Photos of the Mielec New Jewish Cemetery

Anna Kwiatkowska is a teacher in Mielec. While searching for material on Jewish Mielec Anna found our webpage and contacted us offering to take photos and report on the Mielec Jewish Cemeteries.

The New Jewish Cemetery was established in 19th century with last burial during WWII (1942). This cemetery is on Traugutta Street. It is located on the outskirts of Mielec about 1 km from the town’s center and the former synagogue. The cemetery is situated between agricultural fields and small private houses and factories and is reached by turning directly off a public road and crossing other public property.

Last known burial was in 1942 during WWII. The cemetery was vandalized during WWII. The size of the cemetery before WWII was 800 sq. m; present size is 100 sq. m.

The report from the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies - Cemetery Project, dated June 1992 mentions that the cemetery on Traugutta Street has no sign or marker. and is open to all without wall or gate. Some 20 matzevot (tombstones) remain in their original locations. The matzevot made of limestone and sandstone flat shaped stones have Hebrew and Polish inscriptions.

Anna Kwiatkowska reports (2006) that the Traugutta Street cemetery is now fenced in and very few Matzevot remain. Anna further comments that it seems the cemetery is rarely visited and it was obvious by the rust of the chain and lock that the gate has not been opened for quite some time.

There is a notice, in Polish, posted on the entrance to the New Jewish Cemetery. The translation:

The cemetery has Memorial Monument to Holocaust victims. The number 300 refers to one particular mass killing that occurred in Mielec on March 9, 1942, during the deportation of Mielec Jews. The numbers differ in different reports and are given as much higher by some sources. The Monument is placed on a small prominence and is situated in the middle of cemetery. The inscription is in Polish and Yiddish. There are a few sentences in Polish followed by Hebrew text and than another Polish inscription: Text translations:

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE THREE HUNDREDS JEWS,
VICTIMS OF NAZI BARBARITY IN THE YEARS 1939-1945

Jewish cemetery established
by THE Jewish Community OF Mielec
destroyed in THE years 1939-1945 by Nazis

To the south of the monument, 4 Matzevot [tombstones] remain which have barely readable inscriptions. The oldest Matzevot that survived date from 1942 and belonged to Matylda Braun and Rachela Buchen.

On January 2005 the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage reported signs of vandalism and anti-Semitic graffiti on the memorial monument in the New Jewish Cemetery. No further action was taken because the perpetrators were not identified.

View of the New Jewish Cemetery showing the fence in the distance	The New Jewish Cemetery showing a glimpse of Mielec in the distance
The Main gate of the New Jewish Cemetery.	One of the few Matzevot remaining in the New Jewish Cemetery. One can barely discern the Magen David etched on the stone.
Memorial Monument to Holocaust victims. The Monument is placed on a small prominence and is situated in the middle of cemetery . View from outside the cemetery fence.	Memorial Monument to Holocaust victims. The Monument viewed from inside the cemetery
Close up of Memorial Monument to Holocaust victims. Note the anti-Semitic graffiti.	Close up of Memorial Monument to Holocaust victims. Anna Kwiatkowska removed the graffiti.
Memorial Monument to Holocaust victims. Polish and Hebrew inscription: In Remembrance of the Three Hundreds Jews. Victims of Nazi Barbarity In the Years 1939-1945	Memorial Monument to Holocaust victims. Polish inscription on lower part of the monument. Jewish Cemetery established by theJewish Community of Mielec. Destroyed in years 1939-1945 by Nazis.