Linas Hatzedek

... Health and Sanitation — the Judenrat established a hospital for acutely ill adults and a second facility to accommodate sick children. A third hospital took care of contagious patients. This department was also responsible for sanitation and hygiene throughout the ghetto. The Linas Hatzedek building housed a unit for treating ambulatory patients, staffed by a large number of doctors. Dental and therapy services were provided in the Linas Cholim building. In addition, an obstetrical section was created, which, surprisingly, was used a great deal. Each factory had its own doctors and nurses who administered treatment on the spot. The Sanitation Department operated a number of public baths. The Nazis, who crammed the large Jewish population into pigsty conditions, paradoxically required absolute cleanliness, so as not to infect the Aryan German race. In this Bialystok distinguished itself. For example, there was not one case of typhus reported. Any infectious dis- ease that did occur, probably originating outside the ghetto, was promptly isolated, entire streets in the ghetto quarantined until the contagion was eradicated. ...

... In the minutes of Judenrat meetings, we often find that Rabbi Rozenman and Efrajim Barasz chided the population for being lax in reporting to work. At one meeting in the hall of the Linas Hatzedek, Dr. Rozen- man proclaimed in a doomsday tone, “An orgy of rebellion is rampant throughout the ghetto. The rules are disobeyed. People do not show up for work. All of this will rain destruction upon our heads.” ...

... Bialystok produced a significant number of its own actors and entertainers: Jehuda Grynhojz, Isroel Beker, actor and director of Habimah National Theater in Israel; Jakow Suzanowicz, Zalmen Kolesznikow, Renje Glikman, Ester Zewkina, Isroel Birnboym, Szymon Osowicki, Izchok Gelczynski, Nina Sibircowa and oth- ers. In the late 1920’s a small Yiddish theater troupe named Gilah Rinah was established, funded by the Linas Hatzedek (charity institution) in Bialystok. Its founders were Wiktor Bubrik and Tepicer. Its first programs consisted of Russian comedy, translated into Yiddish by: Pejsach Kaplan, Mend! Goldman, Sztejnsapir and others. The musical director was M. Szaberman, the art director, Rozenecki. This company came to enjoy much success, specializing in original Yiddish repertoire and songs, and avoiding translations from other languages. ...

... In 1918, a Maccabee sports group was formed in Bia- lystok, headquartered at the Linas Hatzedek. No official approval for this club was granted by the Polish author- ities. Shortly afterwards, a second group, the “Record,” was organized. ...

One of the distinguishing features of the Jewish community in Bialystok was its absolute dedication to assisting the poor. The community established its own Jewish hospital, a Linas Hatzedek (a free clinic where physicians donated their services to the destitute and medications were dispensed gratis), an old age home, orphanages, aid societies and lending institutions. Many individuals, both men and women, felt an obligation to serve as alms collectors. They solicited donations from the Jewish population and then distributed the funds to the needy. The poor were also provided with wood and coal for heat, food for the Jewish holidays, money to help pay their rent, and marriage dowries for their daughters. All of this was done quietly and with the ...