Unzer Leben

... (Editor’s note: Pejsach Kaplan, the prominent Jewish writer and editor of the Bialystok daily newspaper, Unzer Leben, became the official archivist of the Bialy- stok ghetto. He had the opportunity to observe and record daily events in the ghetto, including important facts about the establishment and conduct of the Juden- rat. Concerning the notorious ‘“‘February Action” in 1943, which marked the beginning of the Bialystok ghetto’s liquidation, Kaplan wrote as if with blood the following words: ‘“‘How does one describe the destruc- tion of Bialystok as the author of the Book of Lamenta- tions would have adequately done? It 1s possible for me only to record cut and dried facts, indelibly inscribed in my memory, about the recent bleak and bloody days.” The following are excerpts from Kaplan’s diary, found after the war in the ruins of the ghetto, together with other records of the Judenrat. Shortly after completing the diary in March 1943 Kaplan died, no longer able to withstand the pain and suffering of his times. ...

... 1919 - February 19: Beginning of publication of Das Neue Leben, an independent democratic news- paper, under the editorship of Pejsach Kaplan. From 1931 it is known as Unzer Leben. ...

... Mojsze Wisocki — co-founder of Unzer Leben, daily newspaper. Journalist, publicist, lecturer; Asz. Amiel — Essayist; Mend! Goldman — poet and jour- nalist, known for his concise, subtle articles for Unzer Leben; J.L. Szacki — impassioned raconteur; Lejbl Fajans — Yiddish language specialist. Later a member of the Academy for the Hebrew language in Israel; Furje and Jehuda Lis — poets; Dowid Sapir — novelist and skit writer. He wrote a three part Yiddish novel, ...

... Nonetheless, the Jewish community in Bialystok supported cultural activities, carried on by the Jewish Arts Association, which had three sections: drama, music and literature. The music department featured a choir of seventy people whose director was Pejsach Kaplan, later the editor and theater critic of the Bialy- stok daily newspaper, Unzer Leben. The drama section was led by the author and teacher, Jakow Pat. Both put On programs in the Palace Theater, which attracted large audiences. A second cultural organization was also active, known as Hazamir. It distinguished itself with its large and high-quality orchestra. This creative atmosphere stimulated the growth of Jewish theater, even in those difficult times. ...