[Columns 229-230]

Shloyme Ber Amper

A group of Ha-Po'el Ha-Mizrachi parts from our member P. Verthaym, before his emigration to the Land of Israel, in 1925 Top row: Shloyme Ber Amper, Yisro'el Lerekh, Ber Halbershtat, Itshe Gertner Second row: Khayim Verthaym, Shlomo Frimer, Pinye Verthaym, Sender Zilber Bottom row: Fishl Fayfer, Yekuti'el Goldhur

I was working as a carpenter at that time. Shloyme Gertl (may his memory be for a blessing) wrote me from the Land of Israel that I should learn a trade: carpentry or construction. I registered for the party, together with Pinele and Khayimke Verthaym, Yitzkhok Gertner, Yisro'el Lerekh, Fishl Fayfer, Yehuda Shroyt, Sender Zilber, Mints, Frumer, Yo'el, and others. Pinele, Rabbi Verthaym's son, was the leader.

We met 2-3 times a week: sometimes in the meadow, under the open sky, on the road to the village of Svinitin, on the way to the mill, or in a member's house. Our conversations revolved around Zionist themes. We were required to speak Hebrew to each other, regardless of mistakes. Rabbi Verthaym also required us to study Ein Ya'akov.

Once, an announcement came from the rabbi that there were many sheymes in the large synagogues, and not enough space for them.^[2] The rabbi instructed us to dig a pit in the “small cemetery,” and bury the sheymes there. One summer morning, at 5 a.m., a group of us set out to do this. After we had dug for an hour, we found human skulls. Of course, we immediately stopped working and let the rabbi know. Rabbi Verthaym (may his memory be for a blessing) ordered us to fill in the pit, and to beg the deceased people's forgiveness.

Why was it called the “small cemetery”? In the old days, a bride and groom were brought opposite the large synagogue for the marriage ceremony. As the story goes, on one occasion the bride and groom, and their entire families, sank into the earth as they were standing under the huppa. The site was then fenced, so that no one would tread there, and it became known as the “small cemetery.” On Tisha B'Av, children would throw in plant darts.

The place was across from the large synagogue and the rabbi's house of study. It had recently become known as the “Warsaw synagogue.” Why? After the rabbi of Turisk (may his memory be for a blessing) had died in Hrubieszow, his four sons would come to the town every year on the anniversary of his death. The oldest son, Reb Moyshele, prayed in the Turisk synagogue. The second son, Reb Dovidl, prayed in the Tomaszów synagogue. The third, Reb Nokhemtshe, prayed in the rabbi's house of study. The fourth, Reb Velvele, prayed in the Radoszyce synagogue. Because Reb Nokhemtshe (who lived in Warsaw) prayed in the rabbi's house of study, it became known as the Warsaw synagogue.

Reb Nokhemtshe led the prayers beautifully, and Hasids from all the Hasidic synagogues would come to hear him. When he came to “And return in compassion to your city, Jerusalem,” the walls would tremble. At “When will you reign in Zion? Soon, in our lifetime,” he would begin weeping like a child, and everyone would join in.^[3] When he was joined by the hasids at a gathering, he would discuss religious matters. He would quote his grandfather, the preacher of Turisk, and say that Shavuot is the greatest of the holidays. During Passover, for example, the commandment is to eat matza; once the holiday is over, the commandment is over as well. During Sukkot, we are commanded to eat in the Sukkah and say the blessing over the esrog (citron); after the holiday, both commandments are over. But Shavuot marks the reception of the Torah by the Israelites at Mount Sinai. When the holiday is over, we stay with the Torah and abide by it. Shavuot is therefore the greatest, and the best, holiday of all.

Results of the Congress Elections in Hrubieszow, 1930

No. 1 – Al Ha-Mishmar – 202 votes.
No. 3 – Mizrachi – 50 votes.
No. 5 – Po'alei Tsiyon – 631 votes.

Haynt, July 27, 1939^[4]

Translator's Footnotes:

1. Ha-Po'el Ha-Mizrachi (The Mizrachi Worker) was a religiously observant settlement and labor party founded by Zionist settlers in Palestine in 1922, with the slogan Tora va-Avoda (Torah and Labor). Return
2. Sheymes (derived from the Hebrew shem, name of God) are scraps of holy books written in Hebrew that may not be disposed of in any way except proper Jewish burial. Return
3. These are phrases from the morning service. Return
4. The date at the bottom of the box seems to be erroneous and should probably be 1930. Return

[Columns 231-232]

The leadership of Betar in Hrubieszow Standing, right to left: Zelig Holtser and David Vayntrob Seated: Ya'akov Bukhtreger, Bunim Zinger, Yentl Verthaym, Tsvi Zilberberg (teacher in the Mizrachi school), Shlomo Kam, Aharon Me'ir Zinger		Yosef Khrost

The founders of Betar, 1925 Right to left: Yuzhik Kraytser, Aharon Me'ir Zinger, Yo'el Rabinovitsh, Moshe Rozenblum, and Yukl Brand

Without a specific plan, informative literature, publications, or central leadership, Hebrew-speaking youths began gathering around the unusual personality of the man who created the Jewish Battalion. They had no support; the official Zionist circles did not recognize them. The local Jews ridiculed the “little rifles.” However, these youths did not stop their activity. They began organizing their first activities, gathered for meetings, read the written materials they received, and Jabotinsky's articles (which were published every Friday in Haynt or Moment). It was only later that the new organization coalesced and attained its proper position in the Jewish community.

No official documents remain from that first period. A notion of the founders and their activities can be gleaned with difficulty from the fragmented memoirs of the few founders who were able to realize their dream and emigrate to the Land of Israel. Aharon Me'ir Zinger was joined by Yokl Brand, Yo'el Rabinovitsh, Ya'akov Bukhtreger, and Anshel Shukhman. They were followed by Moshe Rozenblum, Yuzhik Kraytser, Yosef Brandl, Zalman Grinberg, Barukh Goldshteyn, and Bunim Zinger.

During that time, Ya'akov Perlman arrived for the first time, sent by the central committee in Warsaw. That was also when the local Ha-Shakhar club felt secure enough to hold a first public meeting in town. A second meeting took place shortly afterwards, with Dr. Lipman, a popular speaker of the time, who traveled between towns and cities, bringing Jabotinsky's ideas to the Jewish masses.

Betar first came to Hrubieszow in 1927; its core consisted of Ha-Shakhar members, but other young people immediately joined them: Itsik Aynhorn, Zelig Holtser, Shlomo Kam, Roza Gliksberg, Moshe Falk, Yitzkhak Yungman, Shlomo Shifer, Ya'akov Raiber, Me'ir Bodenshteyn, and others. High-school students also joined, such as Itshe Grinberg, Mendel Kenop, Sha'ul Nirnberg, Leybl Kizel, and Shlomo Brand, who was studying in Vilnius. This was also when the rabbi's daughter, Yehudit Verthaym, joined; she had been invited by the commander, Aharon Me'ir Zinger. She told her father about the invitation, and he consented. She was appointed the commander of the girls.

The visit of the advocate Tsvi Bonfeld, in 1928, was especially significant. He was a representative of the JNF, who took an interest in the young Betar members. It was the first time these young people realized that a person who was important in the Zionist Organization also supported the head of Betar. This encouraged them, and led to the joining of additional youths.

Another surprising visit was that of Avraham Lobes, who came wearing the uniform of the Jewish Battalion. The convention of Betar clubs in the vicinity, the festive prayers in the synagogue, with the participation of Rabbi Yosef Verthaym, made a powerful impression, and contributed to the growth of Betar. Shortly after Lobes's visit, Gershon Ashkenazi – a member of the Betar high command in Warsaw – also visited.

The Hrubieszow Betar group had a taste of the early discrimination in matters of immigration. Of the fifteen immigration certificates designated for Betar in Poland, the Hrubieszow branch was granted only one. The branch gave it to Hersh Shtekher; however, when he arrived in Warsaw to prepare for immigration, the Palestine office there disqualified him.^[2] Other Betar members in Hrubieszow later received the same treatment, and – together with all Betar members in Poland – were active in organizing the “illegal” immigration.

The early 1930s saw Betar develop and flourish. In 1930-1931, our branch established two training groups in Putuzyn and Serbinic.^[3] The young members, many of whom were from various Betar branches in Poland, worked with field crops: beets, tobacco, and hops. Ya'akov Bukhtreger and Bunim Zinger were among the first to join these groups.

In 1931, Polish instructors with arms came to our branch, for military training. It gave the Jewish community its first chance to see

[Columns 233-234]

young Jewish men marching with rifles; the entire community was overjoyed and excited.

There was constant activity in all other fields as well. History and Hebrew classes took place, and there were discussions about Zionism and the principles of Betar. Lag B'Omer was an occasion for hikes and walks in the vicinity, as well as performances by the amateur drama club.^[4] Our Betar club also distinguished itself in fund-raising for the JNF.

At that time, the central Betar office in Warsaw organized the first courses for leaders. Mendl Kenop, Itshe Grinberg, and Shlomo Brand participated in the first course, in Zielonka, which was led by Moshe Yo'elson. They applied their new knowledge to the Hrubieszow branch.

I cannot pinpoint the date when young people of Hrubieszow began joining Betar. But among the early members were Khane Zinger, David Vayntroyb, Leyb Bodenshteyn, Tsirl Fayngloz (who was, for a time, the club secretary and commander of the girls' group), Esther Grinvald (club nurse), Tsirl Goldberg, Sheva Arfin, Fradl Shtokhamer (club secretary), Tsvi Arfin, Khayim Verthaym (later the commander of Betar in the Lublin region), Moshe Hekht, Fayvl Falk, Leyyzer Falk, Fayvl Drayer, Shmu'el Drayer, Khayim Nadel, and others.

In the meantime, the young members of the Hrubieszow club had frown up. Aharon Me'ir Zinger was replaced by his brother Bunim, who alternated with Barukh Goldshteyn as club commander. Bunim Zinger emigrated to the Land of Israel in 1933. The work continued smoothly regardless of the change of leadership.. Later club commanders were replaced as members left: when Barukh Goldshteyn left, Zelig Holtser took over; when Holtser moved to Warsaw, Leybl Kizel took on the position. The work of the club never stopped.

The second convention of Betar clubs in the Lublin region, which took place in Hrubieszow on August 23, 1932, was a major event. It marked the fifteenth anniversary of the founding of the Jewish Battalion. Yosef Chrost represented the central Betar office in Poland. It was a very impressive event: hundreds of Betar members participated, staying outside the town in a large tent camp. Some Betar units carried rifles, and the excellent band of the Włodawa branch also took part. There was a large open-air assembly, in which representatives of the civil and military authorities participated. The principal of the town's state Gymnasia, who was then acting mayor, welcomed us. He was glad to find out that his Jewish students, whom he did not suspect of belonging to any militant Jewish organization, were standing in rows dressed in the Betar uniform.

Betar farewell gathering for Tsvi Shtekher, before his departure for the Land of Israel Standing, right to left: Yehoshu'a Frayman, Bodenshteyn, Itshe Grinberg, Mendl Kenop, Shlomo Brand, Shmu'el Sher, Shnol, Efrayim Pomerants Middle row: Me'ir Bodenshteyn, Barukh Goldshteyn, Bunim Zinger, Tsvi Shtekher, Moshe Falk, Yitskhak Aynhorn Bottom: Zelig Holtser, Itshe Yungman, Shlomo Shifer, David Vayntrob

Farewell gathering for Ya'akov Rayber, before his departure for the Land of Israel Standing, right to left: Itshe Grinberg, Royza Gliksberg, David Vayntrob, Khane Zinger, Itshe Yunman, Ya'akov Rayber, Yehoshu'a Frayman. Seated: Esther Grinvald, Barukh Goldshteyn, Khayim Verthaym, Shlomo Kam, Yukl Brand

At that time, the defense training course for Lublin province included two members from Hrubieszow: Yehoshu'a Frayman and Ya'akov Rayber. The course took place in Wólka Profecka.

The first two Betar members emigrated from Hrubieszow to the Land of Israel in 1933: Bunim Zinger and Ya'akov Bukhtreger. They were followed by others, but not through the Betar-designated immigration certificates. Several others arrived by other means. Some were not able to realize their dream, and were murdered in the Holocaust. A very few were able to reach Israel after World War II.

1933, when the 18^th Zionist Congress was held, was a year of great suffering for all of Betar in Poland, including the Hrubieszow branch. It was the year of the Stawski trial, and for a moment it seemed that the Betar movement would be wiped out by the wave of hatred and incitement,^[5] However, shortly afterwards, support for the movement increased. Rabbi Yosef Verthaym encouraged Betar in Hrubieszow. The vitality of the movement was such that two members rode their bicycles to the Zionist Congress in Prague. They were joined by Hillel Hornshteyn, a local member of Ha-Shomer Ha-Tza'ir. It was an adventurous trip. The riders got as far as the Czech border on their bicycles, and continued – without any documents – to Prague by train. After the historic Congress, they returned to Hrubieszow the same way.^[6]

A branch of the Zionist Revisionist movement was established in Hrubieszow. Its active members included Dr. Fridman, Yisra'el Sas, and Henryk Rot. A branch of the Soldier's Alliance was also set up, headed by Aharon Mei'r Zinger, the young man who had responded eight years earlier to the call of the Betar leader, had founded a local branch of Ha-Shakhar, and later – of Betar.^[7] Anshel Shukhman was also active in the Soldiers' Alliance.

Aharon Me'ir Zinger, the first commander of Betar

[Columns 235-236]

in Hrubieszow was also its last. We have little information about the last days of Betar in the town, but we do know that the energetic, cheerful Aharon Me'ir Zinger commanded the local branch to his last day.

There is some information about several Betar members who were murdered during the Holocaust; one was Itshe Grinberg, who was very active in the Hrubieszow Betar club. Grinberg, who wanted to emigrate to the Land of Israel immediately after completing his secondary school studies, was prevented from doing so by the duty to enlist in the Polish army. According to rumor, he was in nearby Ludmir and intended to return to Hrubieszow to rescue his father and brothers, but was caught and shot by the Germans. Another rumor was that he heard that his father had been taken by the Germans; trying to save him, he went to the Germans and took the blame on himself. He was then executed by them.

Yukl Brand, one of the first Betar members in Hrubieszow, who was the commander of Betar in the Zaglembie region, became legendary during the Holocaust. He was commemorated by the survivors, and a large camp of Zionist pioneers in the DP camps was named for him.

Ya'akov Bukhtreger, one of the first emigrants from Hrubieszow to the Land of Israel, joined the police force, and served there for twenty years. His son, Tsvi, tragically died in the IDF; Ya'akov's heart could not take the strain, and he died sorrowfully in July 1959.^[8]

Shlomo Brand, was in Vilnius before the outbreak of World War II, and organized “illegal” immigration to the Land of Israel. He was active in the ghetto, was one of the organizers of the underground fighting force, and later fought with the partisans. Khayim Lazar (Lita'i) wrote about him as follows, in his book Khurban va-Mered:

“He was one of the organizers and heads of the second fighting force in the ghetto, and helped to supply weapons for the fighters. He was one of the best and most courageous partisan commanders. For two years after the liberation, he helped organize the ‘illegal’ immigration to the Land of Israel; he also served in the Israel Defense Forces.”

Yosef Marmelshteyn was exiled by the Russians, and was one of the few Betar members incarcerated together with Menachem Begin.

Bunim Zinger, one of the early members of the IZL's fighting force, was imprisoned for three years in detention camps in Africa.^[9]

Betsalel Zinger was also a member of the IZL, an experienced fighter who participated in most of the attacks against the British authorities. He was sent by the organization to Europe in 1947, and helped survivors until January 1949. He joined the IDF upon his return.

Ya'akov Rayber immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1936, and has been active since then in the workers' union affiliated with the movement.

Yitzkhak Yungman reached the Land of Israel as a tourist in 1935, joined the Betar fighting force, and served in the unit commanded by Shlomo Ben-Yosef. He was a member of the Lehi organization during World War II.

Khane Zinger immigrated in 1936, was active in Betar, and – together with her husband – settled in the Betar-founded settlement of Nachlat Jabotinsky. Her husband was arrested several times, and her home was always open for members of the underground.

Barukh Goldshteyn immigrated in 1935 and was active in the IZL and in the “illegal” immigration. He was detained in the Latrun camp.

Zelig Holtser immigrated “illegally” and landed on the coast of Netanya.

Khaym Nets arrived after World War II.

Tsirl Fayngold immigrated with her parents in 1946, and was active in Betar in Israel.

Moshe Falk, Anshel Shukhman, and Moshe Rozenblum immigrated after World War II.^[10]

Mendl Kenop (Menachem Ben-Ari) immigrated in 1935, and is active in the movement as well as in its workers' union.

Translator's Footnotes:

1. Ha-Shakhar (the dawn) was a precursor of Betar, the Revisionist youth movement. Return
2. The Palestine Office was a Zionist institution primarily charged with the implementation of immigration to the Land of Israel, and was represented in most European capitals. Return
3. I was not able to establish the names of these locations. Return
4. Lag B'Omer, between Passover and Shavuot, is traditionally a day for outdoor activities. Return
5. The important left-wing Zionist leader, Khayim Arlosorov, was assassinated in Tel Aviv in 1933. Avraham Stawsky, a Polish-born member of Betar, was suspected of being an accomplice to the murder. No one was ever convicted of the crime. Return
6. The 18^th Zionist Congress resolution expressed grave concerns at the political developments in Germany and elsewhere. Return
7. The Soldier's Alliance was an association in the spirit of the Revisionist movement of discharged Jewish soldiers, which operated in the 1930s. Return
8. IDF is the acronym of the Israel Defense Force. Return
9. The IZL, also known as Irgun (the first word of its acronym), was a Revisionist Zionist paramilitary organization that operated in British Mandate Palestine between 1931 and 1948. The authorities exiled some members to detention camps in Africa. Return
10. Shlomo Ben-Yosef took part in a retaliatory attack on an Arab bus in 1938, which was followed by his arrest and execution by the British authorities in that year. Lehi is the acronym for a militant fighting group that split off from the IZL in 1940 Return

[Columns 235-236]

Jewish brethren!

The Jewish nation is living through a difficult moment. With the rise of Hitler's Germany, the people are being deluged with a flood of evil decrees and extermination plans, which evoke the cruelest period of the Middle Ages. The hatred and poison of Hitler's Germany are inundating every place where there is a Jewish community.

A storm of animosity and hostility surrounds us, with the sole aim of undermining and eradicating the existence of the Jewish masses. The evil decrees of 1548-1649 are emerging anew; we are again being confronted with the old, filthy, blood libels.^[2] Jews everywhere are being forced out of their economic positions and are losing their basic means of subsistence.

The only land where Jews can, and will be able to, live – the land that 55 states have solemnly promised to Jews for the purpose of creating a Jewish state – that land is locked to us Jews!!!

The British administration prevents the establishment of a Jewish Land of Israel! They are now saying openly that they wish to colonize and facilitate the existence of Arabs. This amounts to the establishment of an Arab Palestine by means of Jewish money.

Jews! You can no longer remain silent! You must address the world and demand free immigration! The Land of Israel is the only country that can enable the existence of the Jewish people. Demand a Jewish state!

Demand your historic right to your country, in the Land of Israel! Address the entire civilized world for help in developing the Jewish state!

This national petition demands free Jewish immigration to the Land of Israel!

Only this national petition expresses the Jewish will for a Jewish Land of Israel!

Therefore, sign the national petition in your masses!

Let not a single Jew be absent from the list of signers!

Long live Jewish-state Zionism!

Long live a Jewish state on both sides of the Jordan River!

The League for the Jewish National Petition, Hrubieszow

The Mizrachi Organization in Hrubieszow: Chairmen Hersh Bukhtreger, Yissokher Laks.
Merchants: Ya'akov Perets.
Small: Moyshe Foygl.^[3]
Association of Revisionists: Yisro'el Sas.
“Nordia” Sports Organization President: Dr. Fridman.
Soldiers' Alliance, Commander D. B. Rat.
Trumpeldor Alliance, Commander Kh. Verthaym.

Translator's Footnotes:

1. *Original note: We are publishing the almost unaltered call of several Zionist groups in Hrubieszow demanding a Jewish state in the Land of Israel. Return
2. This refers to the massacres of Jews in Ukraine and Poland in 1648-1649, during the peasant uprising led by Bohdan Khmelnitsky; thousands of Jews were killed. Return
3. I could not identify the organization referred to by the abbreviation “Small.” Return

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