|
|
Click here to go to the period of World War II and the Holocaust.
| YEAR | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 700-760 CE | Przemyśl is founded by Przemyslaw, a Lechite Prince. Lechites (Lechici) were descendants of Lech, the legendary founder of Poland |
| 981 | Ruthenian prince Wlodzimierz conquers Przemyśl. This event is recorded by Nestor, a Ruthenian Chronicler |
| 981-1340 | Przemyśl is ruled alternatively by Ruthenia (Rus) and Poland |
| early 11th century | A colony of Jewish merchants exists in Przemyśl |
| 1018 | Przemyśl is conquered by Polish king Boleslaw Chrobry |
| 1031 | Przemyśl under Ruthenian rule |
| 1071 | Again, Przemyśl under Polish rule, conquered by Boleslaw II Smialy |
| 1087 | Przemyśl under Ruthenian rule |
| 1087-1134 | Przemyśl becomes a capital of a Ruthenian Duchy (Rus Czerwona). It loses its status when the capital is moved to Halicz. Przemyśl is a capital of a Ruthenian Duchy once again for a short time in 1264 and 1270 |
| 1222-1229 | Przemyśl under the rule of Hungarian prince Andrew |
| 1334 | Polish King Kazimierz Wielki ratifies the Statute of Kalish (Statut Kaliski) of 1264, a charter issued by prince Boleslaw Pobozny granting the Jews of Wielkopolska (Great Poland) their rights. The scope of the statute is now expanded to cover all provinces of the Polish kingdom |
| 1340 | King Kazimierz Wielki incorporates Ruthenia into Poland. The Zamek (Castle) in Przemyśl is built. City is fortified. |
| 1346-1379 | King Kazimierz Wielki extends the scope of previous privileges granted to the Jews. Jews are placed under the jurisdiction of the king and are granted rights to transit through the whole country, settle in its cities and villages, and lend money. King Kazimierz Wielki encourages the settlement of craftsmen and tradesmen from the West, particularly from Germany. According to Hauser, Jews settled in Przemyśl around this time, particularly thanks to the privilege of 1367, allowing Jews to settle in Malopolska (Little Poland) and Ruthenia |
| 1370-1387 | Poland and Ruthenia under Hungarian influence |
| 1387 | Poland takes control of Ruthenia (including Przemyśl) |
| 1389 | King Wladyslaw Jagiello grants Przemyśl its city laws based on Magdeburg Law |
| 1402-1445 | According to some sources, names of Jewish merchants and bankers appear in the Przemyśl court documents |
| 1419 | Official mention of "Jewish street" (Platea Iudaeorum) in Przemyśl |
| 1437 | According to Jewish Encyclopedia, Jews in Przemyśl are mentioned for the first time in the official municipal records (Akta Grodzkie XIII,No.682) |
| 1466 | According to Schorr, Jews in Przemyśl are mentioned for the first time in the official municipal records |
| 1542 | Census lists eighteen Jewish families living in Przemyśl, seven of them own their houses, nine are leasing. |
| 1559 | First legal regulation of the Jewish community in Przemyśl. The privilege, granted by King Zygmunt August, allows Jews to settle permanently in Przemyśl and grants them trading rights. Jews fall under the jurisdiction of the king. This privilege stipulates that "Jews have been living on the Jewish street in Przemyśl for a long time" but that "they have not yet been granted a privilege which would allow them to settle permanently, or guarantee them peace and security" |
| 1559-1570 | Documents from this period show that there is a synagogue and a Jewish cemetery in Przemyśl |
| 1561 | Przemyśl synagogue is attacked by the burghers |
| 1562 | Przemyśl Jews are granted a privilege by king Zygmunt August, temporarily releasing the Jewish community from some taxes, in order to "cover the expenses of founding of the major communal institutions" — Schorr p.6 |
| 1565 | Jews own thirteen houses, nine houses are leased by them |
| 1571 | King Zygmunt August appeals to the municipal authorities and the residents of Przemyśl to uphold the rights granted to Jews. A penalty of 6,000 zlp (Polish Zloty) is to be imposed for violation of such rights |
| 1576 | Privilege "ad bonum ordinum" by King Stefan Batory, grants Jews the right to elect their own religious and lay leaders and awards them full autonomy |
| 1592 | Construction of a stone synagogue building begins in Przemyśl, to replace the wooden structure |
| 1594 | New stone synagogue opened |
| 1595 | A contract is achieved between the Przemyśl magistrate and the Jewisch community, regulating its financial participation in the fortification of the city. In return, the Jews are given access to a piece of land to build a hospital, and a house for the cantor and the szkolnik (sexton). The community pays a yearly rent for the land |
| 17th century | Beginning of economic decline of the city. Economic competition between Jewish and Christian merchants intensifies |
| 1608 | A complaint is brought before the Przemyśl municipality against the Jews, alleging that they "by their subtlety and slyness" constitute a dangerous competition to the burgher merchants |
| 1628 | Attack on "the Jewish street". Private houses are demolished, Jewish hospital and Jewish stores are plundered |
| 1630 | A Christian woman, while questioned under torture, accuses Jews of having persuaded her to steal a consecrated host (she eventually dies at the stake). As a result, Moses (Moszko) SZMUKLERZ is imprisoned by municipal authorities, tortured and burnt at the stake. This event was commemorated yearly at one of the Przemyśl synagogues |
| 1630 | A mandate of the royal commander-in-chief (hetmam polny koronny) to the Polish army, ordering them not to mistreat or hurt the Jews who "have in recent years experienced many of God's plagues" |
| 1633 | King Wladyslaw IV confirms general Jewish privileges and criticizes the city magistrates in Poland for "usurping their jurisdiction over the Jews" and confirms that the Jews fall under the jurisdiction of the king, not that of the municipalities |
| 1633 | Privileges granted to Przemyśl Jews are ratified by King Wladyslaw IV |
| 1637 | The "Jewish street" in Przemyśl is almost completely destroyed by fire. However, the synagogue is spared |
| 1638 | King Wladyslaw IV issues a privilege asserting the Przemyśl Jewish community’s right to rebuild after the fire. The king expresses his concern that Jewish rights are not being respected and that the royal treasury might suffer if the Jews are not able to rebuild. The privilege grants the Przemyśl kahal hegemony over the surrounding Jewish communities. This allows the city kahal to raise money through tax collection |
| 1644 | Jews own about forty houses in Przemyśl |
| 1645 | The long lasting economic conflict between the Polish and Jewish communities is normalized after years of disputes and prolonged litigation. A historic contract is achieved, regulating the boundaries within which Jewish merchants and artisans were to "ply their vocations". This a agreement was in effect until the first partition of Poland in 1772 |
| 1648-1649 | The Chmielnicki revolt. Przemyśl is rescued by Karol Korniakt, a nobleman (szlachcic) from the nearby Zurawica. Korniakt helps the besieged town by mobilizing thousands of men. Jews participate in the defense of the city. The Chmielnicki troops leave town |
| 1656-1657 | The Swedish war. Przemyśl is besieged twice but left unharmed. |
| 1656 | King Jan Kazimierz appeals to the Polish military to "have mercy upon the Jews and not oppress or harm them in any way". Apparently, Polish troops going through various cities tended to "be a nuisance", particularly to the Jews |
| 1660 | Mandate of king Jan Kazimierz, which stipulates that the Przemyśl Jews suffered greatly during the recent war "cum per hostem cum per militem nostrum" |
| 1661 | King's decree allowing the Jewish community to use the synagogue as a collateral to borrow money. This illustrates the desperate economic situation of the Przemyśl Jewish community |
| 1671 | Jews own about 100 houses in Przemyśl |
| End of 17th century and 18th century | The economic situation declines. The Jewish community is forced to borrow money from Polish nobility, which tries to recover their money using all available means. Jews are assaulted at market places, their merchandise is looted |
| 1678 | Jewish quarter destroyed by fire. Jews are granted privileges temporarily easing them from the burden of taxation so that the community can rebuilt |
| 1681 | King Jan III Sobieski extends due date for debt repayment |
| 1692 | The king further extends due date for debt repayment, fearing Jewish emigration due to inability to pay their debts |
| 18th century | The economic situation of the city declines further. Many Jews leave the city seeking relief from debt and severe taxation |
| 1743 | Decree of the Catholic bishop of Przemyśl, Waclaw Sierakowski, dictating ways in which Jews should behave vis a vis Christians, including forbidding them to be out in the street during a Christian procession, and prohibiting them from working on Sunday and other Christian holidays, etc. |
| 1746 | Jesuit students plunder the Jewish quarter, looting Jewish homes. They beak into the synagogue and demolish its interior. The holy Ark and the Torah scrolls are destroyed. The synagogue archive, which includes important documents from the wojewoda's court, is also destroyed |
| 1752 | Prince August Czartoryski, the Przemyśl wojewoda, issues a decree for Jews to return to the city or face severe penalties |
| 1757 | Przemyśl magistrate allows Jews to settle and trade outside of the Jewish quarter |
| 1759 | Trial in Przemyśl of 7 Jews from Stupnica (Dobromil county) for the alleged ritual murder of a 3 year old child. The defendants are subjucted to torture. Six are sentenced to death, one (a woman) is spared her life but is sent to city prison |
| 1765 | Total Jewish population in the Przemyśl area (33
kahals) — 25,724. There are 2,418 Jews in Przemyśl. Other surrounding
towns include:
Drohobych — 1,923 |
| 1772 | First partition of Poland. Przemyśl is incorporated into Austria as part of Galicia |
| 1867 | Jews granted equal rights to those of other residents of the Austro-Hungarian Empire |
| 1874 | The statute of the Przemyśl kahal is officially confirmed by the authorities. Jewish communities from over 100 surrounding towns fall under its jurisdiction |
| 1890 | Przemyśl population is 35,209, including 10,998 Jews |
| 1890 | Progressive synagogue "Tempel" is established |
| 1890 | Construction of the Zasanie synagogue begins |
| 1892 | Zasanie synagogue opens |
| 1905 | Scheinbach synagogue on Slowackiego street is opened |
| 1907 | Herman Lieberman elected to the Austrian Parliament in Vienna. In independent Poland, Lieberman will be a PPS delegate to the Polish Parliament |
| 1908 | Przemyśl has electricity |
| 1910 | Approximately 16,000 Jews live in Przemyśl (30% of total population) |
| 1914 | Sept.-Oct. First siege of the city by the Russians |
| Nov. Non-essential personnel is evacuated from the city | |
| Nov. Second siege begins | |
| 1915 | March. Przemyśl surrenders. Much of the Przemyśl fortress is destroyed. Soon after Przemyśl’s surrender, Jews are expelled from the city |
| 1916 | June. Austro-Hungarian and German army takes over Przemyśl |
| 1918 | Oct. Proclamation of Independence |
| Nov. Ukrainians capture part of the city on the right bank of the San River, soon to be taken over by the Poles | |
| 1919 | Przemyśl becomes part of independent Poland |
| 1921 | Przemyśl population is 47,958, including 18,360 Jews |
| 1931 | Total Przemyśl population is 51,038. There are 17,326 Jews (34% of total population) |
|
Sept. 14 — Przemyśl falls to the Germans |
|
|
Sept. 16 - 19 — First arrests and executions of the Jews, mostly political activists and members of the Jewish inteligentsia. Many are refugees from the West. A number of 102 killed is often quoted in the sources but some sources, including the Przemyśl Yizkor Book, report that as many as 600 Jews were killed at that time. The locations where the executions took place include Przekopana, Lipowica, Pralkowce and Pikulice. The bodies have been exhumed and moved into a mass grave at the Jewish cemetery on Slowackiego street. A memorial plaque was recently unvailed at the cemetery, listing the 102 names. |
|
|
Sept. 21 — the Germans leave the territory on the east bank of the river San and burn down the Old Synagogue and the Tempel on Jagiellonska street |
|
|
Sept. 28 — According to the Ribbentop-Molotov Pact, the Soviet Army marches into the city. State border is set along the river San, with the left bank under German and the right bank under Soviet control |
|
|
1940 |
Spring — Judenrat is established in Zasanie |
|
April-May — Approximately 7,000 Jews are deported from Soviet occupied Przemyśl to Asian Russia, mostly refugees from the West |
|
|
June 27 — Establishment of “Deutch-Przemyśl”, which includes the areas of Zasanie, Ostrow, Kunkowce, Buszkowce, Buszkowiczki, Zurawica, Walawa, Przekopana Polnocna, and part of Ujkowice and Bolestraszyce. Jews are forced to move to the Russian occupied section of Przemyśl. Some relocate through the military bridge, others by swimming across the San River. According to the Przemyśl Yizkor Book, the forced relocation happened shortly before the Soviets entered town in September 1939. The 66 Jews who remain in Zasanie, mostly sick and elderly, are placed in two buildings on Dolinskiego 11 and 13. This ghetto will be liquidated in June, 1942 |
|
|
1941 |
June 20 — Przemyśl total population is 65,798, with 16,500 Jews (25% of total population) |
|
June 22 — |
|
|
June 28 — The entire city of Przemyśl falls to the Germans. Judenrat is established a week later |
|
|
Oct. 24 — Przemyśl population is 71,337, including 16,408 Jews |
|
|
1942 |
June 20 — approximately 1,000 Jewish men are transported to the Janowska camp in Lvov. According to the Przemyśl Yizkor Book, this happened on June 18 (see p. 379) |
|
July 15 — deadline for the Jews to relocate to the ghetto |
|
|
July 16 — Przemyśl ghetto is closed. Death penalty is imposed for those who illegaly leave the ghetto (except for work) and those non-Jews who try to help them. Estimated population of the ghetto — 22,000 |
|
|
July 27 — First Aktion starts. In stages, transport of those who are unable to work — the disabled, sick, elderly and children to the nearby woods in Grochowce, where they are killed. Approximately 6,500 Jews were sent to death camp in Belzec. July 31 & August 3 — another 6,000 are transported |
|
|
Nov. 18 — Second Aktion. 3,500 are transported to Belzec. Those attempting to flee or are found hiding in bunkers as well as children from the orphanage are killed. The ghetto is downsized and divided into Ghetto A (for workers) and Ghetto B (for non-workers). Approximately 800 are in Ghetto A and 4,000 in Ghetto B |
|
|
Dec. 31 — Total Przemyśl population is 50,738, with 3,030 Jews |
|
|
1943 |
Sept. 2-3 — Approximately 3,500 Jews, who had been hiding in bunkers, are transported to Auschwitz. About 600 people from Ghetto A are sent to labor camp in Szebnie |
|
Sept. 11 — 1580 Jews are murdered in the courtyard of the Piramowicza school on Kopernika street, next to the prison. Their bodies are burning for 5 days. 250 people are kept to clean the area. (In 1956, a memorial plaque will be placed on the school building) |
|
|
Nov. 28 — Some of the 250 people are transported to Szebnie, and the rest of them are transported to Stalowa Wola or Auschwitz by the end of February, 1944 |
|
|
1944 |
July 27 — Soviet Army reenters the city |
|
1945 |
Przemyśl population is 28,144 including 415 Jews |
|
1956 |
Unveiling of a plaque on a former ghetto building on Kopernika Street, commemorating the martyrdom of the Przemyśl Jews |
Thank you to Blossom Glasser for contributing information used in the compilation of this outline.
The above has been compiled by Barbara U. Yeager and Blossom Glasser.
The sources used include the following:
|
Dr. Schorr, Mojzesz. Zydzi w Przemyslu do
konca XVIII wieku (Jews in Przemyśl until the end of the 18th
century). Lwow, 1903. Reprinted in Jerusalem, 1991
|
|
Krochmal, Jacek. Jews in Przemyśl from the
11th to the 20th Century. In: John J. Hartman and Jacek Krochmal,
eds. I Remember Every Day: the Fate of the Jews of Przemyśl
During World War II. Przemyśl: Towarzystwo Przyjaciol Nauk
and Remembrance and Reconciliation, Inc., 2001
|
|
Krochmal, Anna. Przemyśl Jews During World
War II. In: John J. Hartman and Jacek Krochmal, eds. I
Remember Every Day: the Fate of the Jews of Przemyśl During World
War II. Przemyśl: Towarzystwo Przyjaciol Nauk and Remembrance
and Reconciliation, Inc., 2002
|
|
Schattner, M. From Outbreak of World War II Until the Liberation. In: Menczer, Arie. Sefer Przemyśl (the Przemyśl Memorial Book). Israel, 1964 Zebrowski, Rafal. Dzieje Zydow w Polsce.
Kalendarium (History of the Jews in Poland). Warszawa: Zydowski
Instytut Historyczny, Warszawa, 1993 |
|
Encyclopedia Judaica
|
|
Jewish Encyclopedia, 1905
|
|
Hauser, Leopold. Monografia Miasta Przemysla
(A Monograph of the City of Przemyśl). Przemyśl :Nakladem
ksieg. Braci Jeleniow, 1883, 2nd edition (reprint), Poludniowo-Wschodni
Instytut Naukowy, 1991
|
For more information regarding the history of Jews in Przemyśl, see Menczer, Arie Sefer Przemyśl ( the Przemyśl Memorial Book). Israel, 1964