Bendiner Warschauer Benevolent Society

Bendiner Warschauer Benevolent Society Blog

            The Bendiner Warschauer Benevolent Society was a burial society founded in New York by immigrants from Warsaw and Bendin (Bedzin), Poland. The society uses both Mt. Hebron cemetery and the Beth-El cemeteries of New York and New Jersey.

Warsaw

            Jews are recorded to have first settled in Warsaw in the 14th century. In 1483, Jews were expelled from Warsaw, and from 1517-1768, Jews were banned from the city, forcing many to settle in the outskirts. The Jewish population grew, totaling to almost 7000 in 1792. The Jews engaged in professions as artisans, bankers, taverners, tailors, and moneylenders. They were also prominent in the clothing and tobacco industries. Following the first partition of Poland in 1772, there was a rise of fighting against the Jews. This resulted in a partial expulsion three years laters. Warsaw’s Jews also participated in the Polish uprisings against the Russians during the partition period.

            By 1804, there were more than 11,000 Jews living in Warsaw. In 1809, a Jewish quarter was established in the city. Only Jewish bankers, merchants, army suppliers, and doctors were allowed to live in the quarter, on the condition that they agreed to wear European-style clothing and send their children to the general schools. By 1816, the Jewish population of Warsaw had grown to more than 15,000, and in 1910, there were more than 300,000 Jews in Warsaw. The population growth can be explained by the mass migrations that took place to escape the Russian pogroms. Many who migrated came from Lithuania, Belorussia, and Ukraine. At the turn of the 20th century, a Zionist group was formed in Warsaw. Political tensions emerged however between the Zionists and the Orthodox-Hasidic groups of Warsaw.

            In October of 1939, anti-Jewish legislation was enforced, requiring them to perform forced labor, and to wear the star on their clothing. They were also barred from the use of public transportation. In April of 1940, the construction of the ghetto began. Jews from Warsaw and many neighboring towns were relocated into the ghetto, amounting to 500,000+ people. Many deaths were caused by starvation and typhoid outbreaks. In the summer of 1942, there were deportations to Treblinka amounting to ~300,000 lives. On January 18 1943, there occurred a second wave of deportations. In April of 1943, the Warsaw ghetto uprising occurred. It is recorded that about 60,000 Jews died during the uprising. On May 16 1943, the ghetto was liquidated. Germans also destroyed the Great Synagogue (consecrated in 1878). In September of 1944, Warsaw was liberated. By the end of 1945, about 5000 Jews had settled in the town. Jewish communal life was restored, with a Yiddish newspaper established, the Yiddish theater of Ida Kaminska re-established, and the Jewish Historical Institute established. Over time however, there were waves of migration (1945-1947; 1956; 1968) as a result of anti-semitic acts and communist persecution. Many also left for Israel.

Bedzin

Jewish presence in Bedzin dates to the 13th century. Over time, the Jewish population of Bedzin grew, from about 446 in 1765 to more than 20,000 in 1931. The Jews of Bedzin engaged mostly in the developing industries such as iron-ore mining, and zinc/tin processing. A significant number also owned paint and candle factories. Some also worked as merchants and artisans.

The Jews of Bedzin were involved politically, forming and engaging in Zionist group activities. Zionist youth groups were also established. Jewish schools and a gymnasium were built, which were funded by the Jewish industrialists of the community. During the late 19th century, the first modern Jewish schools were opened, offering studies in the European and Slavic languages, history, geography, and mathematics.

During the early 20th century, the Po’alei Zion Party founded five trade unions for Jewish workers. Other communal associations such as the “Linat Cholim” Association for the Assistance of Poor and Sick Jews was established. The institution also provided the community with a maternity clinic and a retirement home. To endorse cultural life, the “Ha-Zamir” (Nightingale) music and literary society was founded. A Jewish lending library was formed, and the Jewish press began its Yiddish publications.

Germans entered the town on September 5th, 1939. Immediately, Jews were sent to forced labor camps. The Germans burned down the synagogue, killing about 200 inside. Jewish shops were closed and their properties were seized. By 1940, a ghetto had been established with a judenrat. In May and June of 1942, the first deportation took place. About 2400 Jews were sent to Auschwitz. In August of the same year, about 8,000-10,000 Jews were deported or shot. In June of 1943, another 4,000 were deported. August of 1943 marked the start of the liquidation process. During the final deportations, there was some resistance that occurred. In total, about 30,000 Jews from Bedzin had been deported to Auschwitz. In January of 1945, Bedzin was liberated. In 1946, it is recorded that there were about 150 Jews living in Bedzin, however many left following the Six-Day War.

Warsaw

http://yivoarchives.org/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=34031&top=1

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/warsaw-poland

https://yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/Warsaw

https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/language-literature-culture/wexler-oral-history-project-films-features-news/features/jewish-1

https://www.yadvashem.org/holocaust/about/ghettos/warsaw.html#narrative_info

https://sztetl.org.pl/en/towns/w/18-warsaw/99-history/138212-history-of-community

Bedzin

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/bedzin

https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/holocaust/0128_Bedzin_census.html

https://sztetl.org.pl/en/towns/b/406-bedzin/99-history/137057-history-of-community

~ Blog by Olivia Scanlon