Translation from Hebrew by Daphna Brafman Coordinated by Tilford Bartman
The land upon which the town of Zabludow was established belonged to the castle owned by the prince and for many years the residents paid a ground (property) tax. A person who wished to sell a house or a plot had to getpermit from the administration of the prince's courtyard.
Prior to World War I the property belonged to a princess who spent most of her time in the Tsar's palace in Petersburg. A commissioner assigned by her managed the property.
The property was a form of a small feudalistic monarchy. In it there was a big farm with cattle and horses. In the many homes scattered through the yard lived the managers, mostly aristocrats who lived the life of royals. In the wide fields the peasant workers worked, and they were placed in small cabins.
The "yard" used to rent pieces of land to various people and some Jewish renters enjoyed doing so. But the biggest source of wealth for the yard was the big forest that surrounded Zabludow and spread over thousands of kilometers. Merchants from all over the world came to buy wood, and this was a good business. The aristocrats were paid in advance and after that were able to sit in Petersburg, live a life of folly and spend their money.
The "yard" provided the town with medical service; they brought a physician that took care of the sick. Who doesn't remember Dr. Davitski, the kind man, friend of the Jews, who would even give of his own money to the poor patients. The yard also held a healer; for many years this position was filled by Jews. They received a salary and firewood.
Many city residents, who hated the Jews, opposed the Jewish healers and organized a boycott. The yard bent under pressure and brought a Christian healer. But there were Christians who were loyal to the last Jewish healer, Aaron Hirsch, called " professor". He used to say that he received a blessing from the Tsadik R. Yoseleh, and that is why many call on him and not the yard Physician. He was also well paid for treating a patient.
The town was doing business with the yard. Around it lived various craftsmen, shoemakers, tailors, carpenters and others. Local residents, peasants, traded with the yard after their release from obligation to the yard. Many of them built dairy farms that brought them good profits. They gained capital and became usurers. Jews borrowed money from them to cover expenses of a daughters' wedding or to build houses.
The Jews also found a living in the "yard". Most of all they rented farming lands and forests. They lived of their farms or from trading in wood. Renting sometimes caused an unfair competition. One fascinating story is about a renter named Neta. He was liked by the town and the residents of the area, and was known to be an honest man, innocent and people loving. His home stood on a crossroads and every traveler was invited in. The people of the house immediately surrounded and served him with all kinds of good food. They tried to make his visit pleasant. People greatly appreciated Neta's generosity. One day a competitor rose, a Jew, who desired to expel him from his place and position. He used mean methods to prevent Neta the possibility of paying rental to the aristocrat. He was assisted by his son, who had a connection in one of the anarchist gangs that were organized after the 1905 revolution. The term "anarchist" was used by many gangs of bandits as cover-up for crimes and robbery.
Neta's competitor used various means against him. At first he offered higher rental fare. It was difficult for Neta of raise the necessary sum, but lacking any other choice he paid the high rental. But the competitor did not wuit. His son told his anarchist friend that on a certain a rich man will travel through the forest with a big amount of money; it is therefore important to take his money. He was talking about Neta, who was traveling to pay the rental. The big amount was actually only a few hundreds of rubles. The anarchists ambushed Neta and took his money; but they noticed that the man did not look wealthy. For that reason they decided not to use the money for the time being.In the meantime Neta was prevented from renewing the rent. When the news about Neta reached Zabludow, the entire town was in rage. The young were angry and could not come down. They were shocked that the honest generous man was hurt.
The anarchists of Zabludow decided to interfere; they took their horses and hurried to Bialystock and on that day arrived on time to bring the money to the "yard". Later they told Neta who is responsible for this. Neat was disturbed by the thought of why does this man hate him.
In the yard stood a wonderful palace built in a classical style. No one lived there, but it was well cared for so it remains in good condition in case the princess decides to come there. The servants cleaned it everyday inside and out. In the summer the plants climbing on the walls were covered with beautiful and colorful flowers. Old high trees that resembled umbrellas surrounded the palace, and over these there was a garden with delicious apple trees. In the middle of the garden- small buildings, artificial stream and above it a stone bridge is stretched. Of all this world only a hill of ruins remained.
The town's Jews used to go to the palace on shabbat afternoons. This was a true shabbat pleasure. They used to rest on the grass, removing their coats. On the stream banks brides and grooms used to sit.
Who would think about the forest, about the old cedars with their tops reaching high to the sky. The real pleasure was provided by the palace.
Times changed. The "yard" was passed to the hands of the Baron Kreizenstein. He settled in the palace, brought professional gardeners that reconstructed the garden. Around the palace a high fence was built, and trees were planted by it. Gravel stones were put on the pathway. Flowers were planted too. But this paradise was off limit to the town's residents.
The Baron once had a banquette. Guests arrived from all over the world. A military band was brought, and it played music several days. The town's residents rushed to the fence; they looked through the cracks to see the festivities.
Before the guests left the gates opened. Many pushed inside, Jews and city Christians. The baron instructed the band to continue playing the music. The crowd danced. The Baron who was sitting on the balcony with his guests threw many coins over the heads of the people. A running match was held; the champion shall win a prize. The band began to play fast music. The Baron gave a sign and the race began. A Jewish fellow by the name of Leiboshik won and received a gold coin. The music continued. Leiboshik drank with the baron. The crowd was given fruit, the children were given candies, and the celebration lasted until daybreak.
Since then the palace gates were shut. Paradise was locked. After some time the Baron died.
In the forest there was a high mountain, and on top of it there stood a cabin. It was called the cabin of the county's governor. It was planned, probably, to be used as a summer residence, but it was always locked. Young couples carved their names' initials on the trees. They used to go there lie with their eyes looking at the sky and dream…many couples confessed their love there.
Many families brought their sick to the forest and spent days there. They said: the air at the forest heals, inside the forest there grew strawberries and cranberries. The city people came to pick them; they filled their baskets and jugs even though the yard didn't allow it. Sometimes the forest guards caught them. The transgressors were brought to the yard to its master. They asked his forgiveness, kissed his hand until he softened and forgave them. Poor people also stole wood.
The aristocrat lords were friendly to the Jews. The management of the yard used to send wood and potatoes to the poor. On the Christian New Year representatives of the community used to come to the aristocrat greet him and ask for wood. The Jews used to buy wheat for matzoth. At the yard they knew how to maintain the wheat so it will be good for baking matzo shmurah* (* special unleavened bread for Passover). The yard kept close ties with the Jewish community. If, god forbid, a fire began, the yard's fire fighters were right there. And when the rabbi came to ask for wood so that a Jewish house that was burnt cam be rebuilt, the aristocrat would help at once. The town's Jews held great respect for them. When their carriage drove by they used to remove their hats.
The yard was destroyed in world war I. It was set on fire by the Cossacks before they left. The aristocrat and his workers took off earlier. The Cossacks found the wine cellar and got drunk; the Jews were at danger because of that. Luckily the Germans broke into town and the Cossacks escaped before they were able to bother the residents. Even some Jews visited the cellars and took some bottles of wine for kiddush. The yards neighbors invaded the palace, and took out the remains of furniture they saw themselves as the heirs but eventually had to return everything to the real heirs the Germans.
The Germans reconstructed the place, the fields were redone. They chopped many trees from the forest. Later the property was sold entirely. A wood factory and sawing mill was built and it emptied most forests around. The saw and the ax pushed the heavy oaks to the ground, and they were lying there like victims of a war. I went especially to see the trees that contained the names of my friends. The sawmills created new rich men who saw blessing in their business.
And finally many farms were over a vast area that used to be a part of the "yard". The farms belonged to the mazoric workers who once worked in the yard.
They didn't want to sell property to the Jews. Somebody supported their refusal… its not for you Jew, the work of the land, you must live the life of poverty in the town and choke.
Many Jews wanted to buy land, but they had no paternal right….
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