[Pages 253-256]

1^st April 1925 (7^th Nisan 5685), became a national holiday for the marginalised and scattered Jewry of the entire world – this was the great day upon which, on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem, the first Hebrew university was opened.

This holiday was celebrated in our city in the following manner:

A one–off newspaper, which the Celebrations–Committee printed in three languages (Hebrew, Yiddish and Polish) and which was dedicated to this great holiday, appeared first thing in the morning.

The paper was rich in content, well edited and beautifully illustrated. It was literally snatched up by the Jewish inhabitants passing by, who had already, quite early in the morning, let themselves out into the streets in their holiday clothes.

Our large synagogue was fully packed with a diverse crowd of young and old, men and women.

The celebratory gathering was opened by Natan Gerichter, who stressed the great importance of the historic moment, when the Jewish people had been privileged to open their first university in their home of old and in their old–new Hebrew language.

The city cantor, Mr Rozental, accompanied by a musical orchestra, sang various Psalms which were appropriate for that festive moment.

The renowned preacher and “Mizrachi” public figure, Reb Józef Szymon Koblenz, and the “Mizrachi” activist Reb Mojsze Halter, inspired the congregation with their content–rich words on the events of the day. They concluded with the hope that the Land of Israel would be built according to the Torah and the tradition.

The celebration at the New Synagogue was of an entirely different character. Firstly, the entry to the synagogue was limited to invited guests – representatives of all the communal institutions and unions and to the schoolchildren.

The proud march of schoolboys and schoolgirls, with their banners, through the streets of Częstochowa to the New Synagogue made a colossal impression.

The synagogue was nicely decorated with blue–and–white banners as well as with the banners of all the Jewish institutions. Delegates from non–Jewish institutions also came, led by the Mayor Dr Martuszewski.

Foot and mounted police were stationed in front of the synagogue, but the large crowd maintained an exemplary order.

The cantor Mr Fiszel, with the synagogue–choir and accompanied by a pedalboard, sang various hymns and chants, including an especially composed university anthem. Afterwards, our rabbi, Rabbi Nachum Asz, spoke in good Hebrew about the great significance of this important holiday in Jewish life.

He was followed by Dr Szwajg from Łódź, who was invited to the ceremony by the Celebrations Committee. Dr Szwajg, too, dwelt upon the great national and educational importance of a Hebrew university in Jerusalem.

The choir then sang the Polish National Anthem and the “Hatikvah”, which was accompanied by the enthusiastic singing of the entire congregation.

The event was concluded with the resounding singing of Hebrew songs of the Land of Israel, sung by the “guards”, who came to the ceremony in the synagogue in their uniforms with their banners.

The Jews of Częstochowa celebrated their happiness for the opening of the Hebrew University, not only at their Old and New synagogues, but also arranged, that same evening, a great celebratory akademia at the city's “Nowości” theatre.

The theatre was packed full. The akademia was opened by the Chairman of the Celebrations Committee, A. A. Szajnfeld, who handed over to the guest from Łódź, Dr Szwajg.

At the main table sat the prezesi [Pol. presidents, chairmen] of the Kehilla board of management and its council: Szmul Goldsztajn and Chaim Weksler; from the Zionist Organisation – N. Gerichter, from the Merchants' Union – Mr Sztyller. They were joined by representatives of all the city's associations and philanthropic institutions.

The akademia was opened with singing the Polish National Anthem; afterwards, Mr Weksler – in name of the Kehilla, Mr Janowski – the Union of Zionists, Mr Halter – “Mizrachi”, Mr Kohn – “Tarbut”, Mr Gitler – “Ha'Shomer Ha'Tzair”, Mr Blum – “Akademische Jugend” [Academic Youth], Mr Natan Kohn – “Keren Ha'Yesod” [Foundation Fund] and Mr Natan Gerichter – “Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael”, delivered inspirational speeches.

The Chairman of the akademia read a warm greeting from the City Council for this important celebration.

Further greetings [ came from]: Mr Brandes in the name of “Tzeirei Mizrachi”, Mr Danziger – “Ha'Chalutz Ha'Mizrachi”, Mr Kohn – the “Dobroczynność” [Charity] association, Mr Sztyller – Merchants' and Manufacturers' Union, Mr Filipowicz – “Kleinhändler–Verein” [Retailers' Union], Mr Langer – Artisans' Union, Mrs Weksler – “Ezra” [Aid] association, Headmaster Mr Przysuskier – craftsmen's school, Mr Krieger – Sport and Gymnastics Association.

Written greetings were sent by: the sports club “Warta”, the horticultural farm, “Hachnoses Orchim” [hospitality for guests] and “Beis–Lechem”^[1].

In conclusion, Dr Szwajg delivered a very content–rich presentation in which he dwelt upon various epochs in the life of the Jewish People, starting from the times of its existence as an independent kingdom and in the different periods of its exile, to the moment when the dream of returning to Zion begins to materialise. [He] affirmed that the Hebrew University in Jerusalem is an important stage in the path to the redemption of the Land [of Israel] and the building thereof.

Dr Szwajg ended his passionate speech with the call “Let us honour the glory of our great leader, Dr Herzl z”l, who has put us on the right path to our redemption”.

The entire assembly rose from their seats and reverentially honoured the memory of our prematurely deceased leader.

The recitation section then followed, which comprised:

Ms Wajnberg recited a prophesy of Ezekiel about the “dry bones”, Mr Szmidt sang the well–known folksong “In Cheder”, Ms Fridrich – “And it shall come to pass in the last days” [Isaiah 2] and Ms Muszka – “Baderech Shvi”^[2].

The akademia concluded with the “Hatikvah” played by Mr. Szmulewicz and his orchestra.

Thus, Jewish Częstochowa once celebrated the historic day of 1st April 1925.

Translator's footnotes:

1. Literally “house of bread”, the reference here is to a soup–kitchen, although it is also the name of the biblical city of Bethlehem. Return
2. “Sit on the Way”, probably a poem. Return

[Pages 257-262]

The heart rejoices, the Jewish heart.

The same heart that hurts and bleeds for Jewish suffering and rejoices for a Jewish happy occasion, that reveres [that which] it [holds] sacred and fills with pride with its history, which is rich in tearful experiences and wonderful miracles. The heart that feels that, besides that which we consider ourselves members of the general human family, we belong specifically to the Jewish tribe, that apart from taking part in all world–affairs in general, we are required to participate in all that concerns us as Jews in particular.

This same heart shall rejoice with the glorious phenomenon that, now, when over the Jewish horizon hover heavy clouds and in many exile–lands our situation becomes steadily worse, the western sun is for us going constantly lower down – in this same period, the rays of the sun that is shining in the east, in the land of our forefathers, are reaching us.

There, on the summit of Mount Scopus in our holy Jerusalem, comes forth today the festive opening of a magnificent building for the revival of our People, a university for higher Jewish learning and general education, whose doors will be open to all who thirst for Torah and wisdom.

There, a great work is being built, which shall bring benefit to the whole of humanity. There, the seed is being sown for the newly–revived ancient Jewish culture. There, the Jew will have an opportunity to create and develop the great spiritual values which, until now in the lands of exile, were not expressed, due to the stones that were laid in his path in order to suppress his skills and energy.

But there, a great and wide horizon shall open before him, through his duly developing potential, so that the Jewish energy and enterprising spirit will stun the world.

Already, that, which has been created there, inspires great wonder.

The opening of a Hebrew language university will be an event of unheard–of importance, which will have the potential to return sons to their fathers – to turn children back to their parents, to bring near the brothers who are distanced from us and to strengthen the hearts of those who find themselves on a crossroads; to provide an ideal and a Jewish–worldly education for the youth, which strives and thirsts for it, but finds the doors of other universities locked before them, due to which many of them go on foreign paths.

For the first time in our long exile–history, Jewish youth will thus have the opportunity to find themselves in the bosom of our ancient home, to feel free and independent and not to hang upon the different five or ten percent norms. There, our youth will draw education in our ancient–revived Jewish language, in which our prophets once prophesised. There, they will be able to learn the great Jewish history with which to become proud; there, Jewish students will not be a footstool upon which one treads and is subject to all sorts of pain and humiliation; there, a generation of spiritually wealthy Jews will be produced, who will believe in their People and their People in them, who will love this People and take pride in it; there, our children will find solace from their suffering and the awareness that – our hope is not yet lost!^[1]

This event will give us the moral hope and assurance that this young culture will grant due respect to the age–old – the Torah – will not trespass it, will not violate the religion, but will continue spinning the golden thread of the love of God and the Torah and will help lift up its prestige by building a special institute of Torah in the Land of Israel, as a world–yeshiva for the Jews in the exile–lands, to which shall be pulled all those who yearn for Torah and draw from its plentiful springs.

And from the summit of heights it shall call^[2] – from the tops of the mountains of Zion shall again be heard the voice of God, the voice of the Torah, the Torah that is distant from peoples and racism, whose watchword is love of humanity, honesty and justice towards all, without exception.

And from the streets it shall raise its voice – from the streets of Jerusalem shall again resound the call of the prophets, of our angels of peace, whose voices, in those ancient stormy times, thundered: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit” [Zechariah 4:6] – not by the force of a fist, but by spiritual force! The strongest folk are not the ones armed, who tread on all with their feet, but that which is peaceful, who seek truth, freedom and justice.

[For] thousands of years, those voices of our prophets were carried over peoples and lands but, due to the peoples' battle–lust, we did not harken to them. But now times are arriving, when men are tired of war and sobered by hatred and jealousy, robbing and murder and the better among them already raise up their eyes to the clear heaven and harken to those voices from the high, voices of peace and love, truth and justice.

For out of Zion shall go forth the Torah – from Zion shall materialise the idea, which originated there and begins with the word Torah: “One Torah [law] and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you” [Numbers 15:16] – one law and one right shall hold sway for you and for the stranger, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem [there; Isaiah 2:3] – the motto that encouraged the Jews in their long exile–history shall also come true; Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit sayeth the Lord – not through fist and not through force, but through spirit, God has said.

These same words of God will again ring down from the mountains of Jerusalem to the ears of all peoples and lands!

Painting by Prof Wolenberg, for the opening of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a greeting card signed by the public figures of the Zionist movement in Częstochowa

We, in whose hands the education of the young generation was placed and whose main desire is to train the youth for a natural, healthy and full life in the land of our forefathers, welcome with a blessing the opening of the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus, which will become the new forge for the soul of the redeemed people and the temple for Torah and knowledge for our pupils, for whose training we toil and labour with all our might.

Blessed are we, who have seen the day we have yearned for, on which one of the wishes our people has carried in its bosom for thousands of years has been fulfilled.

Częstochowa (Poland), in the month of spring [Nisan] 5685 [April 1925]

Members of the council of the association for the foundation of Hebrew secondary schools:

Szmul Goldsztajn (Chairman), Abraham Luzor Szajnfeld (Vice–Chairman), Szaja son of Naftali Librowicz, Natan Gerichter, Uszer Win, Zvi Wernik, Izrail Wojdysławski, Dawid Szlojme Zandberg, Ze'ev Zeryker, Mojsze son of Izrail HaLevi Landau, Mojsze Dawid Szlezinger, Józef Szlezinger, Juda son of Ze'ev Kopinski

From the high school for boys and girls:

Directors: Jakob Blatt, Dr Abraham Krancberg
Panel of teachers: Perec Wolenberg, Saul Wajcberg HaLevi, Izrail Liberaber, Dawid Isachar son of my master, my father Mordka Juda Janowski, Simche Rubinsztajn, Juda Cuker, Dr Gerszon Szefer, Sz. B. L., Dr Menasze, Frydler, G. Brokman, Dr Boruch Eliasz Gincburg, R. Kac.

Original footnote:

1. As we already explained in the article “Częstochowa at the Time of the ppening of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem”, the organising–committee for the ceremony issued a one–time publication, dedicated to this historic event.
   In that publication, our rabbi, the prodigy Rabbi Nachum Asz z”l, published his article “For Out of Zion Shall go Forth the Torah”, in which he stresses the importance of the event itself, from a national and historical standpoint.
   If the thoughts of our great spiritual leader, who served the Częstochowa Jewish community for almost a generation and brought honour to it in the entire Jewish world, must be immortalised in “Sefer Częstochowa”, that immortalises its life and its destruction, this article deserves special attention, due to the following lines:
   

   This same heart shall rejoice with the glorious phenomenon, that now, when over the Jewish horizon hover heavy clouds and in many exile–lands our situation becomes steadily worse, the western sun is for us going constantly lower down – in this same period, the rays of the sun that is shining in the east, in the land of our forefathers, are reaching us.

   
   These words, about the western sun is for us going constantly lower down, which our rabbi wrote eight years before the arrival of Hitler, may his name be obliterated, and his bands, seem truly to be a prophecy!
   It may be that, had the world–leaders in general and our leaders in particular also seen at the time, that which Rabbi Asz predicted, the Jewish folk would have been saved from their great misfortune or, at least, it would not have reached the destruction of so many holy and pure [ones], including those of our Częstochowian community.
   The Editors Return

Translator's footnotes:

1. In Hebrew in the original, this is a line from Hatikvah. Return
2. In Hebrew in the original, this is not an actual biblical quote but a title in a biblical style. Such is also the case in the following paragraph. Return

[Pages 263-266]

From the number which the Palestine Bureau in Warsaw has received in November 1924, the Palestine Bureau in Częstochowa gave certificate to the following pioneers: Sz. Zolondz, Rajcher, A. Kohn, N. Szczekacz, J. Berkowicz and H. Fajnsztadt, in all six certificates.

Jechiel Joachimowicz, Chairman of “Keren Ha'Yesod” in Częstochowa, announces that the fundraiser in Częstochowa has been successful. Around 23,000 złoty were collected, 8,000 złoty more than a year ago. We hope that, from the eighty donors whom we have yet to visit, we shall receive a sum of 5,000 złoty.

Over the course of the months Tishrei–Adar [Sep.–Feb] 1936, the proceedings of “Keren Kayemeth” in Częstochowa were: 3,742.65 złoty (of which “The Zionist Youth”, alone, gathered 631.51 złoty).

The elections to the 21^st Zionist Congress had the following results in Częstochowa:

Of the general total of 3,321 shekel–buyers, only 2,391 voted, being around seventy percent. The votes were [thus] divided:

“Al Ha'Mishmar” [On Guard] – 227 votes, World–Federation – 62, “Mizrachi” – 606, “Jewish State Party” – 78, “League for the Working Land of Israel” – 1,120, Leftist “Poalei Zion” – 204, “The Zionist Youth” – 94 votes – in total: 2,391.

Reb Meier Henoch Jiszajewicz, who was a teacher in Częstochowa for 23 years and was very much involved in the field of education, has made a name for himself as a good and competent pedagogue.

In the War–years of 1914–1919, he started issuing a calendar, which distinguished itself with its accuracy and was distributed in a large number in Poland, as well as abroad.

When Rabbi Jiszajewicz with his family, after two years of preparations, travelled to the Land of Israel, many of his friends and acquaintances gathered at the train–station, led by the local rabbi and communal representatives. To the sound of “Hatikvah”, which was sung by the youth who came to see off the Rabbi and his children, the train continued on its way.

At the cell of the youth organisation “Akiva”, a farewell–evening was held for the departure of the member Bratt to a kibbutz.

In a festive atmosphere, Dov Cymerman also passed the “Akiva” banner to him. Members Fiszman, Cymerman and Goldman gave presentations. Rajzman recited a poem that he dedicated to Bratt, in honour of his travelling to the kibbutz.

An Akademia for the 100^th birthday of “Mendele Moycher Sforim”^[1]

A couple of days afterwards, an akademia was held the “Akiva” premises, dedicated to the hundredyear jubilee of “Mendele Moycher Sforim”.

Original footnote:

1. Remark from the editors: This information is gathered from the contemporary Częstochowa press. Return

Translator's footnotes:

1. lit. “Mendele the book peddler”, S. J. Abramovitch, was a Jewish author and one of the founders of modern Yiddish and Hebrew literature. Return

[Pages 265-270]

The “Keren Ha'Yesod” fundraiser in Częstochowa, which was proclaimed on 16^th January 1925, was especially successful, thanks to the participation of the great poet and Zionist activist Leib Jaffe, later a member of the “Keren Ha'Yesod” directorate in Jerusalem.

A thousand–strong crowd, who came together with delegations from all Jewish societies and financial institutions, welcomed the important guest from the Land of Israel at the train–station.

That same evening, a festive akademia was held at the largest hall in the city – at the hall of the fire department – which was packed full. A large number of the assembled public were not able to enter.

The festive “Keren HaYesod” akademia in 1925, with the participation of Leib Jaffe The opening of the ceremonial akademia was announced with a “guards'” trumpet signal, after which the youngsters of “Ha'Shomer Ha'Tzair” marched in, [dressed] in their holiday attire. At their head came the commanders, who carried fluttering blue–white flags, as well as the Polish national flag.

Rabbi Nachum Asz was the first to greet the important guest, in the name of the Prezydium [Executive Committee]. Subsequently, [he was] greeted by delegations of all institutions and organisations in the following order:

Chaim Weksler – in name of the Kehilla, Hebrew; A.A. Szajnfeld – Union of Zionists (also in Hebrew); J.Sz. Koblenz – Mizrachi; Sz. Nemirowski – “Retailers' Union”; Natan Gerichter – Keren HaYesod; Stawski – craftsmen's clubs; A. Kohn – Hitachdut; Koplowicz – Zionist Socialist Party “Tzeirei Zion”; A. Gotlib – Poalei Zion–right; M.Ch. Tiberg (Hebrew) – Tzeirei Mizrachi; B. Altman – Zionist Socialists – HaChalutz; A. Danziger – HaChalutz HaMizrachi; Józef Goldsztajn – “Tarbut”; Mrs Weksler – “Women's Union”, “Ezrah”; Lewit – “HaShachar” [The Dawn] youth organisation; D. Szlezinger – directorship of the Jewish gymnasia; Dr Sziffer – in the name of the teachers of the Jewish high school; Dr Bram – TAZ [Jewish Health Care Society]; Natan Kohn – “Dobroczynność” [Charity] association; N. Gerszonowicz – “Gordonia”; Wajsman – “Aviv” [Spring]; I. Gitler – “HaShomer HaTzair”; Herszlikowicz – “Trumpeldor”; Sztrausberg – “Beis Lechem” and Jurkowicz – “Hachnoses Orchim”. [They] all pledged to assist in “Keren HaYesod's” fund–raiser.

The “Keren Ha'Yesod” committee, in which all the Zionist parties of the city were represented

On the morrow, a general assembly was held at the New Synagogue. Here, the guest gave details on the fighting in the Land of Israel. [He] told of the heroic death of Joseph Trumpeldor, by which the crowd was moved to tear. Describing the plight of the Jews in the exile–lands, the speaker attested that the only way and the only salvation for our people is the Land of Israel.

A festive resolution was adopted, in which the assembled took it upon themselves to aid in the building of the Land of Israel with all their might.

During his visit, the guest visited various Jewish institutions and organisations. He was received everywhere in a very friendly manner and with deference.

At the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Union, a great assembly was held with Mr Sz. Rodal as Chairman, at which everyone pledged to participate actively in “Keren Ha'Yesod's” fundraiser. Also, upon his departure, a great crowd accompanied the important guest Leib Jaffe to the train and, there, sang the “Hatikvah” with great enthusiasm.

[Pages 271-274]

Dear Sir,

In accordance with the decision of the Central Committee to honour the memory of Marshall Józef Piłsudski by planting a forest in his name in Palestine, a local committee has also been established in Częstochowa, in which all our city's social institutions are represented, which has taken upon itself the task of aiding in this endeavour by creating a Częstochowa Avenue within the Piłsudski forest in Palestine. This avenue will be an honour for Częstochowa Jews and a visible sign of their affinity for the Great Fighter for Poland's freedom and independence.

As citizens of the Polish State, we are participating in the general State endeavour, headed by the President of the Republic. As Jews, who are bound with the general destiny of suffering and struggle for freedom and liberation, we erect an eternal monument to the Great Fighter for freedom, by planting a forest in the name of Marshall Piłsudski in Palestine, on land of the Jewish National Fund, next to other forests planted in honour of great statesmen of the greatest kingdoms and nations, who have earned this due to their work for the revival of their lands and peoples and who have received this due to the affinity and gratitude of the Jewish population in their lands.

The Częstochowa Avenue will be established by planting trees (cost of each tree – 10 złoty). The names of the donors will be inscribed in a special book, of which the first copy will be ceremoniously presented to the President of the Republic, as Chairman of the Central Committee to honour the memory of Marshall Józef Piłsudski, and the second copy will be kept permanently at the Jewish National Museum in Jerusalem. All donors will receive handwritten certificates from the Main Bureau of the Jewish National Fund in Jerusalem.

Delegates of the local committee, esteemed Sir, will visit you in the [coming] days and we strongly beseech your whole–hearted participation in this important cause.

The Committee to honour the memory of MARSHALL JóZEF PIŁSUDSKI in Częstochowa

[Pages 275-278]

The people's–pioneering movement, “The Craftsmen's HaChalutz” was already established in Wilna in 1933 by the Zionist public figure, Abraham Katz (now lives in the Land of Israel). Its aim was to propagate Zionistic ideas in the wider circles of the craftsmen family.

In Częstochowa, the branch of “The Craftsmen's Ha'Chalutz” was founded in July 1934, at the initiative of the renowned public activist and Zionist public figure, Abram Luzor Szajnfeld, and the craftsmen's public figures Jakob Lewkowicz, Abram Gotlib, Mojsze Goldberg and Wilinger, as well as the Zionist activists Dr Bram and Dr Messing actively aiding its development.

Some of the activists from the general Craftsmen's Union” belonged to the “The Craftsmen's Ha'Chalutz” also. “The Craftsmen's Ha'Chalutz” conducted intensive Zionist–pioneering work amongst workers' circles. At the beginning, this provoked a certain opposition to “The Craftsmen's Ha'Chalutz”. But, after a short while, when the opposition became convinced that the “The Craftsmen's Ha'Chalutz” dealt only in Zionist and cultural work, a harmonic cooperation was created, and almost half of the 200 craftsmen–members were members of both organisations.

“The Craftsmen's Ha'Chalutz” organisation strove to ensure that members' wives should also prepare themselves for Aliyah, so that they may be able to assist their husbands in their first steps in the Land of Israel. Members, as is self–evident, also sent their children to Zionist educational institutions.

Due to its importance, the Częstochowa branch of “The Craftsmen's Ha'Chalutz” was also represented at the Centre in Warsaw.

From 1935 onwards, the Częstochowa branch, almost at every distribution of certificates, received one or two certificates for its members, who had distinguished themselves through their involvement and were already prepared for their Aliyah. Thanks to this, Mojsze Goldberg, Wolf Landsman, Abram Gotlib, Hercberg, Izrail Buchman and Laski, Szneur were able to emigrate to the Land of Israel in those years. One of the last, Nuchem Szljach [?] also made Aliyah shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. All were good craftsmen and were able to do well in the Land [of Israel].

The Częstochowa branch also received special certificates for the craftsmen who were able to afford £250. Seeing as how, on each certificate, an entire family could emigrate (with children under 18), our branch, during its short existence, saved a several dozen souls from the bitter destiny that put such a tragic end to the entire Częstochowa Jewry.

(May this be some small consolation for those who have remained alive!)

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