This is a photograph (Click on it to enlarge) of staff of the Zabludover Yiddish Library, "I.L. Peretz". First row top right, Chaim Chlesser, the teacher Bram, Gutke Waniewski, Moti Scheps (died in Chile), and Abraham Rofe. Second row from the right, Meir Tenzer, Eliyahu Gellerstein, Itche Malchuk, and Leibl Bernstein. Third row from the right, Josef Feirstein (died in Israel), Archik Introligator, and the famous teacher and poet Schmuel Chessler (died in Buenos Aires).
In a little room at the café of Michael Lifshitz young people used to meet. Those young people knew how to appreciate the importance of Jewish art and literature. For an entrance fee of two kopecks they were able to be in an enlightened social atmosphere. It was possible to read the daily newspaper and other periodicals, and to play checkers and chess. In addition, every Saturday there was a lecture on Jewish literature and art or a reading performance of various writings.
On one Saturday- it was in 1911- a discussion on the issue of establishing a library in Zabludow took place. The few members decided right then to lay the foundation for a library. Each of the 20 youngsters present gave one ruble and they immediately bought few books. A library was organized and within a short time it had 300 books. This was the achievement of few. They continued to seek other means; never passing an opportunity and asking for a contribution whenever they could. At the same time an organization of a drama group took place, and they donated all their income from shows or art events.
The shows were not advertised because authorities prohibited a Jewish theater. On one occasion they were going to have a show, prepared a stage and everything. Suddenly they heard that a policeman was walking in the street questioning people where the theater is and when the show is.
They decided, therefore, to have the show in secrecy. They moved the show to an earlier date and did it in the apartment of Yodel Borik. After the show they packed everything and within half an hour there was no sign it ever took place…difficulties did not stop the youngsters and like persistent fighters they fulfilled every task needed for the development of the library.
At first the library was managed by the founders. Avraham Lifshitz was elected treasurer. Other members were librarians who rotated every evening. This was the situation until the beginning of immigration to America. The library had to move from one home to another because it was not good that its address will be known to the police. The activity continued diligently.
When in 1914 bloody First World War began, and the Czar's army was ready to pull out of town many of the soldiers consumed their anger on the books; they tore many books. Only few books were left.
Things changed when the Germans came. A community council was chosen and they were appointed to manage the town. The council sponsored the library but residents weren't interested. The young people were enslaved and had to work hard on the roads and in the forest, and they had no time for the books. New books were not bought either because there was no sense of buying when there is none to buy it for. Books were collected and they were stamped as belonging to the city, and the bookcase was placed in the office of the council; but there was no activity.
In 1919 the town again began to breathe some freedom. The German chains were released, forced labor had been canceled, and people began to go back to normal life. Some went to commerce, others to work in their profession. Even the library began to develop. A room was rented at the home of the Shokhet* and a library opened there.
In 1922, during the war between Russia and Poland Bolsheviks invaded the town. Some members decided to hide the library at the house of the priest. This was the worst time for the library. When the Bolsheviks pulled back and the poles entered, they destroyed the books savagely; they tore and pulled out as many pages as they could. The remains were moved to the regional Governor. There they were checked to make sure there is no fault in them and then sent to the rabbi. The rabbi put them in sacks and placed them in the attic.
*Shokhet- the one who performs ritual slaughtering of kosher animals for food.
For a long time no one knew where they were. One day they were accidentally found. That was a new beginning. They rented a room and began doing things to bring the library into a good state. Since the library was now located at the center of the Zionist movement it was obvious that the center will be in charge of supervising the library.
Meanwhile there was a dispute between the Zionist center and the youngsters on the issue of buying books. A meeting was called and it decided to transfer the library to the hands of the youngsters. At the end a compromise had been reached and few Zionists remained in the management of the library.
Under the new management the library developed every day. It initiated various ways to get funds for the library; lottery games were organized, art events took place and other fundraising activities. The number of books grew very fast. The number of readers and the number of members was in the hundreds. Many of the pupils at the "Talmud torah" were given books without paying. People who didn't work were granted big discounts.
The library was the only place where youth that came from poor families were given reading books. It became a cultural institute where young people could be spiritually uplifted and granted social values.
Back to table of Contents Web: 2003 Tilford Bartman
