Remember Jewish Urzedow

Pronunciation: Er-zed-ov

HISTORY OF JEWISH URZEDOW

In 1566, King Zygmunt August II banned the settlement of Jews in Urzedow. It was upheld until at least 1860, however despite the ban some Jews settled in the town -- as noted by early complaints from Catholic residents. In 1781, 11 Jews lived in Urzedow. In 1889, 242 Jews lived in town. By 1900, 303 Jews lived in town out of 3,620 people. In 1921, only 284 Jews lived in town. In 1939, just before the outbreak of World War II, about 40 Jewish families lived in Urzedow -- e.g., 509 Jews. Jews also lived in nearby communities of Dzierzkowice (population of Jewish residents unknown) and Chodel (750-950 Jews).

In the interwar period, the community managed a synagogue, beit midrash, mikvah, ritual slaughterhouse and cemetery. A Talmud-Torah school and private cheder were also active in Urzedow. In the second half of the 1930s, attacks on Jewish merchants and traveling traders took place in the settlement of Urzedow and nearby. Throughout the 1930s, Abram Wojnsztok was the rabbi.

URZEDOW DURING THE HOLOCAUST

On September 23, 1939, as a result of the German occupier's policy, Jewish children were removed from the public schools. From January 5, 1940, Jews were forced to wear a band with the star of David on their left arm. The Germans created a Jewish police force that consisted of 10 individuals, aged 20-30. It was headed by a Jew from Krasnik. His deputy was Manasze Szejnbrum, who was extremely cruel to the Jewish population.

In May 1941, Jews from Wawolnica were deported to the Urzedow ghetto. At the end of that year, 70 Jews from Vienna were forcibly relocated to Urzedow. The ghetto population was as follows: In March 1941 -- 401 people, in October -- 549 people, in June 1942 -- 541 people. The liquidation of the ghetto took place in October 1942. All those who were able to work were transported to the Budzyn camp, and the others were taken to the Krasnik ghetto, from where in November 1942 they were sent to the Nazi extermination camp in Belzec. At this point, the Jewish community ceased to exist.

Some Jewish partisan activity took place in the Urzedow area: 15 young Jews were hiding in the forest between the suburbs of Beczyn and the village of Chruslanki. They managed to survive half a year in hiding, after which they were killed by the Germans. Other Jews were in hiding, among others in the Dzierzkowski forest, from where they came to Urzedow to buy food from the peasants. Non-Jews who helped Jews included Julian Dzikowski, Jan Smolinski and Mazurek.

Please review the site content below. Zachor - We Remember.
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[History of the Jews of Urzedow - in Polish]
[Alphabetical List of Jewish Population of Modliborzyce in 1942]
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