[Page 78-86]

The period before Herzl

The Haskalah movement that had established itself in the 19^th century in Galicia had also put down roots in Lancut.

The pioneer of the Haskalah in our shtetl was the known intellectual Yitzhak Weisman. A few young men hungry for knowledge and thirsty for education had concentrated around him. They had the courage to make the first crack in the conservative walls of the Lancut Jews.

The struggle of the first intellectuals with the Lancut Hasidim and their influential leader, Rabbi Simcha Spiro, of blessed memory, was very hard. The Rabbi fought with Yitzhak Weisman and the circle of intellectuals because he saw the great danger to faith and the Hasidic way of life.

There was a big library in the Weisman house, filled with new, rare and enlightening books. Young men from the Yeshivah followed the new movement and secretly gathered there. They read the Haskalah books and absorbed everything occurring in Haskalah movement and in the Jewish world. These Yeshivah boys needed a lot of daring and decisiveness to enter the intellectual Weisman home. Opponents of the Haskalah in the shtetl used every possible means to paralyze the influence of the first intellectuals upon the religious youth, and many of them out of fear for the Bait Hamidrash rulers, were forced to keep a distance from the intellectual circle.

Yitzhak Weisman firmly stood against his opponents and did not stop his propagandizing activity. His name became known beyond the borders of Lancut thanks to his articles that were published in periodicals of the Haskalah (Enlightenment) movement. His sharp, debated with his opponents on the pages of “Hashachar” in 1876, made a huge impression in those days on the average citizen.

In spite of all the hardships and obstacles, the number of the intellectuals in the city had increased. The cultural ideas had penetrated into the Bait Hamidrash, the stronghold of the sworn opponents of intellectuality. There were Bait Hamidrash dwellers who secretly read the periodicals “Hashachar, Hameilitz or the Hatoeh Bedarkey Hachaim”from Peretz Smolenskin. Hiding the forbidden literature from the eyes of their parents and defamers, they discussed enlightenment problems during their stroll outside of the city. Although they still wore the Hasidic attire but were already far away from the Bait Hamidrash influence and visualized their world from a different angle. They prayed in Bait Hamidrash, in the Dzikow Kloiz, but they read the German classic literature and the most popular German language newspaper: “Die Naye Freye Presse”, published in Vienna, the Capitol. Several of them were the admirers of Yitzhak Weisman.

The home of Reb David (Duza) Tenenbaum, the leader of the community and holder of beer and liquor concessions, served as the place where the Lancut intellectuals congregated. He had invited the writer, Shalom Aleychem for a lecture which took place in his house in the presence of a limited number of participants. The first Zionists in Lancut came from that circle even before the publication of Dr. Herzl's book: “The Jewish State”.

In 1884, there was already a student from Lancut in the university in Vienna by the name of Lans. Lans was a member of the Academician Society “Kadimah”. During the vacation, Lans visited the Tenenbaum family and, while in town, recruited people for the Zionist idea. He actually laid the foundation for the future Zionist Society in Lancut, which was established in 1894 and named “Zion” in spite of Rabbi Simcha's opposition who forbade the Lancut Jews to join the Zionist organisation.

Under his influence, and with the help of his father-in-law, Reb Duza Tenenbaum, a few respected citizens and young intellectuals joined Dr. Lans' Zionist organization. Among them were: Elimelech Perlmutter, David Pasternak, A. Rosmarin and others. When the Zionist leaders, Dr. Saltz from Tarnow, Abraham Kurkis and Adolph Shtand from Lwow called in 1894 to organize the Zionist organizations in the Galician cities, Lancut promptly organized the “Ahavat Zion”, society which had forty-five members at the time it was founded^[1].

In 1894, the president of the “Ahavat Zion” organization was Elimelech Perlmutter and Chaim Wolkenfield was the vice-president. David Pasternak was the secretary and A. Rosmarin, librarian. A year later, Chaim Wolkenfield was elected president and Getzel Druker, vice-president. At that time, Moshe Shapiro organized a group of young Zionists which originated from the Orthodox and Hasidic circles. Activists in that group were: Fried, Tzvi Ramer, Mordechai Hitter and more.

The Zionist influence in Lancut had become stranger year-after-year and the number of Zionist members kept increasing as well as the number of sympathizers. After the publication of Dr. Herzl's book: “The Jewish State” and after the First Zionist Congress in 1997, people were no longer openly hesitant in identifying themselves as Zionists.

After the First Zionist Congress had announced the establishing of the Worldwide Zionist Organization, the local “Ahavat Zion” took up the function of the local committee which was affiliated with the National Zionist Organization and they were affiliated with the Worldwide Zionist Organization. From that time on, the local committees were always elected from among those who purchased the Zionist shekels.

At the beginning, the main function of the local Zionist committee was to propaganda and spread the Zionist ideology among the people which was not an easy task. The influence of the Orthodoxy was still strong and in their fight against Zionism, they were uncompromising. The Jewish intelligentsia in those days had very little weight and were leaning more toward assimilation. They related with apathy to problems of the Jewish community in general. In contrast, the Zionist idea won many people from among the Bait Hamidrash dwellers. From the ranks of these young men came the first members who were not afraid to declare openly about their belief in Zionism and their devotion to the Zionist ideology. In their daily activities, their main goals were to organize meetings, lectures, selling bank stock to finance the settling of the Holy Land, and collecting contributions for the National Fund.

At that time, Zionism was not split into parties or different political views, therefore, the local Zionist committee carried the entire yoke of Zionist activities according to the directives from the Central Zionist institutions. In 1904, the Zionist organization in Lancut got bigger and with it came the influence upon the general population. The head of the local committee was Tzvi (Hersh) Tenenbaum, son of David (Duzi) Tenenbaum. He was helped by a group of activists such as: Getzel Druker, Joshua Tenenbaum, Getzel Glancberg and the devoted, energy filled Joseph Meir Rosmarin. In a time when many Zionist members had to spend much of their time to local community problems, Joseph Meir Rosmarin dedicated his entire time to Zionist ideology as a speaker, debater and leader of discussions during meetings and conventions. He aroused the interest and attracted attention among many listeners from the crow. The Lancut Jews related to Joseph Meir Rosmarin with great respect as being a proud Jew and an energetic fighter for the Zionist truth.

When the Zionist convention in Krakow decided to participate in the election to the Austrian parliament in 1906 as a national Jewish party, the Lancut Zionist fiercely organized the primary election for the national Jewish candidate. They invited speakers and lecturers to Lancut.

When the Zionists were not allowed to organize a Zionist meeting in the Bait Hamidrash, they made it in the Dzikow Kloiz where the worshippers were more leaning toward Zionism.

The Lancut Zionists were active in every venue of national and public life in their community. In 1910, a census of the population was taken in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the authorities forbade the Jews to register in Yiddish or Hebrew as their mother tongue. The call of the Zionists to oppose the decree echoed widely among the Jewish population despite the threat that they were facing for opposing the authorities and would be prosecuted.

After Joshua Tenenbaum was elected to head the local Zionist Committee, the Zionist organization expanded and it became necessary to rent a place for the local office. However, in the first decade of the 20^th century, it was hard to find a landlord willing to rent a room for the “Epicurean” Zionists. That is why a room was rented from a gentile in the suburbia of the city to make it easy for those people who still hesitated openly entering in to the Zionist office. Members had gathered in the organization to chat and discuss, read Zionist newspapers and hear lectures from visiting lecturers on behalf of the Central Zionist Institutions.

Outstanding activists of the period were as follows: Shlomo Greenbaum, Mordechai Hitter, Gedalyah Estlein, Shruter, Yitzhak Adler, Berl Zisapel and Abraham Zawada. The latter authored a pamphlet with the name: “Meikitz Nirdumim” to which were attached an endorsement and recommendation from a known Rabbi who vouched that the author of this pamphlet was an observant Jew. In the pamphlet he tried to prove that returning to Zion was a mitzvah commanded by the Torah about which he debated with the Orthodoxy who opposed the Zionist idea.

The number of organized Zionists had grown and there was no more fear for the extremists. A new home was rented for the Zionist Organization in the house that belonged to Joseph Kalter, a Zionist sympathizer and since then, the Zionists openly appeared in the streets of the city, ignoring the anti-Zionist circles from the Bait Hamidrash.

An amateur actor's circle became active in the new home where Jewish plays were performed in Yiddish and which attracted a big crowd. Incidents often occurred such as Orthodox parents breaking into the hall to forcibly remove a daughter that had dared to come and see a show. At the same time, it was also their determination to interrupt the show. At the new home, a library was opened with many Hebrew and Yiddish books.

The change was also felt in the Bait Hamidrash. Young men became Zionist and openly read in Bait Hamidrash the Zionist Newspaper “Tagblat” which was published in Lwow, or the “Hamitzpeh” which was published in Krakow. There were a few who studied Hebrew with the help of the “Wolkowski Letters”. Abraham Zawada, the fiery Zionist activist, had acquired a big circle of sympathizers in the Bait Hamidrash and his appearance always attracted a big crowd of listeners. Berl Zisapel, his devoted friend, was his right hand during heavy discussions with Orthodox opponents.

Leibtche (Aryeh) Rozmarin was the cultural activist in the organization. He followed the tradition of his uncles Meir and David Shalom Rozmarin who were the first active Zionists in Lancut.

An effervescent life reigned in the “Ahavat Zion” organization during vacation time when gymnasium students and native of Lancut returned home. They studied in other cities because until 1907, there were no gymnasiums in Lancut. The studying youth were mostly from Zionist homes that were brought up in that spirit. These youths were active Zionists in places where they studied. The student, Reuven Rosenblit, son of a respected tradesman from Lancut, Yechiel Rosenblit who studied in Tarnow, had organized a Zionist student society in that city, which he headed until 1912.

This organization had brought up a generation of Zionist activists and community leaders. Belonging to political organization was strictly forbidden for gymnasium students by the authorities. They were in danger of being expelled. But Reuven Rosenblit, who was brought up to defend the spirit of Zionism in his native city, was fearless and as a student of the gymnasium in Tarnow, was among the fiery campaigners for the Jewish National Fund and was active in spreading Zionist propaganda literature such as the youth's periodical “Moriya”. After graduating from Tarnow, he tirelessly continued to be active for the Zionist movement wherever he happened to be and under any condition. After World War I, he lived with his family in Jaroslaw where he became a respected lawyer in that city. During World War II, fearing the Nazi, he escaped to Lwow and was there until 1942 where he perished with his entire family by the murderous hands of the Nazi.

Dolek (Abraham) Druker from Lancut was an outstanding student and a Zionist in the Rzeszow gymnasium. He was the son of the respected public figure, Getzel Druker. Still being very young as a student in the gymnasium, he stood out as an excellent speaker and, together with Aaron Hiter, also a native of Lancut, was considered the most talented student in the gymnasium. Both were successful in recruiting souls for Zion, mainly from among the Hasidic youth when they came home to Lancut on their vacation.

Tzvi (Hersh) Ramer		Dr. Abraham (Dolek) Druker

In the years before World War I, the Zionist Organization occupied an important position in the social life of the Lancut Jewry. Twenty years have passed since the Zionist tiding has reached the city, although the romantic period of the beginning of Zionism has ended, however a forceful and strong Zionist movement has established itself instead. Devoted to Herzlanic Zionism strove to instil Zionist belief in the hearts of the Lancut Jewry to realize the Zionist goal.

A vigilant, widespread Zionist activity was carried on inside the walls of the new quarters which at present bustled with members who came in to participate in all kinds of activities, like get together parties, lectures and plain discussion about currents events. Also, matters of the local Lancut Jewry and its problems were the subject of discussion trying to solve them because the Zionists were concerned about public welfare. Tzvi Ramer, an agile public figure, used the place to organize the first musical club in Lancut, the “Hazamir”, and the first orchestra was organized which had reached a high- quality grade. And that is how the Zionist Organization had become a meeting place for young and veteran Zionists, and had turned into the centre of unstopped Zionist activities and cultural social life of the Lancut Jewry.

At the outbreak of World War I, almost all the members and leaders of the Zionist Organization were mobilized into the Austrian Army. A big part of the population escaped West to the countries of the Austrian Empire fearing the Russian Army. The wild Russian Kozaks spread terror among the Jews that did not leave town. Everything in the city came to a standstill.

After they lost the battle near Gorlice, the Russian army retreated, Lancut was liberated and the military and civil authorities returned to the city. Jewish soldiers in the Austrian army together with young local people below military age had tried to renew the Zionist activities.

During the Russian occupation, everything in the Zionist quarters was pilfered and it was necessary to rent a small room in the house of Yechiel Rosenblit. The Zionists gathered every evening in the new quarters to read newspapers and converse about what was happening in the Zionist world. Hope had awakened when hearing the news about the Jewish battalion that had fought on the side of the British, chasing the Turks out from the Holy Land.

The rich library that belonged to the “Ahavat Zion” organization was entirely destroyed but it was restored with the help of members who donated books and money. The new library was activated with the outstanding help from Joseph Rosenbach and Yaacov Fast, both Austrian soldiers, natives of Lancut.

A Jewish soldier with the rank of second-lieutenant by the name of Morgenshtern, who was stationed in Lancut, devoted all his free time to Zionist educational activity among the young people. He introduced them to the Zionist idea with his lectures and conversations. Jewish students who studied in the governmental gymnasium joined the Zionist youth. The first buds of the Zionist Youth Organization, the “Hashomer Hatzayir” appeared in Galicia and a branch of that organization was organized in Lancut at the end of World War I. The group was organized under the leadership of the young soldiers: Mondek Landau, Joshua Kasten and Aaron Kerner.

The Zionist movement had awakened again even though the bloody battles on the front were on-going. Thanks to the Jewish officers in the Austrian army, the Zionist awakening took place. They were Zionist activists in the cities where they lived before being mobilized and were now continuing these activities in Lancut where they were stationed with the Austrian army.

It is fitting to point out and to mention especially, two personalities: Dr. Rozenthal and Dr. Lichtman, both military doctors who contributed a lot to the renewal of Zionists life of the city, regardless of the harsh war conditions. Thanks to these doctors, The Zionists were given a beautiful hall in the casino reserved for high- ranking military officials. Among the parties, which were organized in this place, should be mentioned especially the festive party of the Maccabees which had included a rich artistic programme and the speech of Dr. Moshe Walk (Yaari) from Rzeszow that left a big impression upon the audience.

The horizons of the Zionist activities widened and the small quarters in the house of Yechiel Rosenblit could not serve the needs of the organization. Therefore, larger quarters were rented in the house of the Shiper family. The Zionist activities entered its regular routine. All the Zionist institutions were reorganized. The local committee of the Jewish National Fund, whose chairman was Menachem Reich, which he managed very successfully in spite of the fact that the workload of the Jewish National Fund had increased. His helpers were: Chaim Luxemburg, Kalman Salpeter, Dov Goldstein and Tzvi Kezstecher. Their devoted activity had strengthened the force of the Zionist Organization in Lancut.

The younger generation did not idle either. They joined forces with the activists in the work for Zionism under the guidance of young activists: Menachem Stempel, Chaim Habenshtreit, Shimon Wolkenfield, Menachem Baumel, Menachem Zonenshein and the writer of this column.

With the help of Miss Pearl Shiper, a Zionist women's circle was organized which contributed a lot to the cultural activity. In connection with the women's circle, I would like to mention the following names: Mrs. Roiza Perlmutter and devoted members: Shiper, Apter, Rosmarin, Milrad, Shpiro, Estlein, Shtolcer and Bot.

The days of the Balfour Declaration had arrived. Hearts were stirred in the Jewish streets of Lancut. Encouragement and hope had increased the ranks of Zionist Organization. The gates of the Bait Hamidrash and the big synagogue were widely opened for Zionist meetings, for local and guest lecturers that came from Central Zionist Organization in Krakow and from other cities. At the end of the war, the position of the Zionist Organization in political and social life of the Lancut Jewry was solid.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire fell apart in 1918. A new independent Poland was established and Lancut became a part of Poland. According to the resolution of the Central Zionist Organization in Krakow demonstrations were organized throughout Galicia on October 14, 1918 during which the Jewish people demanded from the new Polish government, recognition of their historical rights to the Holy Land and recognition of the Jewish communities that would be established in a democratic way, as the lawful representatives of the Polish Jewry.

Following all of the above changes, public life of the Lancut Jewry had also changed. The Balfour Declaration had strengthened the belief of the Jewish masses, of the realization of the Zionist goal. Even the circles that previously had reservations about the Zionist idea, had moved closer to Zionism. Strong activities were felt in the life of the Zionists with the return of the soldiers who were Veteran-Zionists in the “Ahavat Zion” Society before World War I. The Zionist movement was facing new problems and new tasks.

However, the incidents that took place in the newly resurrected Poland, depressed the previously heightened mood with which the Polish Jewry was overtaken in the months of October-November 1918. Throughout Poland, a wave of anti-Semitic pogroms went wild which, at one point, the lives of the Polish Jewry were in danger. The hooligans pilfered with impunity, Jewish property everywhere. A call came from the Central Zionist Organization in Krakow to organize a Jewish National Council to which Lancut promptly responded by organizing such a council under the leadership of Shlomo Greenbaum with representatives of every segment of the Jewish community. At that time, besides the Zionist Organizations, there were no other political organizations in existence. Therefore, this council became the official representative of the entire Lancut Jewry.

The “Hashachar” committee Seated from right: Berish Wolkenfield, Shmuel Zawada, Tzvi Kezschtecher and Eliezer Fas Standing from right is: Nachman Kestenbaum, Joseph Seifer, Menachem Stempel, Hersh Zawada and Chaim Luxemburg

At that time, new horizons had opened for the Zionist Organization. The building of the homeland required from the Zionist Organization, new roles and tasks which required strong leadership. For this role, the Lancut Zionists were lucky to have the engineer A. Shpatz, an ex-officer in the Austrian Army, a devoted Zionist and personality of action. Together, with a group of young academicians with a Zionist past that had returned to Lancut after the demobilization from the Austrian Army, people such as: Abraham Druker, Reuven Rosenblit (who shortly, thereafter, moved to Krakow, where he became the head of the Eretz Israel office). Aaron Hiter, Shlomo Greenbaum, Dr. Leon Markel, Aryeh (Leon) Disha, Moshe Estlein, Chaim Trauring and female members: Roizah Perlmutter, Draza Milrad and Ryvka Shapiro. The engineer Shpatz had turned the Zionist Organization into the main factor in the public national life of the Lancut Jewry. Shpatz's devoted activity was the result of his fiery, unsurpassed faith in the Zionist ideology. He breathed the life, spirit and encouragement into the rest of Zionist activists of the organization.

Meetings and lectures were held in the rooms that were rented in the Shiper house after the war. During one of the meetings, the police broke into the quarters and arrested all the people that failed to escape through the windows. After the intervention of influential personalities, the detained were released and the charges of illegal assembly were dropped. The harassment of the Zionist Organization by the Polish authorities did not scare the members and did not weaken the activities.

In 1919, the Headquarters of Zionist Organization in Krakow decided to organize all the local committees and to recruit new and younger forces. At the end of 1919, a new local committee was elected. A. Shpatz, chairman, Aaron Hiter, Shlomo Greenbaum and Abraham Druker his assistants, Dr. Leon Markel, Aryeh (Leon) Disha, Moshe Estlein, Chaim Trauring, Yechiel Nusbaum, Roiza Perlmutter, Ryvka Shapiro, M. Apter and Chaya Shiper, committee members. As representative of the youth, Eliezer Stempel (secretary) and Nachman Kestenbaum were elected.

Three activists, Shpatz, Druker and Greenbaum complimented each other with their personal attributes and devotion to Zionist ideology. With their nobility, they spread their influence on the entire Zionist crowd, and this period became engraved with gold letters in the history of the Lancut Zionism, who believed in Zion and the resurrection of a Jewish State. Most of those activists were tortured by the Nazi murderers and died for the sanctification of the holy name, together with the rest of the sacred Lancut community during the destruction of the Polish Jewry. May their memory be blessed.

The new committee had begun working vigorously. At first, they began with the activity for the Jewish National Fund. The committee members for the Jewish National Fund were the following persons: A. Druker, chairman and Eliezer Stempel, secretary. They penetrated the importance of that National Fund into the conscience of the Lancut Jews in a very successful way and the fruitful results were not far from coming. The income increased because the donors were cognizant of the importance of rebuilding the land, all thanks to the propaganda activity of committee members. After the “Aliyah” of Eliezer Stempel as a pioneer and Abraham Druker went abroad to complete his studies, Shmuel Zawada became the head of the action committee and Pinchos Tzvibel was the secretary. At that time, the committee for the Jewish National Fund consisted of representatives of the General Zionists and from the “Hashomer Hatzayir”. After the visit in 1925 by Moshe Weisenfield, the director of the headquarters of the Jewish National Fund in Krakow, representatives of the “Poaley Zion” were added to the committee and the leadership of the committee passed on to Dr. Leon Markel as chairman, and Tzvi Kezshtecher, secretary. In time, representatives of other Zionist parties joined the committee and thanks to their cooperation, Lancut occupied an honourable place in the income ladder of the National Fund and other campaigns for the benefit of the land.

The following members of General Zionist Organization, “Hashachar” that were outstanding in their activities for the Jewish National Fund were the following persons: Chaim Luxenburg, Kalman Trumpeter, Pinchos Tzvibel, Leizer Fas, Shmuel and Tzvi Zawada, Menachem Stempel, Berl Goldstein and Joseph Seifer. Between the two World Wars, the following people stood out with their devotion, working for the National Funds: Chaim Habenshtreit, Getzel, Estlein, Shimon Wolkenfield, Katz, Moshe Goldstein, Shlomo Regenbogen and Shmuel Greizman. It is also proper to mention here the names of the female members of “Hashachar” organization who contributed to strengthen the activities and to increase the income of the fund. They were: Sheindl Milrad, the Apter sisters, Chaya Shiper, Chava Shtolcer, Gitl Shenman, Chava Flashen, Berta Flashen, Sheindl Stempel, Ryvka Both (the translator's cousin) and others. In 1930, the committee for the Jewish National Fund consisted of representatives of the General Zionist Organization: Mizrachi, Poaley Zion, Vizo, the revisionists (until they left the World Zionist Organization) and representatives of Zionist Youth movements: “Hashomer Hatzayir”, “Akiva”, “Freiheit”, “Hanoar Hazioni” and for a short period, also the “Beitar”. The headquarters of the Jewish National Fund expressed their appreciation of the Lancut Zionists' activities.

The Zionist activities had branched out into many areas. The ranks of the Zionist membership had increased because many of the younger people and average citizens had joined the movement. In view of the circumstances, there was a need to broaden the organizational framework to include the new membership. That is why the local committee had created a framework by establishing a new Zionist association which was named “Hashachar” which fostered Zionist consciousness and organizational discipline into the hearts of the young and mature members alike. In the new organization, veteran members from the “Ahavat Zion” organization were very active, and at the same time, a solid foundation was laid for a Zionist centre which became an important factor in the life of Lancut Jewry. The first chairman of the “Hashachar” organization was Aaron Hiter and Chaim Trauring was the secretary. Committee members were: Eliezer Stempel, Shmuel Zawada, Chaim Luxenburg, Kalman Trompeter, Tzvi Kezshtecher, Dov Goldstein, Menachem Stempel and Nachman Kestenbaum.

The activity of the chairman, A. Hiter, was exemplary and served as a model for Zionist devotion. He was a spiritual leader of the young people. His conversations, his lectures on Zionist-National themes and the teaching of Jewish history to the youth groups had implanted in them great interest and devotion which were a very important factor in the Zionist education. Unfortunately for his “Hashachar”, groups of young people, Hiter was forced to stop his activities because of an old illness that he had developed in the army during World War I. Shmuel Zawada replaced him and took upon himself to continue Hiter's leadership. Nachman Kestenbaum assisted him in this important task. At that time, Dr. Druker and Dr. R. Rosenblit were the main speakers in the “Hashachar” Society.

The orchestra was founded by the “Hashachar” Society through the initiative of Chaim Ramer. Moshe Feilshus, the brothers Shimon, Berl and Kalman Wolkenfield, Joshua Kasten and Abraham Shenman played an important role in the orchestra. The orchestra was one of the most accepted and admired group by the Jews of Lancut.

The development and the activities of the “Hashachar” Society had reached a high point under the leadership of Nachman Kestenbaum. He succeeded in organizing a drama group which had great success with their appearances before the Jewish public who loved Jewish theatre.

It is worthwhile to point out in these lines the high cultural level and the framework of “Hashachar”. The lectures of Dr. Ida Lotringer on general literature and N. Kestenbaum on Hebrew literature, aroused special interest among the listeners and the get-together tea parties and all kinds of gatherings were also very important.

The Zionist movement in Lancut had won the heart of the young people that accepted the demand for self-realization and joined the pioneering movement. The Zionist Organization had organized the first pioneering group from among the young people who “rebelled” and in spite of parents' opposition, left their homes and families in order to join the camp of those who realized the Zionist dream. They were guided by the following people: A. Hiter, A. Stempel, K. Trompeter and Joseph Seifer. Despite the hardship to receive a certificate (A British immigration permit), there were a few in the first group of pioneers from Lancut that had managed to emigrate to “Eretz Israel” in 1919-1924.

Menachem Baumel, Michael Rozmarin, the great activist and secretary of the local organization, Eliezer Stempel. In Eretz Israel, they joined the pioneers and with their sweat and toil, they helped dry out the swamps, paved roads and worked in the fields in the first kibbutzim. The striving, to a pioneer “Aliya” was overtaken by the Jewish middle class as well because they suffered from economic crisis and the oppressive tax policy of the Polish Grabski regime. The local Zionist Committee adopted a brand-new mission, namely: to help the pioneers train for productive work. To achieve this goal, the committee, with the help of the American “Joint”, established a cabinet-making workshop, managed by a professional cabinet maker, a Zionist, Mordechai Faster.

In 1925, a few of the pioneers who worked in the cabinet-making workshop, emigrated together with their instructor to Eretz Israel and among them were the activist, Menachem Stempel. While living in Lancut, he was already known for his heartfelt poetry but in the homeland, after a hard day's work, he devoted himself to literary creativity. He clung to Eretz Israel, to the prophecy of rebuilding and the resurrection of the homeland, which he expressed in a collection of his poetry titled: “Oyfn Shwell fun Lichtigen Tog” (on the threshold of a Clear Day), which earned him a positive critic at that time. At present, M. Stempel is the secretary of the local council in Kfar Yonah.

In time, all M. Faster's young group of pioneers that he had taught cabinet making, emigrated to “Eretz Israel” and he provided them with employment and guidance. Dov Rozmarin emigrated in 1925, and at present, has a farm in Kfar Yona.

The pioneers' emigration to “Eretz Israel” served as a push for broadening the pioneer movement in the Diaspora, which resulted in the need to establish an organizational framework for training pioneers to become physical workers. A general organization named: “Hechalutz” was founded in Poland with the purpose of establishing training units for future pioneer emigrants. One such unit was also established in Lancut where pioneers received their training to their forthcoming emigration. To assist the local Zionist Committee, a special committee of important members of the organization was elected and whose goal was to alleviate the hard conditions in the training posts by supplying the trainee's material help during their stay at the training posts, as well as financial means for emigration. Thanks to such help, the pioneers were able to over the harsh training until they emigrated to Eretz Israel. In 1925, the following people emigrated to the land of their dreams: Abraham Sheinman, Menachem Anmut, Michael and Betzalel Shternheim, Tzvi and Israel Birnbaum, Wolf Katz and Mordechai Faster.

In the last ten years, before World War II, and in addition to the existing youth's movements which had produced pioneers, new youth organizations came into existence. “Hanoar Hatzioni”, “Freheit”, “Young Vizo”, “Bruryah” and “Beitar”. All organizations had the same aspirations – to emigrate to “Eretz Israel”, and build a Jewish homeland. Until 1930, the “Hashomer Hatzayir” was the only young peoples' organization – the realizer of their goal – by permeating the pioneer spirit. Among the most active members of that organization was Michael Walzer who represented this organization in the local Zionist Committee for many years, until 1929 when he emigrated to “Eretz Israel”. There, he joined a “Hashomer Hatzayir” kibbutz in Nes Ziona. He encountered many hardships during the settling on the land during the years that he was putting down roots in the land. But he overcame every hardship because of his strong character and will, perseverance and the love for his country. Michael Walzer took part in drying out the swamps, paving roads and working in the fields. Because of his energy and diligence during those years, he earned an honourable position in the State of Israel.

When he lived in Lancut, he participated in all the activities of the local Zionist Committee. He dedicated all his free time with his youthful flame for educational work among the young people, emphasizing the need to serve Zionism with action and not with words. He remained faithful to his own slogans, paving the way to his personal pioneering realization. Living in “Eretz Israel”, he did not cut himself off from being in contact with his native city, but was in constant contact with his colleagues and friends that he had left behind in his shtetl. In his correspondence, he never stopped alerting everyone that it might be too late. His vision was that the only way for the young people in the Diaspora to survive was quick emigration, whether legally or illegally.

His greatest worry was about the fate of his younger brother, Shimon, that he had left behind in Lancut. His brother was a devoted member of the “Hashomer Hatzayir” who waited for a call from his brother to emigrate. Unfortunately, he had no chance to realize his dream. He perished together with his family by the Nazi murderers.

After the Holocaust and the destruction of the Lancut community, only a few natives of Lancut had survived in Israel. Michael Walzer took upon himself the task to erect a “Matzevah” for the Lancut Jewry that the Nazi had annihilated for the sanctification of the Holy Name. His goal was to perpetuate the memory of fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, relatives and friends in the form of a “Yizkor” book for the people with whom he was bonded with a thread of love. Thanks to his blessed stubbornness and tireless effort, the “Yizkor” book was published and it remains an eternal landmark in honour of our community.

David Har, the founder of the “Poaley Zion” organization in Lancut, emigrated to “Eretz Israel”

Since his youth, he served with devotion and trustworthiness in the “Poaley Zion” movement. He was an important political and public figure in the city for which he gained the admiration of the Jewish population. Together with his wife, Feige (from the Gutman family), and his two sons, emigrated to “Eretz Israel” and joined forces with the builders of the land. David Har and his wife brought a dear sacrifice on the altar for the defence of the homeland. Their son, Shraga, of blessed memory, a member of the “Haganah” fell during an action of great importance. Feige Har, who was in Lancut an active member of the “Poaley Zion”, continued her public activity in Israel in “Vizo”, “Bnot Brit”, “Gemilot Chasadim” and other social institutions. David Har is active in the natives of Lancut organization in Israel, and had a big part in publishing the book of Lancut.

Pioneers of the third “Aliyah” From the right: Michael Rosmarin, Menachem Baumel and Eliezer Stempel

In 1926, Pilsudski being the head of the “Sanacia” party, became the ruler of the Polish government which turned to a semi-dictatorship. Pilsudski's overthrow of the previous government, caused an economic crisis and the most stricken from this crisis were the Jews because of heavy taxation and the organized boycott movement by the Polish political and economical circles that were supported by the authorities.

The Zionist Leadership in the big and small cities of Poland, faced the need to organize help and a rescue action for the stricken masses by the official anti-Semitic movement. The first order of the day was to organize the asses to a struggle for their rights to work and live. According to the general line of action, a general meeting was called in January 1929, by the Zionist Organization and a new local committee was elected with Dr. Druker as chairman, Dr. Markel, vice-chairman and Tzvi Sauerhaft, secretary. Members of the committee were: engineer Shpatz, J. Nusbaum, Shlomo Greenbaum, Dr. Lotringern, Eliezer Fass, Nacham Kestenbaum. Moshe Rosenblit and Michael Walzer were the two representatives from “Hashomer Hatzayir”, the only youth organization at that time in Lancut. The local committee turned into an action committee that devoutly carried the burden of the Public Zionist work, economically and cultural. The Zionist Organization took an active part in the elections to the Jewish Community Leadership, city hall and later to the “Seym” (Polish Parliament). A great effort was made to increase the income of the Jewish National and land funds. In 1931, when the “Sokolov Month” campaign was proclaimed, a broadened propaganda activity took place for the sake of strengthening the Zionist movement. The peak of this action was the mass meeting that took place in the “Bait Haam” where the admired Zionist leader, Magister Leon Salpeter made a speech.

Among the activities of the local committee, a Hebrew school was founded and a public library was activated. The committee harnessed itself to the building of the “Bait Haam” and continued extending help and patronage to pioneers and helped develop a Jewish sport movement. Between the two World Wars, there was an effervescent Zionist life in Lancut in the many institutions such as “Zion”, library, Hebrew school, the “Hazamir” band, “Trumpeldor” sport society and the activities in “Bait Haam”. A lot of activities were done by the different Zionist organizations affiliated with the main Zionist organization such as the general Zionists organization: “Mizrachi”, “Poaley Zion”, and “Revisionist Organization”, also the activities in the youth's movements: “Hashomer Hatzayir”, “Freiheit”, “Akiva”, “Bnai Zion”, “Hanoar Hazioni”, “Bruryah” and “Beitar”.

From all their halls, homeland songs were sound, sounds of the Hebrew language and the atmosphere there had absorbed the yearnings for “Aliyah” and redemption.

As mentioned above, Dr. Druker was the leader of the local Zionist Committee to which he devoted his entire spiritual, organization and oratorical talent. His contributory character, the purity of his personality and his devotion to the public, made him beloved not only by the Jewish people but also by the progressive Polish intelligentsia. He was expelled together with the Jews of Lancut by the barbaric Gestapo, and shortly thereafter, he died in Przemysl, tortured by the German murderers.

The same brutal fate was inflicted on the rest of the local committee members (except for the writer of this column and M. Walzer who were in Siberia). They were murdered by German murderers in the ghettoes and death camps.

When Hitler's murderous gangs expelled the majority of Jews of Lancut in 1939, the sword of destruction came down on the community. All activities had stopped. All public and Zionist institutions were destroyed and the voice of the Lancut Jewry was silenced. Only the big synagogue remained standing on its foundation as a memorial.

The “Hechalutz” Organization in 1924 At the bottom, first row from right: Moshe and Eliezer Rozmarin, Yehuda Zavar, Menachem Baumel and Dov Rozmarin The second row: Sabina Fried, Feiga Felner, Eliezer Stempel, Leah Margal and Shmuel Greizman Standing in the third row: Hersh Zawada, Michael Shternheim, Shimon Wolkenfield, Moshe Rosenblum, Kalman Wolkenfield, Leib Wiener and Leib Shtecher

The amateur orchestra “Hazamir” with the conductor Moshe Feilshus

Original footnote:

1. Actually, at that time the “Zion” society had changed their name to “Ahavat Zion” and from that time on, the Zionist activities were based on a clear and defined Zionist programme that was proclaimed during the first convention of the Zionist Societies in Tarnow which took place in the days of May 19-20, 1887. There were 48 delegates from Galician cities at that convention. A. Rosmarin from Lancut was invited to this convention where he was elected as a member of a central committee of the “Ahavat Zion” organization. At the same convention, it was decided to establish a colony of Galician Jews in “Eretz Israel”. Return

[Page 87]

Zionism put down its roots in Lancut at the dawn of their appearance in 1894. At that time, there was already a Zionist Society, “Ahavat Zion” in Lancut which consisted of 45 members, which was a sizeable number of organized Zionists for such a small Jewish community, which was under the influence of the Hasidim. It meant a deep national consciousness for the Lancut Jews. The Lancut Hasidim had fought fiercely with the first buds of Zionism.

In the last decade of the 19^th century, (1890-1900), the economic condition of the average people in the cities of Galicia was very hard. The authority in the Jewish community was given to the rulers either by the Count, who owned the city, or by the city mayor. In these ugly circumstances, a spark of a national renaissance appeared for the Lancut Jews that illuminated the highway to the national and social liberation movement.

At that time, the working people in the Zionist circles had shown the first signs of class consciousness. But there was no political class distinction yet because people who did physical work, include tradesmen and small merchants, and they all worked in harsh conditions. The material situation of the employer was not better than the situation of the hired employee. The first to organize some kind of a professional union to improve working conditions were the clerks and the hired hands in commercial enterprises and stores.

In the first years of the 20th century, employees in commerce had haphazardly organized themselves into workmen's societies within the Zionist framework, and in time, these societies crystalized into an organization of commerce workers incorporated into the Zionist-Socialist movement based on class principals, and the necessity to organize the Jewish worker. At a time when, in Jaroslaw which was close to Lancut, already existed a Zionist organization of commercial workers since 1901, under the name of “Haivri”, in Lancut, however, the “Ahavat Zion” was still considered to be a society of a general character. It incorporated all Zionists from every stratum because they had to be united against the fighting Hassidim in the city. The Zionist Society was, therefore, the only political force until 1918.

The “Poaley Zion” influence was tardy in coming to Lancut. In nearby Rzeszow, the activity of the “Poaley Zion” had begun before World War I. When I came to Rzeszow in 1910, I found a strong “Poaley Zion” organization there which was led by devoted persons such as: Fish, Meshulam Davidson and Nachum Shternheim, who stood out with their activism in the cultural, political and economical areas. I joined the effervescent activity of the “Poaley Zion” in Rzeszow and was active until World War I. In 1914, I arrived in Vienna with a wave of war refugees and there too, I found a strong “Poaley Zion” Organization.

In the first decade of the 20^th century, the struggle between the Hasidim and the intellectuals as well as Zionists, was still going strong. The Zionist leadership strove to penetrate the Bait Hamidrash to begin influencing the Hasidic youth and win the Jewish public for the Zionist movement.

I would like specially to point out the economic character of the Lancut Jews. A major part of them drew their livelihood from Count Potocki's big farm as merchants, lessees, agents and middle-men. Tradesmen did not ire workers because they hardly made a living on their own. The young people who abandoned Hassidism left town to seek employment in Rzeszow which was only 17km away. There were no objective conditions in Lancut to develop some kind of a worker's organization. The attempt to establish a branch of the Z.P.S. (Zhidowska Partja Socialistyczna), an anti-Zionist party, failed.

After World War I, the Jewish soldiers had returned from the battlefields and among them, the activists of “Ahavat Zion” Association who, for the first time, spread the ideology of socialism. This was a period when extreme political ideas had gained strength also among the Jews, which agitated a part of the Jewish public in Lancut. This agitation brought many of the Zionists closer to the ideology of Zionist-Socialism, but the push that was needed to organizational cementing of the Socialist Zionists segment in the Zionist camp.

Upon my return from the Austrian Army to Lancut on November 15, 1918, I found favourable conditions in organizing the “Poaley Zion” organization where I was a member during my youthful years in Rzeszow until the outbreak of World War I. One day, after my return to Lancut, Polish anti-Semites attempted to attack the Lancut Jews. It happened on the 1^st Yahrzeit of the unforgettable leader of the “Poaley Zion” movement, Ber Borochov, of blessed memory. I got together with a few intellectual colleagues, sympathizers of the workers in “Eretz Israel” and we decided to establish, in Lancut, a branch of the Galician “Poaley Zion”. My initiative aroused a great interest among the public. At the first meeting, a local committee was elected and the members of the committee were: Hersh (Tzvi) Yasem, chairman, the writer of this column, secretary, Naphtali Laufban, Moshe Zuker, and more. We contacted the central committee of the “Poaley Zion” in Krakow, and immediately began a campaign for the labour fund in “Eretz Israel”. We also realized the great importance of socialist propaganda among the young people. Our reaction to social-political and cultural problems of the Lancut Jewry, derived from our Zionist workers' point of view.

The economic condition of Lancut Jews had worsened when their source of livelihood, connected with Potocki estates, went dry. We were forced to seek means to alleviate the poverty that struck the Jews in our shtetl. In the years after World War I, the economy of Poland was in utter chaos. The poorer segment of the Jewish population especially suffered the most. That is why we established a cooperative which was joined by 180 families in order to be able to buy the bare necessities of food. The management of the cooperative was helped by the economic institutions in Krakow and by the local authorities which enable them to help with coal, leather, potatoes, etc. From the Red Cross, of which Alfred Potocki was the chairman, we received a huge quantity of food for hundreds of Jewish children. The head of the management of the cooperative was the writer of this column and helped by his colleagues Alter Turkeltaub, Israel Tuchfeld, Elijah Oygenbraun, Yaacov Langzam and Leib Anmut. The active managers of the Cooperative were: Hersh Jasm, Pinchos Tzuper, Melech Kesten and Luzer Marder.

A group of “Poaley Zion” members Sitting at the bottom from right: Yaacov Sauer, Wolf Gutman and Yitzhak Sauer Sitting in the second row: Israel Zuker, Wolf Tuchfeld, Tzipora Har, David Har, Wolf Jasm and Joseph Har.Standing from right: Yitzhak Sauer, Uli Milrad, Eliezer Gelber, Yeshayahu Zonenblick, Aaron Hiter. Melech Kezshtecher, Elijah Glazer, Zalman Hiter and Wolf Milrad

One of the important factors of cultural indoctrination of the young Jewish people, was the first folk's library named after Max Rosenfeld^[1]. This institution, which contained 800 books, fulfilled an important function and was managed by the devoted member, Feiga Gutman.

The important activity of the Poaley Zion had stopped at the outbreak of the Polish-Soviet War. A wave of anti-Semitism flooded the country and the Polish authorities accused the Polish Jewry in sympathy toward Bolshevism. Many young people of military age were detained in the Jablona camp. Many socialist personalities were arrested, among them was our devoted colleague, Hersh Yasem. Thanks to the intervention of the famous lawyer, Dr. Leib Landau, he was released from prison.

After the atmosphere had calmed down, we renewed our daily activities. Because we had influenced a group of young people from among the poorer segments of the Jewish population, these young members: Israel Zuker, Wolf Tuchfeld, Feiga Gutman Wolf, Yasem and Joseph Har, initiated the establishment of the “Jugent” society. In the first months of their existence, many young people had joined them. A broad cultural activity was taking place in their circle, and in the winter evenings, the members were treated with free cake and tea. The organization was in contact with the centre of the youth organizations in the Poaley Zion movement. A report from Lancut was written in the “Arbeiter Zeitung” about a campaign for the “Jugent Kemfer” with the participation of a representative from the Young People Organization in Krakow – Yechezkiel Friedberg.

The influence of our party kept rising thanks to the constructive activities and many achievements. We took care of the social and national-cultural needs of the working segment in Lancut and, therefore, we won their sympathy. In this setting it has to be understood about the enthusiasm and response of the Lancut women to the party's appeal in establishing a circle of women whose function would be helping to achieve our Zionist-Socialist goals. Trusted and devoted female members were: Feiga Har, Hana Milrad, Esther Tuchfeld, Reizel Gutman, Sarah Yasem, Leah Ehrenfreund, Tila Zuker, Rachel Laufban and Feiga Milrad, that helped us in our ongoing work.

The women's circle had organized an amateur theatrical group which had successfully presented several plays. All the devoted female members perished in the Holocaust except for Feiga Har, Hana Milrad (married Lashtshower) in Acco, Leah Ehrenfreund (married Osherovska) in Tel-Aviv and Feiga Milrad (USA). They emigrated to “Eretz Israel” before the Holocaust.

The circle of women in “Poaley Zion” in 1920 At the bottom, sitting from the right: Mindle Yasem, Esther Sauer and Sarah Yasem Sitting in the second row from the right: Lea Ehrenfreind, Henia Milrad, Feiga Gutman, Sheva Regenbogen and Reizl Gutman Standing from the right: Esther Tuchfeld, Tehila Yasem, Rachel Einhorn, Feiga Milrad and a guest

In 1920, Poaley Zion was already an important political factor in Lancut and won the right to exist in the Jewish Community. They overcame the crisis that they had encountered because of their bonding with the working of Eretz Israel. The ideology of the labour movement in Eretz Israel and its problems, served our members who stood at the head of the organization, as a compass in their activities. For this reason, we related with a complete negative attitude to the Third International which demanded ideological elimination of Zionist Socialism of Ber Borochov, from our party. And that is how we avoided a split in our branch which joined the party of independent Zionist Workers in Western Galicia which was included in the United World party of the Poaley Zion right. The union in the Diaspora became a devoted arm of the “Achdul Aovda” party in Israel.

After the split, our branch intensified its political and social activities in the life of the Lancut Jews. More so, our branch grew and broadened its framework, a bigger location was rented which became the life centre of the organization. The members – Israel Kezshtecher, Leizer Popiol, Eliezer Gelber and Joseph Har, carried the yoke of the activities and overcame every obstacle they encountered in their path. It was not easy to be active in a Zionist-Socialist party in Lancut which was always a fortress of extreme Hassidism.

Poaley Zion members in 1927 Bottom right: Motl Sauer, Berl Shreiber Yaacov Sauer, Chaim Wolfman, Joseph Rib, Benjamin Zuker and Zalke Kalter Sitting from right: Menachem Shenman, Zalman Hiter, Chaya Yasem, Israel Milrad, Israel Zuker, Eliezer Gelber, Sheindl Einhorn and Yitzhak Popiol Standing from right, first row: Rachel Gutman, Michael Shifman, Shmuel Roth, Abraham Milrad, Zisha Har, Witl Gutman, Eliezer Bezemshtock, Moshe Har, Yitzhak Celner, Melech Milrad, Golda and Malka Yokel and Yehudit Gutman Standing in second row: Gitl Sauer, Shlomo Yaesm, Wolf Gutman, Breindl Yasem, Leizer Yitzhak Gutman, Alta Yasem, Gitche Yasem, Bracha Mondshein, Israel Joshua Milrad, Wolf Zonenblick, Eliezer Shternheim and Chaya Zonenblick Standing in third row: Moshe Milrad, Herz Yasem, Feiga Kraut, Yitzhak Sauer, Shmuel Kezshtecher and Ahuva Mondshein

A drama circle was also founded with the outstanding talent of amateurs from the Tuchfeld family: Esther, Wolf and Civia who, together with the amateurs Klein, Kalman Teitelbaum, Dvora Sauer, Feiga Har and Wolf Gutman, successfully performed plays from Jewish literature. This circle cooperated with the female members from another Paley Zion. We never missed an opportunity to take a position in general Jewish or social problems. During elections to the city council in 1923, we joined forces with general Zionists in the 4th “District” in accordance with the system. We also contributed our share to the task of building the “Bait Haam”. The above-mentioned activities of the Poaley Zion organization in Lancut in the first period of its founding between the years 1918-1926, was under the leadership of the writer of this column until the realization of his dream, emigrating to Eretz Israel.

The balance of that period can be summarized with the important activities of Zionist-Social work as follows: 1) Poaley Zion participation in General Zionist activities. 2) Socialist propaganda among the Jewish people. 3) Acquiring a respected position by the Poaley Zion in the city and the entire country. 4) The sizeable contribution to the cultural life of the Lancut Jews. 5) Increasing Poaley Zion's influence in the city's political and social life.

The above achievements during the 7 years of my activity in the Poaley Zion, served me as a warranty and strengthened my belief that after my emigration the organization would not weaken. With my handing over the leadership into the hands of the devoted member, Israel Druker, the organization would be in trustworthy hands.

Few are the colleagues, males and females, which are alive with us at present and with whom I merited to work with in the Poaley Zion organization in Lancut. The majority of activists in our organization, the modest, devoted and faithful, were tortured and murdered in the death camps by the Nazi murderers and their helpers. Their bones were spread or buried in brotherly graves in the brutal countries of the Diaspora.

Original footnote:

1. He was born in Drohobycz in 1884. When he was a young man, he joined the Paley Zion and was the editor of a student's periodical in Polish called “Sismateynu”. His book, “Jew in Poland” and “The Jewish problem in Poland” were published in German. He died in 1919 on his way to the International Socialist convention in Bern, Switzerland. Return

[Page 91]

Lancut was one of the fortresses of Hassidism that put its stamp on the religious-spiritual life in the city. The appearing of the Zionist “Ahavat Zion” society in Lancut at the end of the 19^th century had created an axis with two opposite pols – Hassidism and Zionism. The reaction of the religious Jewry that did not find a place in the folksy-Hasidic movement and not in the National-Zionist movement was not tardy to come.

Mizrachi and Young Mizrachi members of the leadership Sitting from the right: Miller, Yechiel Nusbaum, Aaron Mushel, Joshua Frei, Anshel Katz, Gedalja Estlein and Gedalja Emgelberg

The Zionist idea through national redemption had put deep roots among the three and a half million Polish Jews that were stranded in the gloomy Polish Diaspora where they were discriminated from every perspective of life.

Under the influence and leadership of great Rabbis that were the spiritual leaders of the Polish Jewry, the religious and the national consciousness had penetrated into the hearts of the Baid Hamidrash dwellers, the Torah scholars and the god-fearing religious intellectuals in the Polish cities. They had joined the ranks of the “Mizrachi”. It should be noted that only those who had the audacity and the daring were capable of removing themselves from the Bait Hamidrash extremists and join the liberated religious Zionists, namely the “Mizrachi”.

If the above-listed characteristics were needed for the Bait Hamidrash dwellers in other cities, it was more so needed in Lancut because Lancut was a stronghold of Hassidism which erected a wall that separated the Bait Hamidrash from the Jewish problems of life.

Reb Anshel Katz, who had appeared in our town, possessed a strong personality full of energy, had a big influence in the founding of the “Mizrachi” in Lancut. Reb Anshel was a scholar, erudite in Talmud and an authority where ritual rules and restrictions were concerned, on one hand and at the same time, was knowledgeable in philosophical literature. Because he foresaw the future, that is why he became close to the rabbinical circles who marched in front of the new national religious camp that had believed complete fulfilment of the Torah of Moses and the mitzvot would be possibly only in Eretz Israel. He joined the world movement of the Mizrachi Organization.

In 1919, Rabbi Rappaport from Jendzhejow, visited Lancut and in his speech in the Bait Hamidrash, he called to join the Mizrachi and his call echoed throughout the city. He was accepted with great sympathy among the important and respected residents of Lancut. And that is how the Mizrachi organization was founded. The life spirit and its guide was Reb Anshel Katz who was elected as the first secretary of the Mizrachi branch in Lancut. Reb Getzel Druker became chairman and committee members were: Elimelech Perlmutter, Chaim Wolkenfeld, Benjamin Greizman and Moshe Halperin.

1930 was the year of awakening for the Mizrachi movement in Poland. A central office for Western Galicia was established in Krakow. The secretary of that office, Rabbi Halperin, visited Lancut and organized anew the branch. A new committee was elected with Anshel Katz presiding. Committee members were: Reb Yechiel Nusbaum, of blessed memory, Aaron Mushel, a known figure in the Lancut Community, as secretary, Reb Joshua Frei, of blessed memory, Reb Gedlja Engelberg, of blessed memory, Reb Leibush Malan, of blessed memory, Reb Gedalja Estlein, of blessed memory, Reb Elijah Reich, of blessed memory and Reb Aaron Wolkenfeld, of blessed memory.

The leadership of the Mizrachi organization Sitting from right: Shlomo Greenbaum and Anshel Katz Standing from right: Yitzhak Friedman, Yechezkiel Wanger, Shmuel Kalter, Moshe Kneller, Mordechai Wanger, Moshe Friedman and Wolf Klaristenfeld

Reb Anshel founded the “Torah Vavodah”, a branch for the young people of the Mizrachi, and lectured every evening lessons in Torah and literature. Under his influence, Moshe Friedman left for Gorlice pioneer training post and Elijah Reich for the Sokolow post of pioneer training.

Young people got organized in the “Tzyirei Misrachi” organisation and for a short period, Joshua Frei and Elijah Reich, of blessed memory, had served as vice-chairmen. The writer of this column, a pupil of Reb Anshel, was among the activists and at present is the vice-chairman and general secretary of the “Mizrachi” and the “Hapoel Hamizrachi” in Belgium. He participated as a delegate to the last Zionist Congress. Among the activists in the Tzyirei Mizrachi, I would like to mention Shmuel Kalter who was the secretary, Moshe Friedman, treasurer and at present resides in Belgium and also his brother Yitzhak Friedman and Shimon Tzvibel. The last two also live in Belgium.

The life spirit in the “Tzyirei Mizrachi” was Reb Anshel Katzs' son, Yitzhak, a member of the kibbutz Kfar Etzion, who died heroically for the sanctification of the Holy Name and the country together with heroes of Gush Etzion, defending the land. When Yitzhak was a youngster, with his pioneers' fierceness and with the help of the writer of this column, he organized the “Hashomer Hadati” in Lancut. He was the head of the “Hashome Hadati” group and acted with devotion, serving as an example to his colleagues with the pioneering spirit which he possessed. Together with Shalom Karniel (Treller), the “Hashomer Hadati” leader in Galicia who often visited Lancut, helped organize a nest of religious pioneer youths.

The location of the “Mizrachi” was in the house of Joshua Wasershtein, of blessed memory, and later in the “Bait Haam” where there were constant lessons of Talmud Bible and Jewish history. The Kloiz of Dzikow was under the spiritual leadership of Reb Anshel Katz.

It seems proper to point out that the periodical visits of our colleague, Pinchos Sheinman from Krakow, a member of the Western Galician centre, contributed a great deal in strengthening the organization. At present, Sheinman is the chairman of the religious council in Tel-Aviv. As a Bait Hamidrash dweller and as a talented speaker, he had a big influence in the Hasidic circles in our town.

Between the important personalities and leaders of the “Mizrachi Movement” that visited Lancut, I would like to mention the scholar and excellent speaker, Dr. Abraham Gotesdiener and the spiritual leader of the “Mizrachi”, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Hacohen Meimon, whose visit was also connected with the emigration of Reb Anshel Katz to Eretz Israel, which happened to be the aspiration of the “Mizrachi” chairman to realize his dream. It happened just before Passover in 1936.

After Reb Anshel's emigration, Reb Yechiel Nusbaum took over the leadership of the organization and the writer of these lines became the secretary. Together with Joshua Frei, who was the chairman of the “Torah Vaavodah”, and others, we continued the activities in the “Mizrachi” which became an important factor in public and social life in our town. It was a part of the renaissance of religious nationalism that led to the establishment of the State of Israel.

The mass destruction of the Polish Jewry included the annihilation of our members who participated in the sacred work of building the land. Let this article be a monument in memory of the martyrs.

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