[Columns 249-250]

Yitskhok Ayzen

I left Hrubieszow in 1938, a year before the Nazi invasion of Poland, and I do not have precise numbers. I will therefore do my best to deal with this topic on the basis of memory, more or less. Obviously, I cannot provide a detailed chronological account, but the following is generally true to the events.

The Bund movement in Hrubieszow was so diverse that I cannot remember each individual and their specific activities. The fact was that everyone was active, each in their specific domain. I will include those whose names I cannot recall in the family of those nameless Bundists, who were murdered viciously by the Nazis, together with the entire population of Hrubieszow. Only in this way can I honor the entire Bundist family of Hrubieszow.

The Jewish population of Hrubieszow comprised about 2000 families. We never received precise statistics, because the authorities were not interested in providing the precise number of the Jewish population. We can estimate that 50% of the population were able to make a livelihood of sorts, and the others were poor or unemployed. There were no capitalists and manufacturers in the town, only merchants, shopkeepers, and many artisans. The main sources of income were trading of agricultural products.

Ideologically speaking, most of the Jews held conservative views and were religiously observant. Artisans were looked down upon, and having a child who was learning a manual trade was embarrassing. It indicated that the family belonged to the lower classes. Rarely, if the household suffered from hunger and there was never enough money to celebrate Shabbat, a child would be handed over as a shopkeeper's clerk. This did not count as a manual trade, because the parents prayed to God that he would become a merchant.

That is the atmosphere in which the secret Bund organization was founded. According to my information, this took place in 1904 -1905, and possibly even earlier. The local Bund consisted of a few people with higher education, and workers. I heard that the first Bund activists were arrested: Motl Milner, Yoysef Milner, Shmu'el Zayd, the Apelboym brothers, and Mendele the bootmaker (or, as he was called, Mendele the striker), who was exiled to Siberia. Years later, he escaped, and reached America. The arrests halted the Bund's educational work until the outbreak of World War I, in 1914.

After the Russian army retreated, the town was occupied by Austrian forces. Thanks to the liberal-minded military officers, we received permission to create a library. A temporary organizing committee was established to recruit members; characteristically, women were excluded. At the first general assembly it was decided that women could also become members. As far as I remember, the library's management consisted of Yitskhok Shimen Fayfer, A. Finkelshteyn, M. Shverdsharf, Nosn Zayd, Sh. Milner, B. Yanover, Moyshe Peretz, and Moyshe Grinboym. It was decided to call the library “The Y. L. Peretz Jewish Community Library.”^[1] The library attracted the young people of the town, and marked the beginning of active community work in Hrubieszow.

It housed about one thousand books, and had about three hundred members. Books were checked out once a week. It also included an active reading room, reading groups, and a drama club that performed in the library hall almost every month.

When the library was established, the painful question of Yiddish vs. Hebrew arose. There were two camps, which carried on a passionate battle. The Hebraists demanded that half the available money be dedicated to the purchase of Hebrew books and to organizing Hebrew reading groups.

The conflict threatened to split the library. There were meetings, which involved all the members in the argument. After stormy debates for a few days, it was decided that the library remain purely Yiddish. However, it was taken into account that a number of members wanted to read Hebrew books; in order to avoid a split, a number of Hebrew books would be purchased. Calm was instantly restored; but the fiery argument had an effect on the Yiddishists, and led to some of them organizing a local branch of the Bund.

The library leadership did not do any political work, and even avoided it. However, new political conditions emerged to which the Yiddish-lovers could not remain indifferent. The Austrian occupation authorities announced a census, and wanted the Jewish population to state that German or Polish was their mother-tongue. This was not a problem for the Hebraists, but the Yiddishists considered this a matter of principle, and organized a secret committee that agitated for Yiddish. The occupation authorities were not pleased, and several of the committee's leaders were arrested. Among them were A. Finkelshteyn, M. Shverdsharf, Y. Sh. Fayfer, Moyshe Peretz, and others.

[Columns 251-252]

Founders of the Local Bund

At this approximate time, a branch of the Bund became organized in Hrubieszow. As it was done secretly, and I was not a member of this committee, I cannot provide the names of all the members of the first committee. However, as I was later informed, the first organizers were Y. S. Fayfer, A. Finkelshteyn, M. Shverdsharf, Nosn Zayd, and Shloyme Davidzon (a refugee from Lutsk).

It was not long before a branch clubhouse was set up. It was run by our comrades Moyshe Shukhman, Y. D. Mitlpunkt, Moyshe Grinberg, Nosn Zayd, L. Hodes, Y. Ayzen, Kopl Gruberman, and others. There were systematic, secret and semi-secret meetings; both bodies were now occupied with political issues. We also began introducing the Bundist press. Jewish community life began changing. The Bund was becoming a dominant voice in all town affairs. The occupying authorities were not pleased, but the Bund was now a powerful force. This was the situation until the emergence of an independent Poland.

With the establishment of a Polish state, the Bund was able to organize all workers in professional unions. It created cultural societies, and was active in all areas of Jewish life.

In 1919, war broke out between Russia and Poland. The young people were conscripted into the Polish army, and only a few were left to continue the work. The Polish government declared the Bund illegal in 1920. There were mass arrests throughout Poland. Our clubs were locked. Comrades Avrom Shtrom, Moyshe Shverdsharf, Y. D. Mitlpunkt and Nosn Zayd were arrested. A secret committee of five was immediately set up (Moyshe Shukhman, Y. Ayzen, S. Erlikh; Leyzer Hodes of the professional unions; and Yoysef Tsigel of the youth groups). Three members of the committee soon had to flee for a long period of time, and the other members continued the work. The Polish secret police believed that the Bund in our town had been liquidated, but the Bund thought otherwise. From time to time, the Bund published hectographed announcements, informing the authorities as well as the Jewish population that the Bund continued to exist, and that the repressions would not drive them out of town; dozens would replace each person who was arrested.

The Russo-Polish war ended. Our members returned from prisons and the army, and the Bund was active once again in all areas of Jewish life.

The Hrubieszow Bund numbered around 200 members, with a large periphery of sympathetic people. The members were workers and artisans, as well as highly educated bourgeoisie. The Bund committees from 1922 until my departure in 1938, were headed (to the best of my memory) by Y. S. Fayfer, Kh. L. Fayfer, S. Erlikh, Sheve Milner, Y. Ayzen, Yekl Rayz. Noyekh Diamant, Y. Sas, Yekl Frid, B. Hastik, Yekhezkel Ader, Moyshe Levit, Dovid Bornshteyn, Yekl Diamant, Moyshe Horovits, Yisro'el Zayd, Sho'ul Ferdman, Rivke Bliskovski, Pinkhes Saler, Pinkhes Lerer, Motl Toler, Pinkhes Goldberg, and others.

The Bund-Tsukunft committee, 1928[2]

The city appointed a commissioner for the sick fund, and did not permit elections. The commissioner nominated deputies from the workers and bosses alike. However, the Hrubieszow Bund demanded that elections be held. When the request was denied, the Bund withdrew its representatives from the sick fund.

The community statutes included a section that allowed only religiously observant Jews to vote. Thanks to our bourgeois Jews, that section was not applied to us, and we were permitted to elect two council members: Y. S. Fayfer and S. Zayd. Our council members in the city council and the community fought for the right of the Jewish masses to be employed, against anti-Semitism, the rights of the Yiddish language and culture, and subsidies for all the Jewish schools.

The Bund even participated in institutions such as the Free Loan Fund, run by the JDC, for small shopkeepers and artisans. The JDC appointed a committee, which did not work properly, neither at giving loans nor at managing the Fund. Those who were abused turned to the Bund organization. We resolved not to remain indifferent. Following a general assembly, in which Kh. Mikhelzon represented the JDC, a new administration was elected. Y. Ayzen and S. Zayd represented the Bund, Yekl Royter, Zizshe Roytman and Y. Hekht represented the Zionists; and Yentshe Peretz and Azri'el Finkelshtayn represented the religious bourgeois element.

[Columns 253-254]

From that time on there was proper oversight of the Free Loan Fund, and the entire community was pleased.

I would like to mention a typical case that illustrates the importance of the Bund, even in non-Jewish circles. In about 1931-1932 I received a letter from the commander of the local army regiment, Major Gonsowski, asking for a meeting about a community issue. When I came to his office at the appointed time, Falwareczny, the principal of the universal education school, was there. He and Major Gonsowski explained as follows: as there were over one thousand children in the school, almost half of them Jewish, they would like to see amicable, brotherly relations between the children, just as there should be between nations. They realized that anti-Semitism was a dangerous poison, which demoralizes and corrupts the character of Polish youth. As a large number of impoverished children, Jewish as well as Polish, study at the school, and they need food, clothes, and schoolbooks, they would like to see a parents' committee that would deal with all those projects.

After several meetings, a parents' assembly was called. The following people were elected to the executive committee: Major Gonsowski, Chairman; Y. Ayzen, Deputy Chairman; S. Zayd, Treasurer; Y. Greger, Secretary; Mrs. Grinberg, Mr. Chrzantkowski, and the school's principal, Falwareczny.

Many changes followed. Major Gonsowski and Principal Falwareczny paid for their liberalism with their positions. But the parents' association continued to exist, and carried out important work for the Polish and Jewish children.

Kalman Kamashnmakher circle, celebrating thirty years since the Bund was founded Standing, right to left: Hersh Frid, Yankl Saler, Yekhezkel Korn, Avrom Frid, Hersh Koyfman, Moyshe Shatz, Moyshe Gertl Middle row: Leyb Mandel, Mordkhe Luksemburg, non-Hrubieszow resident, Shmuel Bernshteyn, Motl Langer, Avrom Gertl, Yitskhok Sher Bottom row: Leyb Bodn, Gershn Herts, Yehoshu'a Shats, Itsik Sas, Fishl Shpiler, Kalmen Bodn, Yoyne Tsukerman

Through its press, the Bund had strong influence on the population. Below are some details of the numbers of Yiddish newspapers sold in the town.

Folks-Tsaytung	150 daily,	200 on Fridays, 300 - 400 on Saturdays
Haynt	75 “	120 “
Moment	40 “	50 “
Dos Vort	40 “	75 “
Ekspres	30 “	40 “
Nasz Przegląd	20 “	20 “

Taking into account that the readers of the Folks-Tsaytung were not wealthy, and three or four people would buy one newspaper, one can imagine the number of people who actually read the newspaper. In addition, over 2000 copies were purchased on “press days.”^[3]

The Yugnt-Bund-Tsukunft in our town was organized at the same time as the Bund. Special reading groups were set up, which held readings, meetings, and excursions. The young people participated in all the political and community struggles and projects of the adults, and distributed a large number of newspapers in both Yiddish and Polish. Hundreds of Tsukunftists could be seen in the streets of Hrubieszow on Bundist press days, handing out copies of Folks-Tsaytung, as well as taking part in demonstrations and election campaigns.

A branch of SKIF was active alongside Tsukunft; it numbered almost one hundred elementary-school children of varying social levels. It was a joy to enter a children's meeting and hear how the Bund's “grandchildren” held discussions, organized focus groups, readings, and excursions.

The Bund successfully organized almost all the Jewish workers in the professional unions. The largest unions were the Dressmakers Union, Carpenters Union, and the Leather-workers Union. The Bund played a dominant role in these unions.

As we had many independent artisans in the town, who worked at home and could not belong to the professional unions, and did not want to join the Artisans' Union, the Bund created an independent socialist union that numbered about one hundred members. It was managed by the following comrades: P. Saler, Efroyim Teler, Y. Vaysbrot, Y. Shatz, Yosele Pachter, and others.

[Columns 255-256]

The Bund committee, 1936 Standing: Itsik Sas, Reyzl Miler, Binyomin Hastik Seated: Tevye Riz and Yankl Rays

The Bund founded a Peretz-School in Hrubieszow.^[6] The teachers were Khayke Zilbershteyn, Rivke Bliskovaky, Sho'ul Ferdman, and others. The school's management consisted of Y. Fayfer, Shmu'el Zayd, Yashe Pakhter, Pinkhes Saler, Yekl Rayz, Y. Ayzen, Shevele Milner, Y. L. Fefer, Dovid Bornshteyn and Yekhezkel Ader. Unfortunately, the school was not able to exist for long, as it had to overcome harassment from all sides – mainly from the Polish educational authority, which rejected the request to certify the teachers, claiming that they lacked Polish patriotism. The Peretz School, for which both teachers and students waged a dedicated struggle, closed after four years. It was incorporated into the Central Jewish School Organization (TSYSHO).^[7]

The Hrubieszow Bund also managed the Peretz library, which included over 2000 books. I believe that the library was handed over to the Kultur-Lige organization for political reasons.

We received word that our comrade, Advocate Henryk Erlikh, would participate in a group “trial” of the Zamość circle, to defend a group of communists. As we knew that the trial would end on Saturday, we approached Comrade Erlikh and asked him whether he would give us a lecture on Saturday night. He agreed. When we finally obtained approval by the authorities, we discovered that we did not have a venue. The government had warned all the local hall owners that, although we had a permit for the event, it did not want it to take place. However, as one hall owner, a Christian, who possessed a cinema hall in the “kerosene orchard” that could accommodate 400-500 people, had a falling-out with the state official, he agreed to let us use the hall after the last film showing – after midnight.^[8] We had no choice but to agree.

The train from Zamość arrived in Hrubieszow at 5:30 p.m. When we came to the station to welcome Comrade Erlikh, we saw a large crowd, which was growing by the minute. The police were helpless and completely confused.

The train finally pulled in. The moment Comrade Erlikh was visible, shouts rose from the thousands who were assembled: “Long live the Bund! Long live Comrade Erlikh!” An impressive demonstration formed along the route, 3-4 kilometers long, leading into the town from the station The large crowd, led by Comrade Erlikh, entered the town. His talk began at 1:30 a.m. A sizable number of people in the hall and the courtyard listened attentively to the interesting lecture, which continued until 4.00 a.m.

This article would not be true to facts if I did not present the conditions that caused the Bund to have the respect and trust of the entire town: not only of its Jewish community but of the Polish community as well. Let me go back to the beginning to explain.

The Bund began from the position that it should initiate its activity among the pariahs of Baths Street. It succeeded in winning their confidence. The Bund pulled the young people out of the neglected, dank streets, and influenced them to begin studying and become part of the Labor community. The Bund penetrated all circles of society through its propaganda and educational activities. At first, the bourgeois community dismissed the Bund, an attitude that changed later. This does not mean that we had no opponents. On the contrary: after every Bund victory our enemies became more ingenious and more militant.

I recall a time of serious crisis in 1920-1925, when there was a split in the Bund. Some members switched to the Communists, while others became apolitical. In addition, there was severe political repression by the Polish reactionaries. All our clubhouses were locked, and Bund members were arrested. Our enemies on the right and the left applauded the demise of the Bund. And in fact, our numbers did decrease at that time.

As it happened, elections to the town council were held at that time. Based on their population numbers, the Jews should have gotten 16 council members, and the Christians – 8. There were negotiations between the Jews and the Poles to put forward a general list of candidates, without elections, of 11 Jews and 13 Christians. We decided to present our own list. A representative came to the Bund elections committee, suggesting a single council member: “Although we know that you won't win even a single council member, we will give you one, to prevent you from being in our way.”

Our elections committee did not accept this proposition. The elections campaign against us took the most extreme forms. But the Bund had a colossal victory, electing three council members and a town elder.

Let this article be an everlasting monument to the murdered Bundists of Hrubieszow.

Translator's Footnotes:

1. After Isaac Leib Peretz (English) and Yitzhkok Leybush Peretz (Yiddish). Peretz (1852-1915) was a popular and respected Yiddish language author from Poland. Return
2. Tsukunft (future) was the youth organization of the Bund. Return
3. I was unable to determine the exact meaning of “press-day,” but assume it was a fundraising effort to support the Yiddish press. Return
4. This is the full name of the above-mentioned Tsukunft, the Bund's youth organization. Return
5. This was the Socialist Children's Union (Sotsyalistishe Kinder Farband), the youth organization of the Jewish Labour Bund. Return
6. These were secular Jewish schools. Return
7. TSYSHO is the acronym for a network of secular Yiddish schools under socialist auspices. Return
8. The term “kerosene orchard” is not explained. Return

[Columns 257-258]

The Kalman Kamashnmacher Circle in 1927 Standing, from right: Yekhezkel Korn, Yosl Blas, Hersh Koyfman, Glaz, Motl Luksemburg, Leyb Mandel, Shmu'el Bernshteyn Middle row: Itsik Sas, Hersh Frid, Moyshe Shats, Yitskhok Sher, Avrom Gertl, Yoyne Tsukerman Bottom row: Avrom Frid, Leybl Shtayn		Yankev Rays

The management's goal was to ensure the community nature of the library. However, the younger generation of Bund members wanted the library premises to serve political purposes as well. This led to internal dissension within the management. The older members, headed by Shimen Fayfer and Shmu'el Zayd, would not allow youth group events, meetings, and collaboration between professional unions. The younger generation, however, was the winner; in 1926 a different management was selected. It worked with the Bund political party, and placed the library premises at its disposal. As a result, the party grew, and the library became a gathering place for youth.

A sports club – “Morning Star” – was organized, and rented a hall from Gavri'el Katzav. There were also preparations to open the Medem School.^[1] The number of members increased, and both sites became too small to contain the ramified work of the organization.

In 1928, when elections for the city council were approaching, and people began to think about proposing suitable candidates, it was decided that the older members would be candidates for the council, as they were the only ones who were capable of taking the floor in Polish. The Bund's candidate list consisted of Yitskhok Shimen Fayfer, Yo'el Shekhter, Moyshe Levit, and our unforgettable comrade Shevele Milner.

Three of the eleven Jewish council members and one alderman were Bundists–a major victory for the Bund. The alderman was elected with the support of the P.P.S. and Po'aley Tziyon.^[2]

I would now like to present several examples of the devoted work during the elections campaign.

On the last Saturday before the elections, the Bund organized a meeting of the Bela Shapira section of Lublin. At the same time, Po'aley Tziyon also organized a meeting with Yisro'el Ritov, from Warsaw. Both meetings took place in the market park. That was where most of the Jewish population gathered. The audience listened to both speakers with passion and excitement; they spoke from the balconies of private homes, across from each other. The next day, Sunday (election day), the Bund sent ten people to each polling area, to make sure that everyone voted. The present writer was with one of these groups in an area on Baths Street, a Communist stronghold. Of those ten people, everyone except the writer was murdered. They were Yankev Dovid Shalit (died in 1933), Yashe Pachter, Tuvyahu Rayz, Mantshe Esik, Naftuli Tashir, Henyek Raykhnboym, and Yitskhok Sher.

The night the votes were counted, this writer (then chairman of the local Bund) appointed messengers to be on duty all night and report the number of votes for the Bund. By 2 a.m., the great victory of the Bund in Hrubieszow was common knowledge.

1. Vladimir Medem (1879–1923) was the main theorist of the Jewish Labor Bund, in Russia and in the Bund's early years in Poland, and arguably the party's most famous and celebrated leader. Return
2. P. P. S. is the Polish Socialist Party. Return

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