[The Synagogue]
The synagogue is a symbol of the no longer existing Jewish community in Siedlce.
The first mention of the synagogue comes from December 22, 1915 during the German occupation. It is related to a general mood of anxiety and depression caused by witnessing the tragic consequences of the war on a daily basis.
“Yesterday, a Rabbi from Berlin, Dr. Lerner, said kaddish in the big synagogue for the fallen Jewish soldiers in the German Army. He followed it up with a sermon for the benefit of the Jewish officers and soldiers who attended the service. The synagogue was packed to the top (…). “
The second mention of the synagogue dates back to the Polish national holiday, on Wednesday, May 3, 1916. The anniversary of the Constitution of 3 May led the author of the diary to ask questions about the future – Will the Jews ever have an opportunity to celebrate their own national holiday?
On that day, services were held in all churches and synagogues.
“The Rabbi and all Jewish institutions have been invited to take part in the celebration. There is a large sing over the synagogue on which the Star of David and the Polish eagle are painted below quotations from Jeremiah. It is surrounded by many small white and blue flags. “
Maksymilian Apolinary Hartglas, a Zionist activist, publicist and a Sejm deputy (Polish Parliament member) who practiced law in Siedlce between 1907 and 1919, was speaking on a raised platform outside the great synagogue.
“Mr. Hartglass greets the Polish people in the name of their Jewish neighbors. He elaborates on the significance of the 3rd of May for the Jewish people, giving all kinds of historical data. At the end, he expresses the hope and wish for a free and friendly life for both nations, living in harmony and peace.”
This was the manner of speech of the representative of the Jewish community, for which the oldest traces of settlement in Siedlce, date back to the seventeenth century.
The synagogue was located at 38 Piłsudski Street, between Stary Rynek Street (no longer existent) and the current Berek Joselewicz Street, on the site of the today’s buildings of the BGŻ [Bank of the Food Industry] and the skyscraper of the Provincial offices. The monument in memory of the Jews of Siedlce, located now at Berek Joselewicz Street, would be located, at the rear facade of the synagogue. The synagogue was separated from Warszawska Street (currently Piłsudski Street) with the building of the Jewish Community of Siedlce.
During the night of 24th and 25th of December 1939, Nazis burned down the synagogue. Next to the synagogue, there were numerous small prayer houses for trade workers such as butchers, shoemakers, and tailors etc., which were formed on the basis of occupational interests. Unfortunately, none of them are in existence today.
The Jewish population was dominant in Siedlce in the eighteenth and the nineteenth century. In November 1940, the Germans conducted a census of Jewish people for those streets within which they were most numerous. According to the register, the number of Jews living in the city amounted to seven thousand.
The memorial on Berek Joselewicz Street commemorates the final extermination of the Jewish people in Siedlce on November 28, 1942.
Walking in the pedestrian zone as depicted in the diary, Anna eagerly talked about the books she read, films and theatre plays she saw, and quite often about the politics. The charming atmosphere of the places she passed on the way was undoubtedly favourable. It is worth noting that Christians were seen more often on Sunday while the Jews on Saturday.
We are passing through the pedestrian crossing close to the first point of our tour. We are going on the odd side of Piłsudski Street in an easterly direction. Soon we see a building of the Old Town Hall.
