Part 1 - KRAKOW - April 2014

I have, as many people know, been researching my family for a good many years, hitting dead ends, & then going on to a different branch of the family, & eventually coming back to the main parts. Some time ago I decided to concentrate on my Mothers Family, the GARBER'S (GERBER Polish), mainly because she was the closest relative that was born in the PALE of SETTLEMENT, & I had I believed a starting point with her. 

Rose GARBER, My Mother Abt 1915

As you possibly know most of the previous generations of our families, at least those that were ASHKENAZI, were born in what became known as the PALE of SETTLEMENT, this was an area that basically was the whole of the Western area of the Russian Empire, devised by Catherine the Great (who was actually GERMAN), to protect RUSSIA in case of invasion from European countries. This meant the Jews were first to suffer, just like in WWII when the GERMANS invaded RUSSIA.

MAP of PALE of SETTLEMENT

As things have turned out, at least up to now, I still haven’t been able to ascertain exactly when she or her Siblings were Born from any documents, in what was then RUSSIA (today POLAND). Most Jews lived in SHTETLS, which were small towns, as they weren’t allowed to live in the cities until later in the 20^th Century. I’m using 1900 as the year my Mother was Born, though it could have been as early as 1896 from documents found on line. Having spent about 12 months researching my Mothers Family in POLAND with the aid of Jakub CZUPRYNSKI, a Genealogist in KRAKOW, Joan & I eventually arrived there in April 2014.

We started by visiting KAZAMIERZ, which originally was a separate town from KRAKOW, & for a time was even in a separate country AUSTRIA, whilst KRAKOW was in POLAND & forbidden to Jews. I had been before with a LUBAVITCH group about 5 years previously, when I came with my son Sean to AUSWITCH-BERKENAU. This time we again wandered the elongated square called SZEROKA Street, (which means Wide) which is full of Jewish themed restaurants & bars. Helena RUBINSTEIN the “Cosmetic Queen” was Born here at No.14. 

JOAN in KAZAMIERZ

                               JEWISH TYPE RESTAURANTS

More importantly there are also a number of SYNAGOGUES, the Old JEWISH CEMETERY, & finally the Monument to the 65,000 JEWS of KRAKOW who were murdered by the NAZI’S, this out of a total population of about 240,000. Today the population is about 750,000 with about 1,000 JEWS, however only about 200 of them identify themselves as members of the JEWISH community. The last JEW left KAZAMIERZ in 1968, & all the "JEWISH Restaurants & bars" are run by POLES.

                  DEREK by MEMORIAL

REMU SYNAGOGUE

POPPERA SYNAGOGUE

SYNAGOGUE in KAZAMIERZ

In the afternoon we visited the other sights in KRAKOW guided by Jacob, these included the site of the GHETTO at PODGORZE, on the opposite bank of the VISTULA river, which is now an open square where Sculpted large metal chairs have been placed to signify the furniture of the JEWS which was burned in the square after they had been sent on the transports to the DEATH CAMPS. On one corner of the square is a pharmacy called "Under the Eagle", which was owned by Tadeusz PANKIEWICZ  throughout the time the GHETTO was in use, & he & his staff risked their lives to help the Jews. In 1983 he was awarded recognition as a "Righteous Amongst the Nations".

KRAKOW PODGORZE PHARMACY 

Metal Chair Sculpture in PODGORZE

Close by we also visited the factory of Oskar SCHINDLER where he employed over 1,000 Jewish people, & who he saved from the Nazis. Unfortunately the Museum, as it has now become, was full, & we couldn’t gain access, so maybe that’s for another time. 

OSKAR SCHINDLER FACTORY

JOAN & JAKUB OUTSIDE SCHINDLER FACTORY

We also visited the other sights of KRAKOW, which don’t have JEWISH connections, & it is very well preserved with most of the buildings being original, as there was little damage done to the city either by the GERMANS, as the POLES declared it an open city & didn’t defend it, & the RUSSIANS swept past it on their way to BERLIN.

KRAKOW MAIN SQUARE

During the war KRAKOW was the seat of the NAZI General Government, with Hans FRANK installed in WAWEL CASTLE in charge of the country. The infamous PLASZOW labour camp was also within KRAKOW, & this became known worldwide through Steven SPEILBERG”S film “SCHINDLER”S LIST”, together with its bestial commandant Amon GOETH. GOETH was hanged by the POLES in KRAKOW, & FRANK by the Allies at NUREMBURG.

KRAKOW

KRAKOW POPE JOHN PAUL

KRAKOW