the peoples it had enslaved, the Jews among them treated with unprecedented barbarism. German preci- sion and efficiency dictated that first you extract the life’s blood from your victim and afterward eliminate him. , The following order illustrates the extortionate Nazi demands on the Jews: Judenrat Order No. 92 — August-September 1941: You are required to submit to the regime the fol- lowing by Wednesday, September 10, 1941, 6 PM: 30 tablecoths, identical in form and size; 20 curtains with cornices and shades; 10 large rugs; 10 table scarves; 10 lampshades; 10 wall pictures; 10 flat plates; 10 soup bowls; 100 small plates; 100 coffee cups; 100 coffee coasters; 100 plain beer steins; 100 crystal beer steins; 100 dessert dishes; 100 wine cups; 100 liquor glasses; 50 champagne glasses; 50 coffee pots; 15 sugar shakers; 15 milk pitchers; 20 ashtrays; 100 spoons; 100 forks; 100 knives; 100 forks and knives for fish; 50 tea glasses; 5 samovars, 15 meat platters; 15 cake plates; 14 sauce pans. The German nation, which always pretended to the role of leader of the civilized world, effortlessly shed its thin mantle of culture, ridding itself of its humanity as though it were an unnecessary burden. The beast removed its mask. It was sure that it would be victor- ious. This ferocious animal was finally to be conquered, but not without the world paying a high price. Jews made the greatest sacrifice — the loss of six million, among them fifty thousand Bialystoker Jews. A Tragic Celebration in the Ghetto On June 29, 1942, the first anniversary of the Nazi occupation of Bialystok, a celebration was held in the ghetto, attended by the members of the Judenrat, direc- tors of the ghetto institutions, factories and a number of other prominent leaders of the past and present. Understandably, there were many who thought they should have been invited and, because they were not, felt slighted. The “elders of the ghetto” sat at nicely decorated tables and those in positions of responsibility shared their feelings with the others present about the events of the past year, as well as their hopes for the future. The main figure at this gathering was of course Efrajim Barasz. Barasz explained why it simply was not possible to skip over this anniversary without taking stock of what had occurred. Addressing the group, he said, “‘I possess no adequate means of describing what we have endured during the past 365 days. It is hard to believe, and | suspect others in the future will be incredulous, what befell us. Happily we cannot predict the future, for if we had foreseen what would occur this past year we surely would not have survived the vision itself. Were I to issue a list of our troubles, just mentioning but not describing them, that list undoubtedly would be very The Bialystoker Memorial Book 99 long.” Then Barasz proceeded detailing a litany of twenty severe problems, “most tragic and unexpected.” סאש"‎ have not enjoyed one peaceful day when we did not have to fear that our lives were in danger.” He credited the Judenrat with causing various adverse edicts against the Jews to be rescinded or to be made less severe. He then listed some of the Judenrat’s major achievements: 1) Our ghetto factories, some created from nothing, have won the respect and admiration of our enemies. 2) The ghetto display demonstrates our achieve- ments and our potential for further progress. 3) We established schools and vocational training centers. 4) Our social relief organizations, including the hospital, continue to serve needy people as they did before the war. 5) Our vegetable gardens and other activities prove that Jews are useful. From various remarks made by Barasz and others, it was clear the Judenrat did not enjoy the unanimous approval of Jews in the ghetto. Apparently some felt the Judenrat was too close to the Nazi command and too eager to please it. Barasz insisted, therefore, that the council was doing everything possible to save the Jewish community of Bialystok and that its decisions were taken in an atmosphere of harmony and unity. The meeting ended with Rabbi Dr. Rozenman, the figurehead Chairman of the Judenrat, reciting a blessing for Bialystok and for the Jewish people. That blessing unfortunately did not come to pass, for on the second anniversary of the Nazi occupation, June 29, 1943, neither the Judenrat nor the Bialystok ghetto existed anymore. Not one of the leaders of the Jewish council survived the liquidation of the ghetto. The Bialystok Ghetto in the Aftermath of the Annihilation of Surrounding Jewish Communities On November 2, 1942, the entire vicinity around Bialystok, containing approximately 150,000 Jews, was evacuated. This meant that these unfortunate people were either murdered in their home communities or sent to the Treblinka death camp for the ‘final solu- .חסו}‎ ' This unmitigated catastrophe left a pall of terror over the Bialystok ghetto; the Jews wondered when their turn would come.

Moreover, the Nazi command ordered that the ghetto be made smaller — that is, several streets were officially removed from the ghetto boundaries, resulting In even less space for a dense population. The over- crowding and the suffering multiplied. Homeless men, women and children were forced to trek through the streets with their sacks on their shoulders, seeking refuge among their families and friends. Everyone assisted; the Judenrat building opened its doors to those thrown out in the street. FL