[Page 5]

On 12.12.1947 Chanoch Levin assembled the tortured and tired remnants of the Wyszogrod Jewish community at the Pocking-Waldstadt displaced persons camp for a memorial evening in honor of the holy martyrs of Wyszogrod.

We were 13 people and a baby held by his mother.

1. Chanoch Levin
2. Dvora Bomber-Alenzweig
3. Godel Kirsenboim
4. Natan Liv Dahytch [or Deytch]
5. Yoskeh Levin
6. Moshe Michal Schwartz
7. Alter Rura [or Rora]
8. David Katz
9. Sheeyeh Yoel Soon [or Son]
10. Avraham Gemach [or Gamach]
11. Andjeh Shaldov-Levin [or Sheldov-Levin]
12. Her infant son
13. Vaptcha Sheldov
14. Gotcha Levin-Firshenberg

After that we had a Seudat Mitzva during which people shared information about the Shoa, exchanged experiences, and the decision was made to set the memorial date for our sacred people on the 9^th of the month of Tevet - the date the remaining Wyszogrod community was transported from ghetto Novidvor to Auschwitz-Birkenau.

We organized then and there, appointing Chanoch Levin in charge of contacting the Wyszogrod jews in the United-States to ask for their help. Chanoch's father Yoskeh Levin z”l was among the society activists. He began organizing and food packages arrived immediately.

In 1949 we gathered in the Krongard family house in Israel: Avraham Popovski, A. Plez, C. Levin, N. L. Dahytch [or Deytch], Yishayahu Taub, and P. Krongard to collect addresses and to invite our people to a memorial at the Rura [or Rora] family house on 5 Tevet 1949 in Israel.

It was a wintery evening with heavy rain, but everyone attended. The memorial was full, making it a good opportunity to formalize our organization and elect the first committee: A. Plez – chairman, C. Levin – secretary, and as committee members: M.M. Zaychlin z”l, N.L. Dahytch [or Deytch], and A. Rura [or Rora].

In 1950 we held the second memorial service at the house of Sarah-Leah Tik on Tel-Arish in the city of Holon. A gmilut chasadim fund was established there in memory of Shmuel Buki z”l which A. Plez will manage. Eighty-five Israeli Liras were donated then and there.

Another memorial was hosted at Krongard's house in 1951. But from 1952 to 1964 all memorials took place in the Jewish Agency Hall thanks to the efforts of our friend Plez.

Golda Guttman-Holander visited us in 1953 and attended a meeting at Plez's house. Her son Shmuel-Ben Guttman-Holander was killed in action, fighting the nazis in England. His honor was a good fit to our gmilut chasadim fund and his name was added to that of Shmuel Buki z”l. Golda promised to raise money for the fund in the United States and made good on her promise, also making a personal donation of her own.

The first money from America, collected by Yoskeh Levin and other Wyszogrodians, arrived in 1954 making it possible for us to begin handing out constructive loans to new olim from Poland who began arriving in Israel.

Unfortunately, Yoskeh Levin was taken from us in 1955, so David Lipman took over and eventually the energetic Menachem Zilberstein joined us, adding broader and more vigorous momentum. During his visit in 1958, Zilberstein arranged a headstone for the Wyszogrod sacred victims in the Holocaust underground memorial.

David Lipman visited us in Israel in 1960. He and his wife purchased two plots in the “Kdoshim Forest” in memory of our holy victims.

In 1958 our general assembly decided that thanks to our people in the United Stated sending $700-$800 every year, our treasury is full and continuing to grow so from that day forward all the loans we hand out will be done through a bank. The money was deposited in the Poalei Agudat Israel Bank.

Until 1962 Sarah Ester Krongard, Bela Guttman and Itshak Shchefa were committee members.

The committee elected in 1962 included: A. Plez, C. Levin, N. L. Dahytch [or Deytch], P. Krongard, M. Velfish, T. Noyman, A. Rura [or Rora].

Plez resigned from the committee in 1963, and a new committee was not elected that year.

On the 28^th of Nisan 1964 we unveiled the new headstone at “Kdoshim Forest” and held our memorial service.

In March 1964 the resignation of Plez was accepted. The newly elected committee included: Chanoch Levin as chairman, Natan Liv Dahytch [or Deytch] deputy chairman also manager of the gmilut chasadim fund, Motle Velfish as secretary, Zvi Noyman and Alter Rura [or Rora] committee members.

For many years, Plez dedicated himself to the Wyszogrod book, collecting material and writing himself.

Results of the 28 December 1965 committee elections were: C. Levin, N. L. Dahytch [or Deytch], M. Velfish, M. Noyin [or Noyen], M. Copenhagen, A. Vijibinski, A. Popovski. The first 3 remained in their previous positions. The chosen audit committee were P. Krongard, S. Plez, and Shmuel Tik.

[Page 6]

1968 was the year the book committee – B. Guttman, N. L. Dahytch [or Deytch], M. Velfish, P. Malinak, A. Popovski and A. Plez – worked vigorously to fulfill the idea of publishing this Wyszogrod book. They stepped up collection of material and met with editors.

On his last visit to Israel in 1969, Menachem Zilberstein ceremoniously announced that he will take upon himself to fund the entire cost of the book. He connected with the editor H. Rabin, and it is thanks to Zilberstein's push and editor Rabin's energetic conduct that the book came to be.

This is the place and the opportunity to emphasize that the bond between our city folk and our organization strengthened our committee's work. The people of Wyszogrod came to meetings, under all circumstances, to any corner of the country, displaying utmost dedication to all matters concerning our town and the memory of the sacred of our hearts.

I had few opportunities to talk with you, but I am confident that the editors and I had your blessing throughout the process of preparing this memorial book of your beloved. I shall therefore allow myself to thank the editorial board here on your behalf.

It is well known that anyone who digs into the wounds of our tragic past and dives into the depths of the horrible Shoa is destined to find themselves wallowing in the abyss of anguish and torment. They will find themselves removed from everyday life for an extended period while our country is joyfully preparing the next world for our people. Few are capable of doing so. On the occasion of the book's publication, they deserve to be acknowledged for their enormous contribution without which who knows whether it would have ever happened. The People of the Book surely appreciate its creation and value the writers and editors of this Book of Wyszogrod.

Let us hold favor to the chairman Chanoch Levin who made the effort to travel from his distant home to our meetings. His dedication contributed a great deal to the committee's work and to the book.

Gratitude to the diligent N. L. Dahytch [or Deytch] who took much of the work upon himself, cared for every detail no matter how small, and was a pillar of persistent enthusiasm. His energy invigorated those on the sidelines.

Gratefulness to dear Motel and Bella Velfish for their support of the project sacred to them, prioritizing the work efforts over all other honors.

Blessings to our friend Pesach Melnik, who added to the collective wisdom and good spirits of those working on this mitzva.

Appreciation to A. Popovski who was willing to fulfill any errand that was asked of him.

I also thank A. Vijshvinski, M. Copenhagen and all the people who accompanied the book with advice and thought. Hirschel Neiman was swept with great passion, investing much energy in traveling to Tel-Aviv every time he was called to come.

My job was only to assist as needed. If you have a respectable memorial book of your loved ones and if it was completed as scheduled, it is thanks to your friends on the editorial board.

We shall not forget our friend A. Plez who initiated the idea of the book. He spent years collecting materials, and his many contributions enriched and completed the portrait of the town, its community and its people.

Recognition goes to the transcribers who added richness and interest to the content.

Finally, heartfelt credit to the Wyszogrodians in the United States. David Lipman, Menachem Zilberstein, Gavriel Lichtenstein, Avraham Cohen, (Rivka Paslis Zon), Simha Lipsker, Itshak Kazman and Haim Potterman. It is thanks to their help that this project was completed and that a memorial stone for the sacred people of Wyszogrod was built.

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