The beginnings of the Jewish settlement in Łomianki date back to the end of the 19^th century. Apart from Jews and Poles, the town was also inhabited by German Evangelical colonists. It is estimated that at the beginning of the 20^th century, 50% of the town’s population was Polish, 30% – German, and 20% – Jewish.

Jews lived in the very centre, at today’s Warszawska Street, close to a tannery operating on the former manor farm between Wiślana Street and Fabryczna Street. In 1891, Jewish entrepreneur Hersz Ber Raabe bought the farm with its manor house from the Poths family. The Raabe manor was often visited by poet Antoni Słonimski, who had been friends with Tadeusz Raabe since their school days. The late 19^th century also saw the foundation of the oldest inn in Łomianki. Run by Lewin, it was located on the corner of Wiślana Street and Warszawska Street. The wealthiest family in the town were probably the Rechtmans, who owned several properties and a timber yard in Łomianki. Large plots of land were also owned by the families Justman, Lam, and Szwarc.

In the 1921 census, 130 (43%) inhabitants of Łomianki Górne declared Jewish descent.

The Jewish community of Łomianki had its own synagogue, located between Racławicka Street and Wiślana Street. Designed by Stanisław Haberling, it was erected in 1935 with financial support of the Rechtman family. A wooden mikveh and a Jewish school were located near the synagogue.

In September 1940, the Germans created a small ghetto in Łomianki. However, at the beginning of October 1940 all Jews were ordered to leave the town and move to Solipse Fort in nearby Włochy. A group of 300 people went off route and managed to reach Warsaw, while 25 others arrived in Legionowo. Eventually, only 60 people showed up at Solipse Fort. At the time, Łomianki was inhabited by 300 Jews.

In early 1942, the Łomianki Jews imprisoned in Solipse Fort were sent to Warsaw.[1.1] Maria Justman survived the Holocaust. Stefan Bulaszewski risked his own life by hiding her in the cellar of the house of Maria and Marian Egierszdorff at 6 Majowa Street (currently 8 Majowa Street). After liberation, Maria Justman married her saviour.

Bibliography

• “Lomianki Gorne,” [in] The Encyclopedia of Jewish Life Before and During the Holocaust, eds. Sh. Spector, G. Wigoder, vol. 2, New York 2001, p. 746.