Translated
Letter from Gemilath Chessod Kassa in Ulanów
Dated Aug. 2, 1938
Dear Brethren,
Despite our appeals for support
to our Kassa sent to you direct, we now apply to you through the
intermediary of the American Joint Distribution Committee in New
York. This is a distressed appeal written in a desperate moment,
and we hope that, this time, you will not leave it unanswered.
We do not think it necessary to
give you again an account of our situation which we described already
in our previous letters. The Polish trade is encouraged by the
Government; “pickets” are watching the Jewish shops, and the effect of
the boycott campaign on the Jewish population, which is mainly composed
of merchants, market-traders and artisans, can be easily
imagined. We are sending you attached a list of borrowers and
would ask you to read it carefully through. You will certainly
remember that many of them were formerly well-to-do people. Now,
they cannot do without a loan of 50 zlotys. Among them are also
people who lived for thirty years in villages, such as: E. Karp,
J. Gerstein and his son-in-law, H. Derfeld Dobra and Reuven
Birnbaum. They had to leave their old places as their lives were
in danger, and came to our town. The Kassa helped them to
establish dairies on which they live and are able to repay their loans
regularly. We assisted many of the market-traders, by helping
them to engage themselves in other occupations, such as basket
manufacture, small trade, etc. However, despite our great
efforts, we are unable to meet all the demands for loans and the
applicants must often wait for several months before we can grant them
the loans. We know that quick help is far more efficient, but are
unable to give it. We do not make any exceptions as a rule.
Everybody is treated equally and loans are issued in accordance with
the consecutive numbers of the applications. We therefore appeal
to you, our brethren, to help us to save the people of our hometown
from ruin. A greater and steadier assistance coming from your end
will help us in our efforts to alleviate the misery of the town.
The question of the former
butchers who are unable to carry on their trade is a special
problem. They must be retrained in the basket manufacture, and
there is still much to be done in this field. But the town is
lacking means.
Dear Brethren, we would point out
on this occasion that the help you have been giving us until now in the
form of Passover relief and of special contributions for various
communal purposes, is not the most profitable way of extending
help. The prevailing conditions demand help of a different
kind. We are sending you enclosed several cuttings from the local
press from which you will see what other Landsmannschaften are doing
for their towns. It is worth while mentioning that the town of
Kleck received $2,500; Wyszkow- $2,000; Belsyce- $1,000; Lachowice-
$1,972. All of these towns are not larger than ours. We
would also mention on this occasion that many Landsmannschaften give
free long-term credits to their home towns. The tasks we have to
fulfill are great; our means are limited, and the situation is critical
and immediate action is required. Through the intermediary of the
A.J.D.C. we appeal to you for assistance to your brethren in
Ulanów. Please help us as much as you can. Save the local
Jew from mendicity. Support the G.Ch. Kassa which, alone, can
help us to preserve our economics position.
Anticipating your favorable reply,
Sincerely yours,
The Management
Chairman: Itzhak Hochberger
Secretary: [illegible]
© Copyright 2017 Kolbuszowa Region Research Group. All rights reserved.
Compiled by Neil Emmer.