran, an Otvotsker Hasid, a wheat merchant who along with his wife, Chaye Beyle were killed by the Germans in their house on the sad Friday evening. The old couple Yoske and Ruchel Shmuelke who were well respected on the nobelmen's estates, lived in the same house. In the other house lived the shoe leather worker, Yekhazkl Mendl Zamelzon. Next to him lived his father Reb Yisroel Eliezer Zamelzon, a leather merchant, strictly observant Jew always well dressed with a well-groomed beard and a gold chain shining from his vest. Reb Yisroel Eliezer's second son, Yudl was off with the Bolsheviks in Russia at the time and was killed there during the ÒcleansingÓ of 1937. His son Yankev lives in Argentina today. In the same house lived his son-in-law, Itzhok Sniadover who returned

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to the shtetl from Argentina shortly before the war and died there. Their neighbors were Reb Yakev Leyb Aleyorzh, a shoemaker – relative of the Rebbe from Zamoshtsh and in the front lived Reb Yehoshue Yekhiel Nayman, an Aleksander Hasid, the so called shaye khil with the bill Despite his small, wiry body, he had a healthy, nice voice and was a respected leader of prayers in the Aleksander prayer house. From trading with the noblemen's estates he made a lot of money which later he suddenly lost it all. His son, Leybl was an actor in the Warsaw Yiddish theater. His son-in-law, Yidl Gurfinkl, a watchmaker, was a homebody who did not earn much. Yidl's two children, a boy and a girl, managed to hide in a village somewhere behind Zembrow until 1944 and were later killed by Poles.

Deeper in the courtyard lived Reb Avrom Potash, the rope maker, his two daughters both educated in the Beit Yaakov School married in Israel Rabbis from South Africa and America. At the front, in a nice house, lived Reb Yisroel Shvarts, a wealthy tailor of old clothes and Mikhl (Max) Schmeltz who later died in the United States. His children live in America and Brazil today. Reb Mordechai Schmeltz, the butcher built a nice brick house where his apartment and shop were at the bottom and at the top lived Zelig Hertsberg, Reb Baruch Kuperman's son-in-law, a wheat merchant. Next to them, Reb Chaim Horovits an activist in the Mizrahi party had his grocery store and sold milk.

The corner house that bordered on the market was owned by Reb Yehuda Sheynyak, a textile merchant. He was among the stringent Gerer Hasidim and among the good prayer leaders. He was also occupied with community matters. His son, Chaim died during a German bombardment in the shtetl of Serock. In a neighboring two-story building Reb Shmuelke Tsudiker had his apartment and oil pressing shop. He was an enlightened Aleksander Hasid, among the Mizrahi activists and a synagogue council member. The neighboring house belonged to Reb Shoyel Potash, a Vurker Hasis who had a kosher restaurant. His daughter, Brayne had a big haberdashery and confectionary store there. Later Yisroel Hersh Yablanko lived there. He was a wealthy wheat merchant who with his wife and children live in Israel today.

In a large two-story family home lived the family of Reb Yankev Berl Blumshteyn with his son-in-law, Reb Zelig Papiertshik and his two sons, Reb Yekhiel Meyer and Reb Gershn. Reb Yankev Berl's home had a reputation of Torah and greatness in one place. He was among the elite Vurker/Skernievitser Hasidim and raised his sons that way. His respected sons-in-law, Yekhiel Meyer had a leather store and Gershn was a wheat merchant. Reb Zelig Papiertshik had a textile store and traded with noblemen. Today he lives with his family in Israel. He is active in society and leads the Yeshivat Atarat

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Zkenim in Yad Eliyahu and is related to the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yehud Iser Unterman, may he have a long life, Amen.

In the courtyard lived the Tinsmithess, Chaye Zelde Klempner who as charity all these years, supported the shtetl's water carrier, Shloymo Akiva Beserman. Shloymo Akiva was not of sound mind since childhood but he was popular with everyone. He was always in a good mood, happy, a melody on his lips and distinguished himself with a wonderful memory. He was musically talented and a grand eater. There was not a single event in town where Shloymo Akiva did not attend and helped prepare but, at the same time, you had to watch his hand or he would eat up a big portion of the prepared dishes.

At the front, in a brick building lived Reb Avrom Itzhok Galant, the so called Kvosknik (came from Kvas). He was well respected in town and among the enlightened Aleksander Hasidim. He had a popular candy store and sausage and soda water factory with was a popular meeting place for the youth where they would get together over a glass of beer and a sweet bite. There was a lot going on Friday and Saturday evenings there when Reb Avrom Itzhok would trustfully extend credit to everyone. His son, Moshe, a yeshiva student, was tortured by the Germans in Ostrow and his daughter, Rivke is said to have been in Russia having reached a high officer rank in the Red Army. At the top lived Irl Apelboym, a good women's tailor who immigrated to Israel after the war and died there. His wife and two children live in Israel today. His youngest son, Mordechai was killed by the Germans. In another small house lived Reb Avrom Kiris, a shoemaker as well as his son, Itche Velvl, also a shoemaker. Today he lives in Israel. Next to them lived Yosl Zilbershteyn, a hairdresser.

After Ratenski, the Christian butcher, stood the house of Reb Dovid Dranitsa, a tailor and his son-in-law, Reb Noske Kan, who traded in fish. For several years he was the village magistrate. He lives today in the United States. In the courtyard stood the house of Reb Moshe Dranitsa, a merchant, president of the Zionist organization and synagogue council member. Today he is the head of the religious council in Bet She'an, Israel. In the same courtyard there was also a big wooden barrack that belonged to Moshe Dranitsa which had a grain mill. In later years the barrack served as the city's social hall for big meetings, theater shows and other events/ cultural happenings.

Next to the small house lived Reb Mikhl Liver, a shoemaker and Yehudis Kas, a shipping agent. Next to them lived Reb Yankev Dovid Nayman, a shipping agent, Vurker Hasid among the respected men in town, He also had the exclusive right to sell yeast in the entire area. In the other half of the house that bordered on the priest's garden was the prayer houses of the Amshiaver, Otwocker, and Vurker Hasidim.

Back to the front of the market, there was a row of houses that stood in

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the center of the marketplace. The first one was Reb Asher Kutner's with his haberdashery story. He was among the Otwocker Hasidic zealots and gave them space for a prayer house as a gift. Next there was the house of Reb Avrom Mordechai Fridman, among the old Gerer Hasidim, an honorable and learned man, former councilman and among the respected men in town. He owns the largest textile store. He and his wife, Reytse were well respected even among the surrounding Christian population who trusted them deeply. Their sons, Shloyme and Henech lived with them as well as their son-in-law, Reb Levi Varshaviak, a Gerer Hasid and leader of the Agudah, among the founders and activists of the Beit Yaakov School. Today he lives in Israel. His place was later taken by Reb Yisroel Burshtin, a young man from Warsaw. He was a Gerer Hasid, big religious leader and leader of the Beit Yaakov School. He was shot by the Germans in the village of Duvanek.

In the neighboring two-story house lived Itche Solka, the son of Avromka, the synagogue sexton, who had returned from Cuba and opened a shoe store; Devora Mashenzon, a widow who had a hair salon; next to them Reb Avrom Yisroel Trushkevitsh, son of Reb Mordechai, the synagogue sexton - a learned man – typical student of the Lomza yeshiva who had a colonial store. At the top Reb Avrom Solka had his apartment the last few years. He was the usher of the Rabbinic court. He was a small Jew from Zhvave with a long beard. He was a big shot, mixed up in the town's affairs and knew everyone's secrets. He was among the most capable matchmakers in the area. Later when his children from the United States generously supported him, he did not forego the post of the Rabbinic court's usher.

In the nice corner brick house that bordered the Kasztelno Street lived Reb Elkhonen Fridman, among the enlightened ones and a founder of the Mirzahi party in the shtetl. He had a candy store and was also the bookkeeper at the Jewish Credit Bank. He son, Shapsl was among the leaders of the Beitar. He, his wife, three sons and two daughters were all killed.

The right side of the street was inhabited exclusively by Christians. At the end of the street was the priest's palace and fruit garden.

On a big square across from the church stood a big brick building where the Polish People's House stood and the first Christian cooperative which was in intense competition with the Jewish merchants. A little deeper into the field was the Christian cemetery. After another row of Christian houses there was a side street where several Jewish families lived including Reb Mordechai Shniadover, owner of a wind mill that stood a little further. There was another wind mill next to it that belonged to the partners

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and owners of the small steam mill – Reb Chaim Krulevitxh, a good-natured man and Reb Yehoshue Drozd, among the respected Aleksander Hasidim, a good prayer leader and learned man.

Behind there, in the rest of the Probostwo area lived the wealthy brothers, Note and Iser Rits, owners of the city's electric power company and the big steam mill that produced flour for the entire area. Reb Note Rits, a learned man, was for several years, the president of the Jewish community. Reb Iser Rits, a Gerer Hasidic, was very hospitable and gave generously to charity. They were highly respected men in the shtetl. With them lived their children and son-in-law of Reb Iser Rits, Reb Shloyme Ekiezer Botshan, a student in the Lomza yeshiva from Rozan.

From the Probostwo a path leads towards the fence of the Christian nobleman, Glinko's residence, a palace in the estate, Szczawin. He was one of the wealthiest men in Poland and many Jews from Goworowo and the surrounding area conducted large business transactions and generated their income from him.

The market and the Kasztelno Street as it looks today In the center: The memorial to the murdered residents

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On the way back to the shtetl there was the house and big colonial store of Reb Chaim Potash, a Vurker Hasid and musician. Next to it there was a meeting place of the Poale Agudas Yisroel Party. Then there was the city's post office and next, the shtetl's police headquarters. After the house of the Christian town doctor, Glinko stood the big parish church and the priest's palace.

After several Christian stores stood the house where Reb Yekhiel Gerlits had his colonial store. He was a learned man, well versed in Hebrew and Yiddish literature, a friend of Nokhem Sokolov, knowledgeable in Polish and Russian. He used to write request to the government offices on behalf of the shtetl's Jews. Together with him lived his son, Chaim Gerlits founder of the city's interest free loan charity. Today he lives in the United States. Next to him also lived his older son, Itzhok Velvl Gerlits, the son-in-law of Reb Velvl Blumshteyn, owner of the iron store and mechanic workbench.

After Ratenski's big Christian textile store stood a small wooden house where Reb Shmuel Avrom lived, a tailor, with his son-in-law Reb Shimen Azdaba, a wheat merchant, Gerer Hasid and reader of the Torah in the synagogue. Next to them lived Sura Zilbershteyn, Reb Fayvl's widow, a stringent Otwocker Hasid, a learned man. Across from them lived the tailor from Radzilow, Reb Velvl Zilbershteyn, an honest man and large charity donor who died in Israel. His neighbors were Reb Mendl Botshan, the son of the old Goworowo rabbi, an impressive personality with a patriarchal look, a Hasid and honest man. In the front Reb Gaviel Yaloviets had his bakery. He was a good natured man. Later Yankev Kasher from Vonseva [Wąsewo] took over the bakery. In the next house lived Velvl Barg, a shoe leather worker from Pasheki.

In a nice two story building, Reb Moshe Tenenboym had his hotel and restaurant. He was president of the community for many years and an activist in the Mizrahi party. Next to him was the iron store of Reb Baruch Mints, a Vurker Hasid. The Hasidic rebbes would usually stay with him when they visited the shtetl. In the same house also lived Mrs. Eytshe Mints, a textile merchant and Reb Peysekh Shachter, a slaughterer. Their neighbor was Reb Itche Meyer Yaloviets, an Aleksander Hasid who traded in wheat. In the courtyard lived Reb Chaim Ber Grudke, the shipping agent considered to be among the respected Jews in town. An Aleksander Hasid, he was the shofar blower in the big synagogue.

In the front of the house lived Reb Gedalye Pshisusker, an Aleksander Hasid who owned a textile store and Hersh Berl Fayntsayg, a hat maker. His daughter, Blimtshe was an accomplished actress and his wife, Teme died in Israel. Then there was also the house and colonial store of Reb Meyer Ramaner, a Gerer Hasid and

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learned man who was an activist for community needs, for many years a synagogue council member, a learned man and an arbitrator for lawsuits at the rabbinic court.

The following house belonged to Reb Nosn Farba, a well-known Amshinaver Hasid who worked in the stone business. Together with him lived his sons-in-law, Nakhmen Yarzhambek and Rabbi Nakhmen Belfer, among the best students of the Lomza yeshiva. Today they live in Canada. Next to them lived Reb Yisroel Itzhok Tsudiker, a wheat merchant and Aleksander Hasid. In the courtyard there was the new big synagogue that was built in the year 5685 (1924/25), the old wooden synagogue, the Talmud Torah, the Aleksander and Gerer prayer houses, the Beit Yaakov School, the interest free loan bank, and the welcoming office (where strangers to the shtetl were welcomed).

Further along the front of the market, Reb Yekl Klepfish had his colonial store. He was the son of an old Goworowo Rabbi, the Beit Aharon and his son-in-law Reb Dan Rosenberg, a big textile merchant who had the power of attorney for the Jewish National Fund. He was an activist for the interest free loan bank. Next to them lived Reb Moshe Skurnik who was among the enlightened ones and Lovers of Zion. He was a speaker and affable person who immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1935. He died a few years ago. In the second half of the house lived his brother-in-law, Reb Elizer Kshanzhko, an honest man, Aleksander Hasid who traded in wheat. His wife and daughter live in Israel. There also lived Reb Chaim Mitsnmakher, a hat maker, son-in-law of Rabbi Reb Fishel Shapiro from Tshervin. His wife and children live in Israel today. Also Reb Moshe Mozes, a young, learned man who was a wheat merchant lives in the United States today.

On the other side of the river, in the small village, Wolka lived the following Jewish families: Reb Bendet Viroslav, a wheelwright who recited psalms in the study house. His daughter lives in Israel today along with his son-in-law Nakhmen Yarzhombek also a wheelwright. Also in the village were Yekl Budne, the smith and Moshe Taus, owner of a workbench for repairing agricultural machines.

At the train station of Pasheki, 5 kilometers from Goworowo lived the following Jewish families: Meyer Likhtenshteyn with his son, Yoysef today in Israel. They operated a grocery store together with his son-in-law, Yoysef Rekhtsheyd. Leybl Barg also owned a grocery store. His children live in Israel. Leybl Thilim was a shipping clerk.

In the village of Suchcice lived a few Jewish families. In the remaining villages of the Goworowo area no Jews were living the last few years.

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