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[Page 144]

When in the years before the First World War the idea of Zionism had already struck deep roots everywhere, and there were Zionist organizations in many large and small town, Zionist idea had not yet reached Goworowo.

In truth, there were a few individuals who had been “infected” with Zionist thought, the youth had discussed the topic on their strolls outside the town, in meetings in private homes, but no organizational activity or open steps or official work had come out of it. For that they had to recreate “the story of Genesis” which already smelled of heresy, of revolution, of conversion may God help us! – and for that that one must have much courage and energy to enter the struggle with the more observant population of the town. Not all of the youth wanted to do that. Not everyone wanted to enter an unequal competition.

The old “Khoveyvi tsion” tried something out: R' Meyshe Yehoshe Ginzburg used to collect money from the nationally-minded Jews and buy land in Erets-yisroel through “Keren kayemet l'tsion”, for the sake of the mitsve and in private, but after a certain big loss, they stopped their activity.

R' Meyshe Yehoshe's son Binyumin was almost the only one who did not stop for any pitfalls, bravely propagandized his Zionist stand, against others, and was persecuted by his religious parents and by the extremely fanatic environment. So did the conscious young man Avrom Horovits endure many chicaneries and insults from his father R' Yosl the teacher. For Nakhman Tshekhanover there was the case when he collected money for the K.K.L on Purim and his observant father R' Yekhezkel said that with that act he had turned the merry Purim into Tishe b'ov. Even the “Ha'tsefira”, “Haynt” and other Zionist newspapers were treyf, forbidden, and one had to read them in secret. So, it was no wonder that in such an atmosphere it was difficult to organize and establish a Zionist organization.

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It is possible that with time they would have come around. As the saying goes, “what the mind won't solve, time will solve”. Then Zionist thought and consciousness did finally ripen in our town and could appear in the open without fear; but then the First World War broke out, the town was burned down, and the population fled in every direction. Only in 1917, when the refugees began to return, and begin to construct a new Jewish life again, then Zionist thought got a new attire. A large number of people were already coming to the conclusion that our own land was a necessity. Truly, the religious Jews still held to their own, but the youth revolted and engaged them in a struggle.

At that time, the town already had a non-partial library at Yehoshe Ber Leviton's on the “Broad” street. All the young people attended there, without differentiation of party views, including the religious. That library was the place where lectures and discussions were held on various themes, and to the point – Zionism. Binyumin Ginzburg was the main speaker. Also, Yekhiel Pshisusker, Khone Vaysbarg, Yehoshe Vengrov and many others stepped up for the Zionist idea. Meyshe Regazi came often from Ruzshan and spoke about the “Bund”. Each one there had his word and preached for whatever he liked. The Zionists were the majority, however, and decided to take matters into their own hands.

Indeed, one can read in “Ha'tsefira” (No. 34 from 1917) that during the interim days of Sukes there had been a Zionist gathering in which about 100 people had taken part. The assembly had unanimously voted to establish a Zionist organization, to arrange Hebrew evening courses and lectures on Zionist and secular issues, as well as to organize an entertainment evening, and agreed to establish a library. The following were elected to the council: Binyumin Ginzburg, Nakhman Tshekhanover, Mendl Farbarovitsh, Peysakh Trukhnovski, Yehudis Rozen and Zalman Fridman. Khayim Matisyahu Evron and Bunim (probably Dine Boynes) were elected to the revision committee.

The administration took to their work energetically, carrying out the decisions of the general assembly. They also procured a large number of books, laying the foundation of a Zionist library. The teacher Hokhshteyn came to their aid too, offering his school venue for their use until they would later move over to a private apartment of Dvashe and Borekh BRH”B on the “Long” street.

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First row, right to left: Zlata Fridman and Yehudit Rozen Standing, from right: Tsipe Boynes, Rokhl Fridman and a Jewish teacher of Polish

Although the legitimization was in the name of the Zionist organization, that did not stop the members from introducing their approaches. It often happened that “Tsirey-tsion”, “Poaley-tsion” and others came up in the Zionist organization's discussions about Zionism. With the return of the brothers Hershl and Simeon Farba from Russia, the propaganda for “Tsirey-tsion” increased. Other possibilities, of other shades. One tried to persuade the other and despite the differences in meaning it turned out to be a revival for the Zionist activity.

During the long period of time when the Zionist organization's library was located at Dvashe's, they further pursued the religious circles. The latter demanded that the Zionist evenings (for exchanging the books and so on) should take place separately for men and for women and various other demands that the youth opposed. The point was that the observant parents became active, whose children were already involved in the organization, and so wanted to prevent their sons and

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from “disgrace and spoilation”. The Zionists used to come together often in other private homes. From time to time, they would also meet at Meyshe Granat's (a nephew of Bertshe Granat), who belonged to the “triplets” – B. Ginzburg, Y. Pshisusker and M. Granat of the cultural activists.

During the two years of the Polish Independence, the Zionist organization led an animated activity – as against the time of the Bolshevist invasion (1920) when there was a void in the town. The Zionists were afraid to conduct any work openly and also the use of the library had to be stopped. The youth had to literally hide themselves. Anyone who wanted to exchange a book had to travel to Ruzshan. In that short era, a non-party library was created at Shoshke Gitl and Avrom Alakevitsh's on the “Long” street. Those active there were Yankev Gurka, Meyshe Dovid Malavani, Yitskhak Dovid Kuperman, Yankev Zamelzon, Leybl Kersh and others. Binyumin Ginzburg also helped them. Later a leftist ”Poaley-tsion” evolved from it, under the leadership of the brothers Shlazer and Yankev Zamelzon, and a “Bund” headed by Leybl Kersh.

When the Red Army left Goworowo, some of the youth left with them to Russia, and the entire group-wise work, especially the Zionist activity, had to be reorganized anew. But now the new Polish government organs began to look askance at them and suspected everyone of sympathy with Communism. It is worthwhile noting the following incident:

During that time in Goworowo, the leaders of the “Tsirey-tsion” Binyumin Ginzburg, Yankev Karvet and Hershl Farba. Also, some of the “Ts. K.” members of the Zionist organization like Shvalbe and others, were arrested in Warsaw. Those arrests took place in relation with a circular from “Ts. K.” in which a conference of Zionist delegates was called in Warsaw, which was, in short, indicated only with two letters.

Given that by chance, on the same day, the communist “International” had called a conference in Vienna, the Polish authorities in Ostrolenke understood the two letters as indicating Vienna. They were certain that everyone was Communist and masquerading under the Zionist organization's legitimization, as the “Tsirey-tsion” was under one legitimization. The Polish patriots in Ostrolenke made a resounding blow about that, covering a large area all the way to Warsaw. They wanted it to appear that only they were successful in uncovering a Communist cell. Only after the personal intervention by Yitskhak Grinboym in Ostrolenke was the senseless libel cleared up and the arrested were freed.

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Meyshe Dranitsa

The religious Jews would still not leave them in peace. The town Rov also inspired them. Because the Zionist organization was officially legalized, that brought about the following collision:

The organization was based then at Yosl Engl's (the harness-maker) on the “Broad” street. The religious Jews intervened with the town police commandant, Grushka, and one evening he drove all the attending members out of the place and had the place locked, ostensibly because they were communists. A delegation with Meyshe Dranitsa and Yankev Karvet went right away to the Ts.K. in Warsaw and pleaded for their intervention. The delegation brought back two letters from the Ts.K. – one to the police commandant and the second to the Rov. The commandant promptly turned over the keys and the venue was reopened. The commandant, for his unlawful act, was forced out of his office. And the religious got their verdict. But the Ts. K. was not interested in aggravating those relations and were silent about the matter. Except the “Shomer Shabes” group visited the venue frequently, checking to see that they had not lit a lamp on Shabes or were smoking on the holy day.

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Dovid Aron Grudka, may God avenge his blood

Over time the pressure from the religious got much weaker. The Zionist organization (“Ha'tekhiya”) conducted its work in the calmer atmosphere. Zionist thought was already penetrating among all levels of the population. The work of the national funds and the sales of “sheklim” grew stronger. The Zionist members took part in theater performances, whose revenue was designated to purchase books for the library. The administration now consisted of Bunim Shafran, Meyshe Aron Granat and others. Avrom Holtsman was secretary and librarian for a long time. In 1925 [he] helped to found the agricultural training kibuts in Tshirnia.

Meanwhile the Zionist organization continued to hold discussions and member chats about the various currents in Zionism. In March 1927 a split occurred and the “Poaley-tsion” Zionist Socialists separated from the Zionist organization. (See further – “The Rise of the “Poaley-tsion” Zionist Socialists”). A new administration was chosen. Meyshe Dranitsa was again elected as president, Dovid Aron Grudka as vice president, and B. Kasovski as treasurer-secretary, and others. The first active librarian was Matisyahu Mishnayos, and later, Avieyzer Shikara and also memorialist.

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A group of members of the Zionist organization Sitting, from the right: Hine Leye Romaner, Yete Burshtin, Nemi Tsudiker and Devore Romaner Under them: Sore Givner and Blume Farba

In the 1930s the Zionists entered into various institutions in town. Active as members of the Jewish council were Dovid Aron Grudka, Yankev Kosher and for the last term, Meyshe Dranitsa. The latter also belonged to the management of the Merchants' Bank, the “credit bank”, before the destruction of the town. The Zionists collaborated in other areas as well. The founders, main leaders and most of the congregation of the “Progressive Minyen” were also recruited from the General Zionists.

Unfortunately, the majority of the leaders and ordinary members who had for years led the struggle for Zionist thought did not live to see its realization. They were killed with the six million Jews in the Holocaust era, may God avenge their blood.

[Page 151]

The younger generation of the “Bund”, to which I belonged, was led by the earnest comrade Simkhe Zilbershteyn. He was our teacher and educator, and we were drawn to him with love and respect. His assistant was Meyshe Alek. He was usually in a good mood, with smiling blue eye; he cared for us like a father for his children, and we found in him a sure support in all our doubts.

The recognized and general leader of the “Bund” was the dear comrade Leybl Kersh. He had a special soft spot for young people. He hugged children and kissed them as if they were his own. He inspired us with his personality and under his influence we were ready to carry out the toughest assignments without getting tired.

One must single out some distinguished members of the “Bund”: Comrade Itshe Kiris and his wife Sheyndl – today in Israel – who were already standing by the “Bund” in its cradle in Goworowo; and the unique comrade Leyzer Fridman who served us all as an example of devotion and self-sacrifice for an ideal. It is enough to mention the fact that Leyzer Fridman constructed the “Perets” Library in Goworowo with his own weak energies. He denied himself a new suit, or buying shoes, and used the money to procure books for the library. And Khone Olek, Mayer Shmelts and Meyshe Karvet were some of the most active members.

I myself eventually became active in “Tsukunft”, the youth organization of the “Bund”. I threw myself into the work with my whole youthful energy and evolved in every area.

In the early times the “Bund” did not have its own venue. We, the youth, would gather outside the town, under the open sky near the railroad. Later the comrades rented a place from the Christian woman Vengelska. But that was curious: Many of the older Friends did not agree that the youth should be all together in one place. Simkhe Zilbershteyn was angry with us and protected us so that we would not “fly off” into other organizations which were

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beginning to conduct a large agitation among the youth. Finally, Simkhe Zilbershteyn found us a place in the Perets Library where we carried on our activities.

Leyzer Fridman		Meyshe Olek		Simkhe Zilbershteyn

First row, from right: Simkhe Zilbershteyn, Avrom Romaner and Yosef Yagodnik Second row, from right: Sholem Praske, (unknown), Leybl Kersh and Shmuel Shetsikh Standing, from right: Sore Shmelts, Itshe Kiris, Sheyndl Karlinski, Meyshe Olek, Mendl Taytelboym, Brayntshe Rozen, Leybtshe Gemora and Malka Viraslav

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Later, the underground Communist organization stole members from us. Then the parents also understood the importance of the youth organization and they began to offer a lot of respect and attention.

The “Bund's” Perets Library possessed 6,000 books in Yiddish and Polish languages and was the largest library in town. It served every level of the population, from “Beys-Yankev” school girls and yeshive boys to Communists and even Poles. There was a special department for children's and youth books. I was a librarian for a long time, as was Sore Romaner too.

First row, from right: Meyshe Shmelts and Khone Olek Second row from right: Ziske Toyz, Mendl Taytelboym, Simkhe Zilbershteyn and Yisroel Shafran Standing, from right: Leyzer Fridman, Velvl Rubin, (unknown), and Noske Karlinski

In the area of popular education, the “Bund” also recorded large achievements. The Perets Library opened evening courses for the young and for adults, beginning classes and advanced classes. The “Bund's” pre-school and afternoon schools were also a big success. The teachers were

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Sheynke Durnitska and later, Peshke Goldman from Kobrin.

A large group from the “Bund” and the Perets Library

In general, Goworowo had a liberal approach to one another's ideals. The many views and party-positions did not disturb the community's idyllic living together. On one “press day” Yisroel Burshtin, the fanatic Agudas-nik, even bought a copy of the “Folks-tsaytung” from me; and when the “Beys Yankev” girls' school presented a play, I bought a ticket.

People in the “Bund's” Warsaw Central were drawn to Goworowo with great respect. The circulation of the “Folks tsaytung” and the “press days” was so great it was like that in the well-known big cities, and we often received commendations for them. The Central sent such “big fish” of the Party as H. Erlikh, V. Alter, Y. [?] Pas, B. Shefner, Dine Halpern and others, to Goworowo. I. I. Kruk and B. Malkin

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visited us with their lectures. The artist Holtser also visited us.

I present these details here which come to mind, writing these lines. Of course I have left much out and forgotten much because of the tragic war experiences. It causes pain and it cuts the heart when one recalls the dear friends who were so horrifyingly murdered by the Hitleristic killing squads. I want to mention a few names of friends whose images appear before my eyes: Meyshe, Khone and Khave Olek, murdered in Zelve, near Slonim; Leybl Kersh, killed at the end of the ghetto rebellion in Warsaw; Simkhe Zilbershteyn, killed near Baranovitsh; Meyshe Karvat, killed in Slonim; Naske Karlinski, killed in Baranovitsh; Sholem Praska and Gishe Olek, murdered near Minsk; Yenkl Olek and Golde Daytsh, killed in Russia; Anshel Toyz, murdered in Treblinka; Yosl Zilbershteyn, killed in Kartuz-Bereze: Meyshe Horovitsh, killed near Minsk; Yosl Ogrodnik and his family, killed in Russia; Leyzer Fridman, killed near Nashelski; Anshel Engel and his wife and daughter, murdered in Russia. Dovid Vishnia and his wife Masha; Oleyarzsh Yisroel Nakhum; Leybl and Velvl Toyz as well as Ester Greyner and her brother Berl – all murdered in the bloody war years.

May my lines be a gravestone for their sacred memories!

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The movement for a laboring Erets-yisroel – which stood for the task of building the Land on a socialist foundation – captured a large part of the youth in the 1920s. They understood that in order to make the economic life of the Jews a healthy one, they must stratify the people onto other foundations – become stewards of the land, live in communes and not refuse any physical labor.

In 1925 the Right “Poaley-tsion” merged with the Zionist socialist “Tsirey-tsion”. That was an important event then. Better reports began arriving from Erets-yisroel, which created a base for a broad-branched effort among the laboring masses.

Zionist-Socialist ideas began to infiltrate our town after some delay. We were still all grouped together in the General Zionist Organization. Discussions often arose about the end goals of Zionism, about socialism, and so on. Meanwhile the ranks of the General Zionists continued to grow. We ourselves had not expected such large success. Since the idea of being independent was ripe, of no longer being the kept son-in-law of the General Zionists, we were ready to pull away from their guardianship.

That happened in March 1927. Several members took the initiative, rented a space and laid the first foundation stone for the party “Poaley-tsion” Zionist Socialists in Goworowo. We grew quickly. It was necessary to create our own library, which would serve as the cultural life-center for the members. The leadership circle grew. We could envision that we too had the potential for good, influential work.

The continual gathering of new books and all the other tasks that are tied to maintaining a party drove us to large expenditures. The financial difficulties robbed a lot of our time. For that reason, the party created a dramatic circle which would bring in some revenue. And there, it turned out that we possessed an arsenal of precious

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human resources. Our own members and delegates from the Central in Warsaw arranged evenings for checkers and dancing. But our budget problem was always a worry. It was never real, but ever “patchy”.

The executive committee of the “P.Z.– Z.S.” First row from right: Zelig Hertsberg, Yankev Drozd, Aron Shron, Meyshe Sorge and Bunem Shafran Standing, from right: Yitsik Viroslav, Feyge Kuperman, Sore Skurnik, Yitsik Blumshteyn, Sore Plotke, Sore Sarna and Henekh Fridman

The space was always full in the evenings, where one could find a lively community. There was always a happy and friendly mood there. The leaders were interested in each member, always knowing “whose shoe was pinching”. Everyone felt as if the place were their own home. Someone was singing, someone laughed at a good joke or at a merry story and someone was embroiled in a political discussion.

Sometimes, at a lecture or a presentation, the police on duty paid a visit. Although we always announced the “innocent” topics to the police and used “kosher” content, we never used such terms as “socialism”, “communism”, “proletariat” and others.

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It also happened, if a gentile, a self-styled protector of the law, happened to overhear a word that he could not quite digest, that he dissolved the gathering, dispersing everyone away.

For special celebratory events there were also Poles gathered in the streets. Those culture-angels were drawn by comrade Avrom Holtsman. He turned out precise and polished work, creating new forms of the Yiddish alphabet. His posters drew extraordinary attention. They shone with the names of lecturers and topics in huge letters, or the name of the play. The poster was also decorated and adorned with various ornaments in more vivid colors.

Good reports were coming from Erets-yisroel. Every Jew's dream was to move there as soon as possible. Zionist Socialism was a significant factor in our national revival. With the establishment of kibutsim and collective living we saw our auto-emancipation – the shift to a healthier foundation. Great self-sacrifice and tremendous perseverance would be necessary in order to carry this out, and the Zionist Socialist movement provided that. Thus, people welcomed the party with deep respect and credibility. The party grew and broadened its strata. From that framework there blossomed the youth group “Frayhayt” and also a younger movement, “Skoytn” [“scouts”].

The relationships of one party with the others were not always ideal. There were often squabbles between them. Each party stood unwilling to concede. Mostly it came out as a sharp push-back with words. Rarely did it turn to opposing fistfights. Better we should live with the Zionist-thinking parties. Something still united us in a common goal – we had a partnering feel for Zionistic responsibilities.

“He'khaluts” and “He'khaluts ha'tsair” were absolutely outspoken Poaley-tsion comrades. We were in good relations with the General Zionists, from whose school we had emerged. We held the “Ha'shomer ha'tsair” in the same regard. We often held cultural events together. One did not attack the other. Rather, the opposite – we helped as much as possible. Our paths were, really, different, but the goal was the same. We stood a great distance from “BeTaR”. They were essentially fine people who were fed an extremely conservative diet. They were hot-headedly governed in every step by their leadership, followed militaristic rules and stood always ready to take orders from above. When Jabotinsky threw out the slogan “Stop!” they fled the General Zionist world organization and kept to their own doggerel. They unloaded their repressed impulses in the poor, silent “K.K.L.” charity boxes. But we were patient and never engaged them in battle, believing that they were just going through a temporary phase.

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But it was worse with the “Bund” and the Communist party. Each of our meetings was accompanied by their shout-outs. The only goal of their presence was to disturb and disrupt out meetings. We never visited their meetings. If one of us wandered into one, it was not with the goal to disrupt them. It seems that they could not accept our strong growth and the large influence of the P.Ts. party. Because we had risen above them in every area except “fisticuff argumentation” and in gifts of handicrafts. There was also a “Mizrakhi” party in town, an “Aguda”, a Left “Poaley Tsion”, but we were not in contact with them.

Officers of the First of May Gathering, 1930 From the right: Yitskhak Blumshteyn, Avrom Holtsman, Khave Segal, Bunem Shafran, Yankev Drozd and Yitskhak Viroslav

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A group of “Frayhayt” members Below: Meyshe Shafran Second row, from right: Grinberg, Meyshe Granat and Yitskhak Viraslav Standing: elin, Viroslav, Kahan and Shmuel Blumshteyn

I was delegated as representative for the party in the Yiddish School Organization committee, was in good personal relations with them, especially with their party leader Leybl Kersh, a young man with good qualities and a faithful server of the labor issue. I had always had respect for the Yiddish word, although Hebrew was on my horizon. I then considered, and at every opportunity expressed my personal opinion that, working closely with the “Bund” in other areas of community life was not excluded. In a calm, relaxed atmosphere one could take on many partnering strengths, creating a single energy for educational institutions, theater, libraries, professional unions and so on.

A special chapter must be dedicated to “Frayhayt”, the youth movement of the party. The older members carried the yoke of the financial tasks of the organization. They were the splinters of K.K.L., the Keren ha'yesod, P.O.F., and helped maintain the local venue, the library and other expenditures. However, the

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“Frayhayt” movement was not so burdened financially. The older members took care in particular to educate intellectually. There had to be the followers – the future party. That avant garde gave us great hope. A young group ranging in age from 14 to 16 years, impulsive, conscious, a majority of them very adept, with independent behavior and sure steps, ready for any call. Future leaders of the movement.

And we created another youth movement in the 1930s as well – the “Skoyt” [Scouts]. This was for the “infants of Ruben”, the youngest children. In order to prepare new cadres for the movement it was necessary to begin with “alef”. These were children of 11 to 14 years old, who were barely out of kheyder. Some of them were apprentices, and there was a danger that we would lose those children if we did not keep them busy; in particular, when we saw a similar tendency in the “Bund”. We did not stuff them with dogma. We put more emphasis on the physical development, helping to draw a living color to their pale, fallen-in faces. We kept them outdoors, had frequent spots events, exercises and sports competitions. The rest came from them. The were bound to the local venue, stopped being shy, took part in conversations and enjoyed happy events. In time they put down good roots. Each year we celebrated the transfer of the grown “Scouts” to the ”Frayhayt” movement with a parade.

A large group of “Poaley-tsion” Zionist Socialists and “Frayhayt”

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usually see the same friends. No event took place in the area of Erets Yisroel where one did not find the appropriate, comprehensive handling. The leaders of the local party took pains, life and limb, sacrificed, for their permanent development, and they certainly carried them out all the duties that the movement had laid on them. The ideological activity had achieved its goal, and a large number of them made aliya to Erets. Overall, Goworowo was considered a fortress of Ts. S. thought. The Central in Warsaw regarded us highly.

Our library, named for A. N. Brener, had an interesting history. As I mentioned at the beginning, we were all sitting together in the General Zionist Organization and were partners in the library anyhow. But when the idea of Zionist Socialism was ripe and we pulled away from the Zionist Organization and created a party of our own, we also demanded that the library be split percentage-wise according to the number of members and that we should receive our part. The Gen. Zionists did not agree to this. As security against our stealing the books, they hung huge locks on the door and on the bookcases. But that did not help. During Rosh-ha'shone night in 1927 four of our members, with the help of duplicate keys, got into the space and took the larger and better part of the books. The surprise was on us, and the police took everyone forcibly and threatened them with jail. No one betrayed the other. We stood trial twice in Tshervine court but because of lack of evidence we were all freed. A year later, when the story was almost forgotten, the members, in the middle of the night, dragged the books – which had been buried in sacks somewhere in “Probostvo” near the Jewish windmill the whole time – to the venue. Thus was our library enriched with a large number of books, thanks to that “literary” theft.

There was also a kindergarten among us for a time, which was run by the party. The woman teacher, Bialastotski (today in Israel), also a party member, who was sent from the Central “Shul-kult”, conducted her work with devotion. It was a pleasure to look in on how the little children played, sang and danced, surrounded with care and warmth from the teacher. Unfortunately, the school was not long-lived because of a lack of funds; the small number of children enrolled could not sustain the kindergarten.

Our daily organ “Dos vort” and the weekly publication “Bafrayung-arbeter-shtime” as well as the “Frayhayt” all had wide circulation. The fervent followers of our party could not wait for the mail-carrier

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A farewell picture at the departure of Sore and Yitskhak Blumshteyn and Aron Shron to Erets Yisroel. August 1932[a]

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to bring the newspaper to their homes but made a special trip to the post office to get it.

And the party was very innovative in the area of sports, particularly in soccer. Mostly the younger members played. The town did not have any special sports field, so the team gathered in the evenings outside the town near Mordkhe Shniadover's windmill and played there. Various sports appliances were installed at the local venue. But the sports were always in another place – after the political activities.

The young people strove body and soul for the idea of freedom, for the dream to realise the Erets Yisroel ideal. The ideal captured them completely, there was no time for anything else. They enjoyed little else in life because everything was just a spring-board to the end goal – Erets Yisroel. Unfortunately, the majority of the members did not live to see it. Honor their memories!

Finally, I must recall the members who stood at the head of the movement:

Bunem Shafran, Yitskhak Viroslav, Yankev Drozd, Zelig and Feyge Hertsberg, Meyshe Shafran, Rokhl Klepfish, Alte Zilbershteyn, Shmuel Blumshteyn, Leybl and Perl Sandale (all murdered); Meyshe Sarna, Meyshe Granat, Aron Shron, Khave Segal, Avrom Holtsman, Yankev Gurka, Yehuda Grudka, Yisroel Kutner (all in Israel); Yitskhak and Sore Blumshteyn, Hershl and Khave Krulevitsh (in America).

Membership cards for “Poaley tsion” and for the League for a Laboring Erets Yisroel

1. 2^nd row from the top, 4^th person from the right - Reuben Schmeltz Return

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