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On February 27, 1947, the Polish borders were closed in accordance with the Spychalski–Tzuckerman agreement. The number of Jews crossing the border illegally into Czechoslovakia steadily declined as the Jewish population in Poland shrank. Repatriation of Polish Jews from the Soviet Union was reduced to a trickle since the mass of Polish Jews had already returned to Poland. The Polish Brichah still organized some illegal crossings but these were small operations. The Polish government slowly gained control of the country following national elections won by the Communist Party. The various security forces and the army slowly restored order. Jews also began to feel a bit safer. The Jewish community in Zabrze steadily grew in numbers. Children continued to arrive at the Zabrze home and

The Zabrze old age home was located on the top floor

The remodeled old age home of Zabrze

The Polish Joint Distribution Committee allocated money to the old age home of Zabrze

Below is a registration card of a new Jewish arrival in Zabrze. The Zabrze community received many Jewish residents, especially repatriated Jews. Regina Viertel had come from the area of Lwow that was now part of the Soviet Union. Her registration card indicates the number 1,905, implying that the Jewish community of Zabrze had already received close to 1,905 Jews by June 1946 and Jews were still coming. Of course, many of those Jews did not stay long. Regina Laur Viertel was born on September 17, 1876, to Chaskiel Laur and Rajzla Schauer, in Kolomyja, Eastern Galicia. She registered in Zabrze on the 25^th of June, 1946. The Jewish community office in Zabrze was located at 3 Brysza Street in the building of the so–called Small Synagogue. Before the war, the building was called Small Synagogue. It was built in 1898. During the expanding work on the large synagogue in Zabrze, the building served as a house of prayer, while at the same time it held the archives of the Jewish community and housing for employees of the municipality. In August 1902, its interior was rebuilt. A mikveh (ritual bath) was built in the basement. During the World War II, in October 1939, the Germans converted the building into a music school. Later, the Hitler Jugend school was located there.

Registration card of Regina Viertel, maiden name Laur, on arrival in Zabrze on June 25, 1946

As mentioned above, the Polish government was slowly gaining control of the country. More and more police forces were created to cope with the lawlessness. The U.B. or Urzad Bezpieczenstwa or Polish secret police force was greatly expanded and given large powers. The Polish Communist Party demanded action. Even the Central Jewish Committee of Polish Jews that was by now Communist dominated demanded immediate steps to prevent Jews from legally leaving Poland. It also demanded that the educational programs of the Jewish orphanages be realigned with the regular Polish school program. Pressure was also applied on Rabbi Kahane to merge his Zabrze home with those of the Central Committee homes. He used all his influence to delay the demands. But now Zionist orphanages and institutions were being watched. The Polish government tightened control of Jewish legal emigration but permitted Jews to move to Palestine. The U.B. or Polish secret police began to follow Zionist activists. A significant change was taking place regarding Jews and Jewish organizations, especially those involved in Zionist activities. The president of the Central Committee of Polish Jews, Emil Sommerstein, was still recovering from a heart attack he had suffered abroad. His place was soon assumed by a strong Communist and the shift of the committee's political orientation became obvious. The Communist members of the committee became vociferous in their demands that all Zionist activities throughout Poland cease. The Polish government took matters in hand.

The Zionist kibbutzim and homes increased the tempo of their transports out of Poland. Then, out of the blue, the Polish government decided to honor the Zabrze home and invited a contingent from the home to participate in the official celebrations in memory of the Jewish revolt in Warsaw. Drucker and some children from the Zabrze home took part in the 1948 parade marking the fifth anniversary of the Jewish revolt in the Warsaw ghetto. The Zabrze contingent also attached a plaque in memory of the revolt. The home made extensive preparations for its participation in the parade and wore their best clothes for the occasion.

Zabrze official delegation headed by Dr. Nechema Geller Behind her stands Rudolf Wittenberg, gym teacher of the Zabrze home, and to his left is Captain Drucker dressed in military uniform

Zabrze children waiting their turn to enter the parade in memory of the Jewish revolt in Warsaw

Group passport for Polish children traveling to Israel. All children listed were from the Zabrze home They traveled via Czechoslovakia to Germany and France and then sailed to Israel

In 1949, Rabbi Kahane decided to leave Poland for Israel and managed to take with some of the children with him. Upon his arrival he was appointed Chief Rabbi of the Israeli Air Force. Drucker was appointed to replace Kahane as Chief Chaplain of the Polish Army.

The office of the Chief Rabbi was diminished in importance since the number of Polish Jewish soldiers constantly declined. Drucker continued his activities in redeeming Jewish children but it became more difficult by the day. Poland was becoming a Communist dictatorship where movements were strictly controlled. Many checkpoints and road blocks were set up and traveling across the country became very difficult. The cold war atmosphere swept Poland.

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