FROM THE AUTHORS

We would like to present a book entitled 'The Jewish Community in the History of the City of Płock'. This book relates centuries of Jewish activity within Płock and also the tragic fate of the Jews in Płock during The Second World War.

In the past, almost one out of every three inhabitants of Płock was Jewish. For example, in the year 1920, there were 9,062 Jewish people (32%) from the total of 28,134 population of Płock. The following year (1921) the Jewish people accounted for 9,439 (37%) of the total 26,064 population of Płock.

At the beginning of 1237, Płock received its civic rights. Through the succeeding centuries, Jewish settlement developed in Poland - right up until the 1950s. In many ways, the Jews were very much connected with the history of Płock. They were involved in trade, charity, politics and also created the foundations of the agricultural machinery industry. They were also people of science, founders of banks, outstanding doctors, painters, teachers; some even erecting magnificent private and municipal buildings.

Two members of the Jewish community played a special role in the agricultu­ral machinery and tools industry. Moses Szyja Sarna and Marian Margulies, who were co-founders of two factories - the largest factories in the city. Moses Szyja Sarna's factory employed 92 employees and Marian Margulies 65 employees.

In 1929, there were banks run by two gentlemen from Płock's Jewish communi­ty. 'The Merchant Bank' in 14 Tumska Street, whose president was Moses Altberg (1858-1940) was known for his charitable disposition. The second bank was 'The Bank Loan and Cooperative' (16 Tumska Street) was managed by Leon Kilbert.

A trade union for Jewish craftsmen (in 9 Grodzka Street) organised work for craftsmen. In 1929 it was led by a Jewish tailor - Moses Gutkin (?-1933).

Between the wars there were many cultural and educational societies in Płock, among them 'Freiheit' ('Freedom'), which was founded by Moses Zander (XX c.), Toba Nasielska, Lejb Licht (XIX-XX c.), Symcha Guterman and S. Lysner (XX c.). Other cultural institutions existed, including the Jewish Library (the name of Sz. Arski, in 29 Sienkiewicza Street appears in sources in connection with this). The (Jewish) Library of the 'Hazomir Society' (Stary Rynek 11). These organisations promoted reading and cultural activities within the Jewish society of Płock.

There were some Jewish schools in the city under the auspices of the Magistra­te of Płock, including the co-educational 'Middle School of Jewish Humanities' (28 Kolegialna Street), which was first run by N. Hirszberg, who was succeeded by Dr. Henryk Bromberger. Sporting associations were also set up for teenagers for the promotion of sport and physical well-being. These were the Jewish gymnastics and sports societies - known as the 'Makabi'. 

In the field of health care a hospital was established named 'Izaak Fogel' (7 Misjonarska Street) from the generous donations of Gustaw Fogel who died in 1903. This hospital, whose President was Rafal Ploskier (1871-1930), had wide medical activity, with wards for the benefit of the whole community of Płock.

From the analysis of 500 biographical entries we can survey the significant role the Jewish community had in the development of Płock. This publication has used Polish, Hebrew, foreign archives, books, press articles and oral history.

In this book can be found biographical entries of famous people, friends, cousins - a worthy commemoration of the Jewish community of Płock. We hope that the book 'The Jewish Community in the History of the City of Płock' will be well-received - giving as it does both interesting information and insights - for the purposes of broadening the knowledge of one of the oldest Jewish communities in Poland.

Jan PRZEDPELSKI & Jerzy STEFAŃSKI

The Index (Polish)

12.02.2013

It is with great sorry that I announce the death of Liber Taub born in Płock Poland 1923, died in Ramat Gan Israel 2013.

He was among the most active member of the Jewish ex-Residents of Płock  Organization in Israel and was among the founders in 1998 of the memorial web site of Płock Jewry in the Internet: http://www.zchor.org/INDPLOCK.HTM

Liber Taub was very brave, determined and resourceful man and managed to survive many ghetto, forced labour and concentration camps during  the Holocaust. I've posted since 2005, in Hebrew, all his survival testimony, in which he told the truth about his experiences in that horrible period, about his Lost Youth...

http://www.zchor.org/taub/taub.htm

In spite of his age he managed to control the modern pc world, the internet and its technologies. I was amazed how with his extra-ordinary memory he submitted more and more information about Jewish Plock which was very dear to his heart, including translations from Yiddish and Polish. To my amazement, he made me 4 CDs with all the Yiddish songs he remembered from childhood.

It is my deep hope that his heritage will be kept, remembering his murdered family, remembering the   Jewish community of Płock, during and  before the Shoah, remembering their history, education, social life, culture, music, and  tradition.

Ada Holtzman