The Chronicle of Bialystok

The Chronicle of Bialystok
This is a translation from: Pinkes Bialystok; grunt-materyaln tsu der
geshikte fun di yidn in Bialystok biz nokh der ershter velt-milkohme
The chronicle of Bialystok; basic material for the history of the Jews in Bialystok until the period after the First World War,
(Volumes I and II) Written by A.S. Hershberg. Published New York, Bialystok Jewish Historical Association, 1949, 1950
to read the translations go to ;http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/Bialystok/Bialystok.htm

Translated by Rita Ratson
Section - Title and Details - Page
VOLUME I
Preface
From the Writers – Society for the history of Bialystok XIII
From the Editor – Jules Mark XVIII
Picture of the Author XX
A Couple of Words about my Father – Henry Hershberg XXI
Abraham Shmul Hershberg (of blessed memory)
Bibliography of A. S. Hershberg's historical and Zionist writings -- Israel Halperin XXV
Introduction 1
A My connection to Bialystok and my work with the Book of Records 1
B Professor Moscicki's Polish Monograph about Bialystok 3
C Short review concerning what has already been done to research histories of various communities 9
Chapter One
Short Overview Concerning the General History of Bialystok 13
A The oldest Epoch Era (up to 1665) 13
B The Bronze Era (1665-1795) 14
C The Prussian Era (1795-1807) 22
D The beginning of the Russian Era (1807-1830) 28
E Several important moments in the history of the 19th Century 31
Chapter Two
Short Overview of the History of the Community in Poland, in General,
and the Community of Bialystok in Particular 35
A The value of the community to Jews 35
B The beginning of Jewish settlement in Bialystok 38
C The oldest origins of Jewish settlement in Bialystok, and the Kehilla 40
D Jews in Bialystok, according to German sources 50
Chapter Three
The Community of Bialystok under the Rule of the Branickis 53
A The reality of Jewish equality 53
B The Charter, by-laws, for the Kehilla of Bialystok 56
C A few results of the decrees 62
D A version of an oath by a Jew 64
Chapter Four
The Jews of Bialystok and their Community under the 12 year Prussian
Rule (1795-1807) 67
A The Prussian regulation of Jews in the newly occupied territory 67
B The destructive results of the Prussian “Jewish Regulations”, and the battle against it 75
C The Prussian laws to spread furious wrath among the Jews in the department of Bialystok 81
D Non-Jewish witness regarding Jewish up-bringing and education 83
E The first Jewish print in Bialystok 83
Chapter Five
What Stories the Old Records Tell 85
A The Jewish Ghetto 85
B The Book of Records from the old House of Study (Bais Midrash); The Society of Eternal Light 87
C More friends of the old House of Study (Bais Midrash) 93
D The Society of the Guards of Prayer (people who stay up to pray at first light) 95
E What we can still deduce from the Book of Records 97
Chapter Six
The First Rabbis of Bialystok 102
A The first Rabbi Magid (Preacher) posts in Bialystok Rabbi in the first Rabbinical Court and head of the Rabbinical Court. The conditions, terms in Choroszcz. 102
B Rabbi Yeshua Szapiro 105
C Rabbi Yehuda-Leib Barbi Mordechai Mardishitz 108
D Rebbe Kalonymus Kalman Lichtensztejn 110
E Rebbe Shlomo Zalman, son of the pious Rov Chaim 111
Chapter Seven
Under the Rule of Alexander I and Nicholas I 113
A The zigzags of the “Jewish Question” 113
B Jews and the Russian-French War of 1812 117
C The situation after the Congress of Vienna 119
D The attitudes of the Jews of Bialystok to the Russian authority 122
E Heshl Medalshchik 123
F The evil Cantonist Decree 135
G Bialystok and the evil Cantonist Decree 138
Chapter Eight
Features of Jewish Life in Bialystok in the 19th Century to the 1860s 141
A The economic situation 141
B The two philanthropic social societies: “Bikur Cholim”(society for visiting the ill) and “Gamilut Chasidim”(society for kind acts) 147
C The students of the Torah 150
D The societies of the school: Society of the Torah and Society of Tailors 152
E A pay-off for the right to wear a skull cap 153
F A judgment regarding conditions of marriage 154
G General impressions of a stranger, as well as, one of our own 155
Chapter Nine
Religious Leaders and Prominent Men of the Torah in Bialystok 157
A Rebbe Leib, the author of “The Roaring Lion” 157
B Reb Moshe Zev Margolis, or “Reb Velveleh, ”The Make-up Mirror” 158
C Rebbe Alikum Getzel Mayer Podrabinek 164
D Rebbe Yom-Tov Lipman Halperin, or Reb Lipeleh 166
E Rebbe Shmul Mohilewer 170
F The prominent Rabbi, Reb Chaim Hersh Halperin 177
G The Rabbi's assistants, judges who were preachers of justice and distinguished righteous men
Reb. Rubin Magid – counseling and justifications and “a true teacher”as well as a Rabbi who decides ritual matters. note: “Reb”: assistant to the Rabbi, charged with deciding questions of ritual cleanliness and settling minor disputes. Reb Israel, son of Yakov, a preacher with certain tasks. Rebbi Itzchak, son of the master, our Rabbi Abram. Rebbi Shmul, son of the master our Rabbi Yosef Segal, a scribe and a judge. Rebbi Naftali Zvi, son of the Rabbi Moshe Ifeh. Rebbi Itzchak Isaac, son of our master the Rabbi Abram. The judge, Reb Zev Wolf, son of our Master the Rabbi Benjamin. The good Rebbe Barbi Itzchak. Rebbi Kalonymus Kalman ,son of Rabbi Pesach Janower. Rebbi Shlomo Zalman, our own, Rebbi Naftali Zvi, the good. Reb Arye Leibson, son of the Rabbi Benjamin, a Cohen. Rebbe Chaim, son of the Rabbi Yonah, from Pinsk. Rebbe Yehusha Cohen (Blumenthal). Judgments of Bialystok were famous in the world. The list of pardons in order of the Holy Burial Society. Assistants to the Rabbi who were authors of important religious books. Preachers (titled as preachers as well as judges of ritual matters). 180
H Prominent men of the Torah, born in Bialystok
Reb. Abraham Zvi Barb, Reb.Yakov Eizensztat. Reb. Shmul Slant (Salant). Reb. Shavtal Wallach. Rebbi Naftali Hersh, well dressed. Rabbi Reb. Zvi Hersh. Rabbi Reb Nachman, son of the Rabbi Yakov Moshe Goldberg. Rebbi Mordchai Menkes. The prominent Rabbi Reb Duber Menkes. The justifiably prominent Reb Naftali Hersh. The prominent Reb Mortke, son of Rabbi Zvi Hirsh Garfil. Rabbi Reb Arye Leib Rogoznitski. Reb Mordchai David, son of Rabbi Itzchak Adelberg. Rebbi Boruch Frajdenberg. The prominent, our master the Rabbi Yosef, son of Rebbe Abraham. The Rabbi Reb.Yochnan Aizenberg. Rabbi Reb Chaim, Doctor Hlr (Heller). 191
I Prominent men of the Torah raised in Bialystok
Rebbi Israel, son of the Rabbi, who was the Gaon (a great Torah scholar) Abraham Yikutial Zalman Lichtensztejn. Rabbi Reb Alihu Peretz. Rebbe Mordchai, son of our master the Rabbi Aryeh Leib, a Cohan. The prominent Reb Moshe Arie, son of our master, the Rabbi Zev Charlap. The prominent Reb Meir, the joyful Cohan. The prominent Rebbi Shmul Lifshitz. Reb Leib Slutzker. Moshe Gershon Epsztejn. Rebbe Abram Aba Klejnerman. Reb Yoseph, son of Kutner. The prominent Reb Kalonymus Kalman, son of Rabbi Mincham. Reb Yakov Moshe Margulies. Reb Chanoch, son of our master the Rabbi Yosef. Reb David Abram Kempner. Reb Israel, son of Rabbi Zev Heller. Reb Yiddidieh Perlis. Reb Itzchak, son of Rabbi David Maizel. 198
J Prominent men of the Torah, who were residents of Bialystok
Reb Mordchai Shatz. The Prominent, Reb Zvi Hirsh Boyarski, son of the prominent, our master the Rabbi Itzchak Isaac. The prominent Rebbe Ari, son of the prominent Abram Shlomo Binkawicz. The prominent Reb Yakov, son of Rabbi Yehusha Rozencwaig. Reb Moshe (who gave loans) Rubensztejn. Rebbe Itzchak Nissinboim. The prominent Reb Yerucham Fishel. Reb Binjamin Ishaya, son of Rabbi Yerucham Fishel, a Cohen, Pashkowski. Reb Chaim Hendler (the box maker). Reb Yehuda Temkin. 206
K Chasidim, who were prominent men of the Torah
The prominent Chassid, Reb Eliezer. The prominent Chassid, Reb Nachum , son of the pious Rabbi, ritual judge, Reb Shlomo Zalman, the noble. The Rebbe from Kobrin, the prominent Reb Nochum. Reb Moshehal from Kotsk. 210
L Primary Yeshiva of Bialystok
Reb Moshe Yichzakal Sokolski. Reb Zvi, son of Rabbi Menachem Shor. Reb Itzchak Jewarkowski. 212
M Caretakers of Greatness of the Torah 213
Chapter Ten
Maskilim (Adherents of the Enlightenment Movement) of Bialystok 214
A Reb. Eliezer Halbersztam 214
B Mayer Cohen 220
C Noach David Bloch 221
D The Haskalah in Bialystok around 1880 221
E Chaim Lublinski 224
F Personalities among Maskilim (Enlightened Men) of Bialystok 226
G The Choir School in Bialystok 228
H A quarrel between a Maskil (Enlightened man), a heretic, and an observant teacher 231
I More Bialystok Maskalim [followers of the Enlightenment] Authors and Dignitaries
Rebbe Yacov Boruch (Bachrach). Yerucham Fishel Sznajder. Abram, son of Rebbe Nissin Szpiro. Reb Yechiel Michel Zabludowski. Dodieh Zabludowski. Reb Chaim Witkind. Menachem Mendel Rolitski. Itzchak-Shlomo Fox. Yakov Shmul Fox. 232
J Chaim Zelig Slonimski 236
K Dr. Izidor Zabludowski 240
L Shlomo Blanksztejn or Dr. Shlomo Shiller 241
M Assimilation in Bialystok 244
Chapter Eleven
The Fifty Year Reign of Yechiel Ber Wolkowiski over the Kehilla of Bialystok 249
A The illegal Jewish community and its budget 249
B The personality of the “head of community” Yechiel Ber Wolkowiski 254
C The affliction of the informers 260
D Yechiel Ber Wolkowiski's downfall 263
E The negative results of Yechiel Ber Wolkowiski's fifty-year rule 266
M Chapter Twelve
Religious Institutions of Bialystok: Schools, Houses of Study, Minyans 269
A Historical overview of the religious institutions in exile 269
B The Schools of Bialystok as compared to those of Vilna and Grodno 272
C The most important Houses of Study The old House of Study
The new House of Study. Yechiel Neches House of Study. The House of Study for the Wealthy. Ogess' Shadow of the House of Study. Mendel Graves' House of Study. Tipperman's House of Study. Koppel Halperin's House of Study. Shmul Bulkowsztejn's House of Study. House of Study of Benefaction. The House of Study for those from Pulkowsky. The House of Study for those from Nowolipi. The (new) Green House of Study. Puzshe's House of Study. Wolkowski's House of Study. David Daich's House of Study. Bishke Zabludowski's House of Study. 274
D The Houses of Study of the schoolyard districts since the recovery
House of Study of the Society of the Order of the Talmud Scholar. House of Study of the Visitor Chaim or The Szkotz House of Study. The Life of Man House of Study and its House of the Second Temple (built by those of). 289
E The Houses of Study in the School Courtyard Region, on the south side
Sender's House of Study (Braverman's House of Study). Torah Chassid House of Study. Krachmalnik's House of Study. Renowned Scholars of the Talmud House of Study. The Officers' House of Study. 293
F The Houses of Study of the Suraz District
Moshe Melech's House of Study. The Mishna (Doctrine) House of Study. Szuster's House of Study. Torah Chaim (True Law of Chaim) House of Study. 295
G The Religious Houses of Study in the district of Piaskow
The brick built House of Study of Piaskow. The wooden House of Study of Piaskow. The Argentinian House of Study. Society of the Talmud House of Study. Bialystocki's House of Study. 299
H The Houses of Study of the Chanayk District
The Great Chanaiker House of Study. Beloved Rachel's House of Study. Bekersher House of Study. The House of Study of the Psalm reader. Eli Melech House of Study. 304
I The new Houses of Study
New World House of Study. The Conservative House of Study. Najmark's House of Study. Batser's House of Study. Kacbish House of Study. House of Shmul House of Study. Academic House of Study. Jacob Pledges' House of Study. 306
J Houses of Study of philanthropic institutions 312
K Small Chasidic Houses 312
L Minyans for burials, who see themselves as Houses of Study 312
M Houses of Study who have become null and void 313
N Minyans in Bialystok 313
Chapter Thirteen
Philanthropic Institutions in Bialystok 315
A The Jewish Hospital in Bialystok
The beginning. The hospital is built. Income derived from the hospital. The metamorphoses the hospital endured 315
B The central charitable organization by the name of “Committee”
The role of tzedaka (charity) in our history. The system of work of the “Committee.” Supporter of the Fallen. Reb Lippeleh and the “Committee.” The renewal of “Committee.” It's five divisions. The central role of the “Committee.” The moral strength of the “Committee.” The budget of the “Committee.” 318
C The old age home
Overview of the attitude towards the elderly. The establishment of the Old Age Home. The further development of the Old Age Home. 327
D The second interest free loan 330
E The Society for Charitable Overnight Lodging for Pious and Righteous, and Charitable Overnight Lodging for Caring for the Sick
Lodging for the Night for the Pious. Lodging for the Night for the Pious progresses. The plan to unite. Continued growth of Lodging for the Night for the Ill. The good results of the competition between both societies. 330
F The People's Kitchen called “Support”
A short overview concerning “Support.” The People's Kitchen in Bialystok. In the years during The War. 337
G House for Orphans
Support (aid) for orphans. The gift from a childless couple. During the final days. 339
H The Foundations of Charity of Bialystok
The business matters of the Foundations of Charity. The Registers of the Foundations of Charity of Bialystok. Legacy of the “Houses of Study” 341
Chapter Fourteen
Educational Institutions in Bialystok until 1914 346
A The old traditional religious school (cheder) 346
B The progressive (cheders) religious schools
The weaknesses of standardized (cheders) religious schools. For the Jewish community and for the non-Jewish community. The value of the student as a result of his education. The two energetic teachers in Bialystok. The wild Czarist Law. Further proofs to create standardized religious schools. Schools for girls. The end of the struggle between old Cheders and standardized Cheders. 347
C The Russian Educational Institutions
The Real-School. The first Jewish-Russian Folkschools. Institutionalized schools for beginner students. Jaffe's Russian-Jewish beginner's school. More schools in Russian. Schools for girls. The effect of the Russian schools on the youth. 354
D The Handworker's School
Overview of the attitude towards work and craft. The rise of the handwork school in Bialystok. The ravage that the Germans caused. The school 's inventory. The school's budget. The condition of the handworker's school after the war. The value of the handworker's school. 360
E The Jewish Professional Women's School of Bialystok 369
F The first Jewish National and Religious Synthesis Schools
Wisotski's School of Torah study. The religious schools for those who learn Talmud. 370
G Yeshivas of Bialystok and the major Yeshivas
A very short overview of Yeshivas. The first head of Yeshivas in Bialystok. Head of Yeshivas who were well-known personalities. The exceptional head of the Yeshiva, Rebbe Pinchas Moshe Gordon. The proof to build a Yeshiva in a large building of their own. 375
H The first kindergarten in Bialystok
The beginning of the long story. The changes The War brought. The arguments with Mrs. Meilach. The kindergarten transfers to the Yiddishists. 381
Chapter Fifteen
National and Cultural Societies and Institutions 389
A The Society: Love of Zion
The great role of The Society. “Tent of Moshe” 389
B Society of the Torah 392
C “Society who spread the Haskalah Movement” in the district of Bialystok
The general purposes of The Society. The leaders of the Bialystok district. 393
D The first Zionist Choir 395
E The Teacher-Student Organization
Before The War. During The War. After The War. 396
F “Commi” Organization, or Society for Mutual Aid to the Employed 401
G The organization, “Jewish Talent” 402
H The Library of Organizations 404
I The Society for those who love ancient languages
The goals of the Society. The discussions. The young society members. Hebrew Publication. 404
J Newspapers of Bialystok 408
Chapter Sixteen
Personalities in Bialystok 410
A Rabbis of the Crown of Bialystok
The quality (essence) of the Crown's Rabbi of Bialystok. Yehusha Sztejnberg. Reb Shlomo Zalman Bendet. Mayer Markus. Doctor Yosef Mohilewer. 410
B Writers born in Bialystok, or inhabitants of Bialystok 414
C Bialystok residents who excelled, distinguished themselves, in various fields of talent 425
D Residents of Bialystok who acquired fame, renown, in various other fields 426
E Personalities who excelled with character and good deeds
Abram Trop. Gershon Sztejn. Yerucham Mowszowicz. Moshe Mordchai Manisewicz. Reb Abram, Cohan , (Abraml from Paris). 429
F Doctor Josef Chazanowicz
His ancestry. His education. His family tragedy. His behavior. His love for Israel. Moshe Granowski. His Zionism. His love for the Jewish people. His manner of living. His work for the land of Israel. His work for the National Library. His final years. His death. His funeral. 432
Appendix 1
The First Sources in the Book of Records of Tiktin Concerning
Communities of Bialystok 443
Appendix 2
The Polish Text of Branicki's Statute of the Community of Bialystok 448
Appendix 3
Wording on Gravestones
Gravestones of neighboring Rabbis in the cemetery in Bialystok. About the
character of the text on the gravestones. 455
Index of People 465
Index of Cities 477
Computation of Years according to Jewish and Christian Calendars 480

VOLUME II
Introduction
From the Editors – History of the Society of Bialystok 1
Chapter One
The Textile Industry of Bialystok up to 1880 5
A Bialystok as a business center
Jews, wealthy landowners and those of the middle class. The development of Jewish business in the Bialystok region and Bialystok. The Zelver Market. 5
B The beginning of textile industry in the region of Bialystok
In Slonim and in Ruzhany. Senator Orshenowski's journey. The situation of the textile industry in the Province of Grodno in 1815. 11
C The textile industry in the Province of Grodno in 1828
In the city of Grodno and its circle. In the city of Wolkowisk. In Slonim and in the circle of Slonim. In the Prussian circle. In the circle of Kobrin. Around Bialystok. A concept concerning the general situation. 17
D The reasons for the development of the textile industry in Bialystok 22
E The first Jewish textile manufacturers in Bialystok
The first Perlis Bank building. Sender Bloch's factory. Nochum Mintz's factory. Eliezer Halbersztam's factory. Dodieh Zabludowski's factory. Nch. David Bloch's factory. David Abram Kempner's Factory. Jewish factories in the years of 1850-1880. Betsalel Nowik and Sons. Israel Trilling and Son. David Hubinski. Aaron Surazski. 28
F Jewish factory towns
Horodok (Grodek). Knyszyn. Ruzhany. 38
Chapter Two
The Textile Industry in Bialystok in the Years 1880-1900 41
A The fast growth of the textile industry of Bialystok
The manufacturing in kunstvoll (German word for artistic/ornate) 41
B Bank buildings, business buildings (selling merchandise), commissioners 44
C The relationship between manufacturer and commissioner in the textile industry of Bialystok 47
D The numbers for the year 1898 49
E An alphabetical list of manufacturers up to 1900 54
F An alphabetical list of the cottage industry of home weavers up to 1900 70
G The silk-textile industry in Bialystok 73
Chapter Three
The Jewish Worker of Bialystok up to 1900 74
A Knowledge concerning Jewish textile-workers in the year 1828 74
B General characteristics of the Jewish textile worker
The relationship of the Jewish weaver toward his landlord. 77
C The weavers' strikes
The battle against the home weavers. The great strike of 1894. The organization of the weavers. 79
D About the number and condition of Jewish workers in Bialystok in 1900
Textile workers. Tanners. Cigarette makers. Bakers. Tailors. Key makers (Locksmiths) and Tinsmen. Furniture makers. Building crafts and others. Mechanical workshops and metal industry. Steam mills. A Jewish beer brewery. 84
E The worker becomes drawn into the political struggle
The first pioneers of the political struggle. The second strike against the home weavers. Bialystok becomes the temporary (provisional) center of the Bund (Jewish social organization in Poland). 91
Chapter Four
The stormy years of 1900-1907 96
A The crisis of 1900 96
B The rise of the Worker's movement
The strengthened activity of the Bund. The massacre of September 12, 1904. The response to the events of January 9, 1905. 98
C The anarchists, their terror, their tactics
Propaganda through deed. Terrorist acts. 103
D The power of the illegal organizations 108
E Two social organizational goals in Bialystok
The influence of the revolutionary parties. The Zionists in Bialystok. The Poale Zionism. 111
Chapter Five
The Massacre of 1905 and the Great Pogrom of Bialystok 114
A The first massacres – July 30, 1905
The names of those massacred. 114
B The second massacre – October 18, 1905
The names of those who suffered 115
C The general reason for pogroms in 1905-1906 116
D The Pogrom of June 1-3, 1906
The evening before the pogrom. The first day. The second day. The official version. The blood sum-total. The storm in the Russian Duma (Council). 117
E The sacred martyrs 125
F The aid for those who suffered
The committee's income. The committee's capital expenditure. The foremen of aid. 127
G The memorial 131
H The punishment to those who carried out the pogroms
The Lecherlecher Trial of 1907. The death sentences from part of SR Maximalists 132
Chapter Six
In the Years of 1908-1914 135
A The textile industry of Bialystok further develops 135
B The Jewish weaver of Bialystok reaches the mechanical loom
Jews work only at hand looms. Jewish weavers begin the struggle for their justice. The question of The Sabbath. The further development in the years of 1908-1909. 136
C The condition of Jewish work in 1912
Jewish work in the district of Bialystok. 140
D The old state of just and proper treatment, and our participation, and the Duma elections
Jewish election workers from Bialystok. 142
E The two newspapers of Bialystok 145
F The last two meat tax budgets 147
Chapter Seven
The Reconstruction of the Old Community Institutions 151
A The Talmud Torah
The first mandatory schools in the Jewish communities. The internal order of the Talmud Torah school. Free institutions of learning. Sephardic and Ashkenazi Talmud Torahs. The Talmud Torahs of Bialystok come together. In a new location with a new face. 151
B The city school or the Synagogue
The old city school. Building begins. The new school is completed. During the “fearful days” (New Year's Day, Day of Atonement, and days between), and at state or gala opportunities. The school's budget. 158
C The hospital for the poor
The hospital gets a new building. The circumstance in 1933. 163
D The Mikvehs
Mikveh in the Jewish tradition. The old Mikveh. The new Mikveh. 164
E The sacred cemeteries and Chevra Kadisha
The grave according to Jewish Law. Chevra Kadisha. The first sacred cemetery in Bialystok. Where did Jews of Bialystok inter their dead? The second sacred cemetery. The new sacred cemetery. The existence of the old Chevra Kadisha. 167
Chapter Eight
Bialystok during the Years of the First World War 175
A In the first War year
The turmoil at the beginning of The War. The difficult condition of all the social institutions. The committee for homeless and those who suffered in the War. Under siege condition. Bialystok becomes evacuated. How the Germans entered Bialystok. 175
B Bialystok organizes itself under the Germans
The Citizen's Committee. The Militia. The contribution of 300,000 marks. The head of the city and the peasants' council (farmers' council). 183
C The Hunger regime under the Germans 191
D The death toll of the Jewish population during the time of the occupation 194
E The strict regulations of the occupation authority 196
F Businesses during the time of The War 198
G The Jewish textile industry during the time of the occupation
Requisitions. The entire industry receives orders for goods. In 1918, only privileged manufacturers remain. 199
Chapter Nine
Jewish Organized Society during the War Years 205
A The cooperatives or consumer organizations
The central consumer organization. The remaining organizations. The cheap store for youth organizations. The cooperative bakery. 205
B The inexpensive and free kitchens
The people's kitchen. The school kitchen. The citizen's kitchen. The worker's kitchen. The kitchen at the Talmud Torah. 208
C The Women's committee
Help for reservists and poor families. The workhouse. Clothing for those without clothing. The core of the spirit. The women's gallery for orphans. 210
D Organizations of merchants and of house owners
The “Buyer-organization.” The organization for landlords 214
E Zionist Activities
The Zionist “coordinator”. Renewal of “The Hebrew Movement of people who love ancient languages.” Various Hebrew courses. The Hebrew Children's Pre School and other kindergartens. Hebrew afternoon school. Educational courses. The movement to establish Hebrew Schools. 216
F In the Leftist circles
The attack on the Community Council. The proclamation against the German regime. The agreement against the Community Council. 221
G The awakened striving for fine arts
The organization “Jewish Talent.” The “Invitation.” 224
Chapter Ten
The Community Council and its Activity 227
A The Community Council becomes organized
The transition time. The thought concerning a Kehilla organization. The Community Council's task. The innermost workings of the Community Council. 227
B The first step and the first crisis
The “ judgment” is chosen. The Community Council takes charge of the community institutions. Relationship with the reigning authority. The first opposition to the Community Council. 233
C The question concerning an enforcer
The free will tax. The first “enforcer”. 237
D The various incomes of the Community Council
The sale of meat. Commerce (trade) of products. The foreign support. Support from the City management. The women's committee is created. 243
E The Community Council as the provider of the Jewish population 249
F The Community Council as a central institution and the battle against it
New predictions in the community institutions – conflicts. The returned letters through the Community Council. 252
G The Community Council as the defender of Jewish interests and rights
The battle against speculation 255
H The Community Council to learn the Hebrew language 258
I The work house for women 259
J Ups and downs of the finances in the years of 1917-1918
The money crisis beginning in 1917. The project of a new estimate. The situation becomes easier in 1918. The existence of the aid committee. The distribution list for American money. 261
K The end of the first Central Committee
“culture communities.” Revolution and soldiers' council. The new provisional democratic community. 266
Chapter Eleven
From 1919 to the mid 1930's 269
A The era of the Democratic community
The elections and the results of the elections. The first step of the democratic community. The sorrowful beginning of the Polish reign. A new era of productive activity. Jews boycott the city managing committee. The Joint department and the first funds of the Relief Committee of Bialystok. A revision of the government. Jews become under privileged by the magistrate. Dissatisfaction with the community. The Poles leave Bialystok. 269
B A month under the Bolsheviks 281
C The false-accusations (frame-ups) of Jews of Bialystok 284
D The community in the 1920's 287
E Jewish participation in industry in the years of 1919-1921 289
F Zigzags in industry of Bialystok in the 1920's and beginning of 1930's
The crisis in the years of 1924-1926. The vitality and ability for competition of the textile industry of Bialystok. 292
G Textile industry of Bialystok in 1936
Sokol and Zilberfenik. Shmul Citron. Aisr Szpiro. Further development 299
H The Jewish moneylender after the War 303
Chapter Twelve
Jewish Educational Institutions since the Occupation 305
A The general picture during the occupation 305
B Improving and modernizing the Talmud Torah 306
C The Hebrew public schools
The “The First Hebrew School.” “The Second Hebrew School”. 309
D The Hebrew Gymnasium (High Schools) 311
E The academic public schools 315
F The “Highly Educated” 317
G The Jewish schools of the Tsisha (YiddishSchool)
The “Youth-Club” schools. The Peretz Orphanage. The Grosser School. The Mendele School. The Kindergarten. The Jewish High School (Gymnasium). The number of students of the Tsisha Schools. The weekly Shane Plan of a seven class Tsisha School in Bialystok. The management of the schools. The Bialystok division of Tsisha. The interior and the fundamental principles of the Jewish school. 319
H The standardized Cheders of the period after the War
The 2-language, 7-class school by Eliezer Ecksztejn. Elson Elementary School. House of Daveer by Mordechai Boyarski. The school “ Flag of Israel” by Abram Goldberg. “Isud Hatorah” (Erecting the Torah). The Orthodox School by Israel Mayer Rubinsztejn. 330
I The Yeshivas of Bialystok after the time of the occupation
The Kibbutz of Bialystok. The Yeshiva of Morals of Novagrodok or “Bais Yosef” 333
J The Bais Yakov Schools 339
K Private beginner schools for girls
Girls School by L. C. Bogdanowski. Girls School by L. Greenhojz 340
L The Jewish-Polish private high schools (Gymnasiums)
Gymnasium by Dr. S. Gutman. Gymnasium by D. Druskin. Gymnasium by Zeligman, Lebenhof, and Deretszinski. The social co-education community. 341
M The Polish war time Folkschools in Bialystok 344
N The Jewish libraries of Bialystok
The Shalom Aleichem Library. The Library of Study of the Kehilla of Bialystok. The small Hebrew Gymnasium Library. David Suchowolski's Hebrew Children's Library. 345
Chapter Thirteen
Looking Back and General View (survey) 349
A General impression of Bialystok in 1880 349
B The bad situation of the community institutions in 1880 353
C Bialystok develops 355
D General characteristics, features of the Bialystok Kehilla 358
E A word of farewell 366
Index of People