Zavel Segel
REMEMBRANCES OF
PRUZHANY'S GUETTO
From my early youth, until when I was approximately
17 years old, I enjoyed Pruzhany. I raised myself in my father's home Reb
VELVEL SEGAL and my mother's ESTER
ROCHEL KRUTZEL.
I then lived in
Dantzig. I returned to Pruzhany in
September of 1939 when out break the terrible fire of WWII. The city was then occupied by Russian Army. During two years we lived with
the Russian, and we hoped better times
will come.
27 June 1941
Pruzhany was occupied by Germans. We knew
very well all that happened in Poland from 1939 up to 1941 . A cloud of
concern covered the face of our Jews. Each one made a summary of the sad future
that waited us, and the shock was very strong. The heart trembled and
transmitted to the mind fear and discourages, when we saw the which arrogance
and impertinence which moved groups of German army.
Jews who passed
through occasionally, were hit with fury. The houses were plundered. The
inscriptions in posters indicative of important routes as for example "
Berlin-Moscow ", "Frankfurt-Vladivostok ", " Koeniksberg-Odessa ", were full
with anti-Semitic slogans which were trembling (I could see after a time to "the
elected race" walking in contrary address, bitten by lice and frozen by "General
Winter").
While the army was
in movement, it was tolerable. Some had already suffered and they were not
convinced of the whole scenery. But later arrived the so called "Civil
administration " that was composed by the GESTAPO, " S.S ".,
"S.A.". Degenerate of underworld, of those lower intellectual class, simply illiterate. Their
officials were males of about 20 +
years. These characters became the owners of our goods and especially of our
lives.
Approximately 5 July 1941 posters appeared in the streets
with the order that in 48 hours Jewish population should choose a Jewish
Council or "Judenrat" of 5 members (the quantity of members depended
on the quantity of souls, our population was of approximately 3.500 souls). The
Judenrat was responsible for the whole community.
I lived then in
the house of my in-laws, the outstanding and honest Dr. ZELENIETZKY. The same
day visited us our friend Dr. Mrs. OLGA
GOLDFAYN sent by our Rabbi DAVID FAYNGELBOIM. She told me: "you are
designated as one of the five members of Judenrat. As son of Pruzhany, and because you lived a long time among
Germans in Dantizg, we are sure you have the necessary qualities to represent
us as it corresponds."
Knowing that Jewish representatives were shot one after
other in Poland , and even in case I could syrvive, I knew all that I would
have to support, and to suffer: tortures, humiliations and spills of blood. I
pronounced some words but my father and Dr. ZELENIETZKY interrupted me saying:
"The hour is very serious for discussions, collective interests are more
important. This comes from the sky and you should be happy that destiny has
chosen you."
I became this way
the first member of Judenrat whose members were: President Attorney V.
SHRAIBMAN, members Attorney LEVITZKY, SHTRAICHER, M. MOTIL and ZAVEL
SEGEL.
We met immediately
in a small room (in the house of DOVID BEREZOVSKY) located in Old Seltzer St.
next to the Bet Medresh "Bet Yakov".
Mr. ELIEZER SHAYN was elected Secretary: he came from Lodz, was given refuge during WWI and after
wandering a lot, arrived to Pruzhany.
We were gathered until late night hours
to reach a conclusion with regard to our difficult task.
Following
morning, arrived a messenger who
informed that for order of Gestapo's Chief, one or two members of Judenrat should be presented to him. The
destiny touched SHRAIBMAN and me. We left to GESTAPO posse . In yard we found many of them drunkards, as
well as their assistants, calls " translators ", in their majority
recruited of White Russian rotten immigration , degenerated as their owners.
When we entered,
we introduced ourselves and we said who we were. One of the translators
replies: "you won't live much time ". We were guided to Chief's
office. He was a GESTAPO official and he pretended to have some more than 20
years . He ordered us to turn face
toward the wall. He said that he, SHERMAN, was GESTAPO Chief in the territory
from Brest until Baranovich. He shoot "fires and flashes"
against Jews, saying they shot against
army, attacked Germans, etc. In Brest he said, 2000 Jewish youths were already
shot. In Kamentz 200 and same thing will happen in Pruzhany. I breathed deep,
took energy, and said: "Jews of Pruzhany have a tradition from WWI of
being loyal to power. We are mostly an element
compound by artisans, and we work earth hard ; we hardly have enough to
stay and we never are never busy of politics"
It seemed that my
speech, lingering during approximately 15 minutes, had its corresponding influence. This SHERMAN was with us some 8
weeks. In the course of that time, we achieved some tranquility. It sounds
maybe paradoxical, but it was a fact. He had to make his reports to central
GESTAPO power, and I helped him. I had
to intervene a dozen of times in favor of
Jews of Pruzhany and of Jews of near towns. I had many times taken out innocent souls of death with
fingernails . Another of my tasks was to request that males and young women, be
treated with less sadism when they went to
work. It was a tremendous blow for me, when they shot 18 souls. Were people killed by Christian population.
Regrettably, didn't have any echo our extraordinary efforts to avoid them. SHERMAN just traveled, and there was not
nothing to do with his representative.
The front extended
toward East. Pruzhany become part of Oriental Prussia. Next to barracks was the
limit with Bielorrusia and Ukraine. Pruzhany became residence place of the
Prefect. Arrived first Major, whose name was SHUMACHER. With lot of patience,
we arrived - in our relationship - at
such level that we could speak as persons, and achieve they pay attention to
part of our problems. He brought an enormous quantity of German employees, and
we had to offer them complete housing. The five members were in front of
problems impossible to solve. Our prestigious Dr. OLGA GOLDFAYN came us to
help. She organized a group of women, and during night she ordered houses,
clothes deposits and all domestic elements. OLGA demonstrated marvels.
Compulsive orders
fell one after another. They ordered us to place yellow patches on chest and
back, we could not walk on roadway but on the pavement, and afterwards National
Council ordered to lock in the Ghetto.
I arrived at the National Council Office which was located in Polish
Tribunal building, to listen the order
that Pruzhany became a great Ghetto from now on. Christian population
will be evacuated from city's central region.
Small surrounding villages will be liquidated and Jews will be sent to the Ghetto. We would
also receive the over population of
Byalistock Ghetto, and in total we would be some 20.000 Jewish souls. Our
Judenrat now should have 24 members. The list should be presented tomorrow
morning.
Our five members
began to work hard immediately. Our offices moved to the house of ELYOHU
POMERANIETZ. There we had a meeting during whole night and the 24 members were
chosen. Each member directed a certain section or collaborated in it. This is
the list::
Was also formed a
Presidium with following members:
Judenrat
began to work after some days, and it was a real fact: we were locked in a
Ghetto. Began to arrive transports with Jews expelled of other towns. The first
transport arrived from " Heinovka ". Until today I cannot
delete from my eyes this nightmare. GESTAPO Chief called me and he said:
"Take your sheet!". The transport was compound by 8 trucks loaded
with Jews. When floodgates were opened
could be seen a terrible picture: blood puddles and hit people. According to
was what commented by some person, Germans forced Jews of " Heinovka
" to walk about 8 kms. In the
course of this "march" half
perished, and the other half arrived to Pruzhany in mentioned condition.
Every
day arrived more transports of
near (small or big) villages. Of
Shershev and of Kamenietz Litovsk, and also of Byalistok. The Judenrat
of Byalostok sent those that were "not useful", in its majority men
and old women, women and small children whose parents were detained in
Byalistok in the sad "razzias" of Thursday's , Friday's and Saturday's.
We
received them with open arms. At the beginning they were located in
Batei Midrashim which served as housing for a short period, and then in
certain houses.
This
way our Ghetto population grew, and in some weeks had 18.000 souls. Together
with population's grow, also grew
responsibility of Judenrat in particular, and of the 3.500 inhabitants of
Pruzhany in general. Most of inhabitants of Pruzhany never were rich. Their particular properties decreased starting
from years 1939/41. and we have to say
in favor of our Pruzhany's siblings of any class, that they collaborated in
their way and helped Judenrat to solve difficult problems. Let's see those most
difficult.
Supply: daily official
supply for each person was 50 gr. of
bread, 100 gr. of potato, and 25 gr. of bones and small meat pieces. We didn't
receive any fat . "Jewish mothers: think only one moment what we could do
with this menu!!". Workers received higher amounts of groceries. We should
enter in the Ghetto illegally groceries and firewood, and most important thing
was that "public/popular kitchens" were continually active. This cost
big amounts of money, that came from rich people's donations, of our work, and
of the sale outside the Ghetto of part of our production to Germans, as food,
clothes, footwear, wool boots, etc. One part of clothes was distributed to
homeless. Is my duty to remind Supply Leader SHOLOIME YUDEVITZ for its
indefatigable work. If this activity was well carried out, was for his
dedication. Also, SHOLOIME YUDEVITSH was husband of our dear LENE YUDEVITZ
NAIDUS, now in New York
Health: the
hospital and the urban pharmacy were outside the Ghetto. This meant that we
were without medications. The Ghetto Hospital worked in very primitive
conditions, in Polish High School
building. We should declare officially
that were not sick of typhus, because if not, it determined our extermination.
We should hide each case of typhus, so they are not discovered. In spite of
these limited possibilities, in this sense were demonstrated marvels, and this
was thanks to the high goodwill of doctors and sanitary personnel. Medications
were gotten illegally and at great cost.
Contributions: Of time in time we
should pay to German power enormous contributions. The first time we should
give 5 kg. of gold, 20 kg. of silver, 1.000.000 Russian rubles and other elements of value. The second
contribution was 1.000 cloth meters and 300 kg. of leather. In the third
opportunity we should give the whole stock of furs.
"Liquidation":
it was a very special section. Their function consisted on gathering and
storing daily use elements to satisfy German demands, and also to offer necessary things to poor homeless. The
disinterested work of leaders: VEVE NITZBERG, ABRAHAM BRESKI and ALTER FAYVUSHINSKY,
gave this activity an outstanding place.
The
offices were transferred to Kobrin St.
in the house of LEA MASTOVLANSKY, and
last address of Judenrat was LEBELE
PINSKY's house.
Work: Hundreds
of people left daily the Ghetto to carry out tasks for Germans. Income for this
work was minimum. Germans took a special Jewish contribution of salary paid,
approximately 80%. LEIBL GOLDBERG, in charge of this section, always maintained
a good level and fulfilled this task with integrity.
It is
my duty to say some words about our President YTZL YANOVITZ. It was astonishing
the certainty he had to designate each member in it's function. His serenity
and good heart, still in most difficult moments, won admiration of everybody.
His diplomat common sense was right, and avoided any clash among Judenrat
members. He was for all us a model for his indefatigable work. Of month to
month we saw him more bent by the uninterrupted load that owed to carry.
Vice-President
V. SHRAIBMAN was most popular member of
the Judenrat, a true plain and low profile man, with an extraordinary logical
and common sense. He was an
indefatigable worker, in charge of his responsibility. As judge, he gave to the
Ghetto, internal Justice laws. Indescribable and moving was his rhetoric when
he had to accuse - when judging them - to those (we ignore the quantity)
that refused to assume collective yoke,
and didn't allow a place in their homes to homeless, and/or denied contribution
of goods and effects of value.
With
regard to my work as representative of Judenrat outside of Ghetto, I don't
understand until today of where I got necessary forces to fulfill my function.
The countless daily interventions, and the heavy load of the concerns, didn't
have an end. I looked the means to alleviate the life in the Ghetto. When we
already were habituated to madness of an Major or GESTAPO Chief, then
came another, and we should begin the
work from the beginning.…. German demanded continually, and resources in the
Ghetto were every day less.
Judenrat
meetings were carried out twice a week. The Presidium met every night and they
lasted until very late, with good
results. We should send countless memorandum to German power. One of them consisted on a proposal to
allow peasants to enter the Ghetto in market days so we could
receive work demands for our artisans workers. It was a success and it brought
positive results. As consequence of this fact, entered a great quantity of
groceries to the Ghetto. This could not happen during much time. An accusation
of our Christian neighbors arrived to Byalistok, and this privilege was
annulled.
Although
we were so isolated, from time to time appeared in Pruzhany members of other
Judenrat, as for example Byalistok, Slonim, Pinsk, Brest, etc. They came to see
how we carried out our work, to copy the pattern of our Ghetto, that had a good
name in near and distant villages.
Germans
were so inhuman when torturing us that is convenient to register the following episode: near the
Seminar was a group of German aviators, and its commandant was LEHMAN. This person belonged to S.S. and
he was about 20 year-old. Wanting to demonstrate his power and sadism, evicted
our Rabbi R' DOVID of his house, and ordered him to go with his ritual robe,
his mantel (talit) and the phylacteries (tefilin) with a broom in the hand
walking Seltzer St. They hit him ferociously and ordered him to dig his own grave. Me, when finding out the case,
got alarmed. With a lot of effort, I could pull up the Rabbi of the murderous
hands, and I drove him to his house through side streets. It was very moving to listen the cry
and groan of women and men.
Of 24 Judenrat members only two stood alive: my
friend and companion ABRAHAM BRESKY in Israel, and me. I worked with my friend
ALTER FAIVUSHINSKY in Birkenau (Aushwitz) in the same "kommando". He
could support during a time, but then got sick and had to be hospitalized. He
consumed himself day by day, but he was full with optimism. Wanted the destiny
that I saw him from certain distance, and I could be a witness when in an
autumn night was transported nude in a car to the crematory ALTER was a person of innate intelligence,
and had an exceptional intelligence. As
disciplined member gave all his feelings and body to his sacred task.
The
Judenrat made its own detailed report about the situation, and we knew what was
waiting us. How much privileged were we in comparison with people of Brest,
Slonim, Pinsk, Bereza, etc. whose congregations were exterminated so brutally
as in Brona Gura near Bereza? . We had hopes that our youth could escape to the
forests to join the partisans, if the incident of the shooting in the Judenrat
had not happened; we had maybe remained
in the Ghetto some months until the spring, and many of youths had had
the opportunity to join the partisans.
Evacuation
night, the Judenrat met for the last time to organize a rebellion. Chances were
null, and the proposal of V. SHRAIMBAN was annulled by a majority of votes (23
against 1). Then arrived the evacuation order, toward Aushwitz. Our community
that had almost 600 years of history, finished existing. What passed us in
Aushwitz is known. Most perished in gas chambers. Only a small amount of men
and women were retained to "work", that consisted on hunger, blows,
sufferings, forced work, and slow extermination.
Our
permanency in Aushwitz was a model of coexistence. If somebody had something
additional of groceries, shared it with friends until last piece.[i]
[i] About Pruzhany's Jews
life in Auschwitz, it was registered in other works, specially those of ZALMAN URIEVITSH.