Special Characters,Three Images From Zabludow Aharon-Hirsch The Healer by Y. l. Altas Translation by Daphna Brafman Coordinated by Tilford Bartman Aharon Hirsch Chessler
All the town's people knew him, loved him, and respected him. His name was known in all the Polish villages and in the villages of Belorussia, and not just in Zabludow. He was admired by the Jews and by the city people.He was called Aharon-Hirsch the healer. Enough was to mention his name only and people already knew whom you are talking about. He had an outstanding personality, interesting and original.
He was born in Zabludow in 1852. His father was a hard working man who had many children. He didn't have a happy childhood. He passed it learning Torah in the kheder. When he went to the army he had the opportunity to learn general studies. His great talents and natural intelligence opened for him the locked gates of the medical course that the army had organized for excellent soldiers. He studied with great diligence and graduated as one of the best students. He was granted a diploma of a healer, with rights to take care of the sick. When ended his military service he returned to his hometown, married Feiga, the humble and beautiful, fathered two sons and found a living as a healer.
His humane treatment of the sick, his personality as a human being and as physician reminded us very much our unforgettable physician in Argentina Dr. Noah Yerkhi. In Zabludow and surroundings there was no doctor, but he never misused the fact that he was the only healer to promote his financial interests. On the contrary, he was always ready to serve both Jewish and Christian communities, and by so doing elevated his profession to a high humanitarian level.
Aharon-Hirsch was a great psychologist; he was well aware of the emotional state of the town's residents. He knew who to chastise, who to comfort, and whom he should not answer, and who should pay a higher fee so he can cover the expenses of taking care of a poor patient. There were times in which he refused to be paid by a certain patient and when his family pressed to much he chastised them; "who is asking you for money", he said. "better use it to buy chicken for him." And upon leaving left some money on the table and saying: "this is for medications." He comforted a family of a patient who is under financial stress, asking not to be paid for the visit and saying: " don't worry, you'll see better days, and you pay me when things improve."
Aharon-Hirsch had a good look; tall and flexible, his head covered with gray hair. His little, lively, wise eyes looked through glasses tied to a long black stick with blue pearls. His steps were little, quiet, and his movements full of confidence. He was pedant and well dressed. Neck half folded and with a black bow tie. All these made him look very respectable. Even people who didn't know him respected him.
Not just in our town he was known for his good looks and high moral behavior. He was generous and was sensitive to the needs of the public, and was involved in a rich philanthropic activity for the benefit of the town's residents. As a permanent member of the city council he strongly defended the interests of the Jewish residents. The town did not lack undisclosed anti-Semites; their representatives sat in the town's council. More than once did they try to pass anti Jewish decisions, but Aharon-Hirsch was steady on his guard and stopped their evil plans. He was very proud to be Jewish, drew much courage from it for the protection of his people. Even the anti-Semites respected and feared him. Thanks to him many anti-Semitic attacks were prevented. In middle-age and before his old age he was greatly assisted by his second wife, Mrs. Lifsha, in his private and public life.
Aharon-Hirsch was one of the founders of keren kayemet and keren hayesod in Zabludow, he was one of the most respected leaders of the community committee and of the welfare organization. His courage and willingness to help were shown in every opportunity. We need to mention only one occasion during the First World War.
When the army was approaching town and the people feared the bloody fights- they began to escape from town to Bialystock. Aharon Hirsch had already built himself a new carriage, but soon this proud man, who knows not fear, realized he was ridiculous. He was ashamed and couldn't understand how he was swept into the big wave of fear and was going to escape. Immediately he decided to stay, regardless of the danger. His duty is to defend the Jewish property that was left unprotected, and if it was meant for him to die- he shall die defending his town. Aaron-Hirsch wore his white robe, covered his head with a hat marked with the red cross, hoping that his appearance will enable him to reach all those that need help. His action was very important. He and two other Jews that remained in town, Rabbi Akiva Subotnik and Yoseph Yablonsky saved the synagogue from destruction by fire and the entire town was also saved from destruction. A band of Cossacks called the "fire setters" was ready to set the entire town on fire, but Aaron-Hirsch and two of his partners managed to spare the town by paying a big sum of money and by reason. Thanks to them Zabludow was saved from destruction in 1914.
This is the life of Aharon-Hirsch, the town's healer, who assisted the residents when in need, and to solve their problems. He lived to an old age among the town's people, who highly respected him. He died at the age of 84 in 1936, writing a glorious page in the rich history of the Jewish community of Zabludow, a community that was demolished during the days of the Shoa.
Web: 2003 Tilford Bartman