The origins of the Jewish community in Chmielnik date back to the middle of the 16th century. At that time, Chmielnik was a multi-faith town. The Arians dominated here until 1658, when they were expelled from the town[1.1].

The Jewish population grew rapidly and, on 18th April 1630, the then owner of Chmielnik, Krzysztof Gołuchowski, granted them a privilege

“permitting them to settle, establish various trades, wineries, taverns and buildings on squares, as well as a synagogue and schools”[1.2].

The document facilitated the process of further development of the Jewish community in the town and legally supported its business activity.

In the first half of the 17th century, the community must have been numerous and wealthy, as evidenced by the then built, large and architecturally sophisticated synagogue. The synagogue, located north of the market square, was erected in 1638. The front elevation of the building overlooked the street which leads perpendicularly from the north-eastern corner of the market square. There were also other public community buildings surrounding the synagogue: Talmudic house, the rabbi's apartment, schools and the like. A cemetery adjoined the north-side elevation of the synagogue. As a result of the economic development of Chmielnik, the Jewish community expanded its territory beyond the previously occupied area, opening shops, workshops and building houses in locations inhabited also by other nations. After the exile of the Arians, Jewish people occupied the abandoned houses and shops.

During the Swedish Invasion a tragedy occurred: the Jewish population of Chmielnik was almost exterminated. As many as 100 families were murdered[1.3].

In 1674, poll tax was paid by only 65 Jews. In 1722, the parish priest of Sędziejowice, Stanisław Odymalski, obtained a donation from the synagogue in Chmielnik in the amount of 2,000 Polish zlotys for the hospital in Sędziejowice. During the life of Cardinal Jan Lipski, Bishop of Krakow, the Jewish community began building a brick synagogue but, after his death, the project was abandoned. In 1748, Chmielnik had a wooden synagogue and two houses serving as schools. In the years 1747-1749, 100 Jewish families lived in the territory of the Chmielnik parish. According to the 1764 census, Chmielnik numbered 1,445 Jews, not including children under one, whereas in 1787, 836 Jews, including 782 in the town alone[1.4].

In 1775, Jews owned 62 houses (including the town hall) on the Market Square, 29 at Szydłowska Street, 26 at Pierzchnicka Street and 33 at Pińczowska Street. There were 484 Jews registered during the census of 1789: 426 landlords, 36 traders and merchants, and 22 journeymen and those unclassified. In the 17th century, Jews from Chmielnik engaged primarily in trade in grain, animals and wood.

In the following century, they were already represented within a variety of professions - 1 owner of a brewery, 2 leaseholders of a brewery in the town hall, 1 winemaker, 10 warehousemen, 1 dray driver, 9 tailors, 4 hatters, 1 knitter, 2 lacemakers, 1 goldsmith, 6 butchers, 4 bakers, 1 soap manufacturer, 3 candle manufacturers, 1 cutler, 1 bookbinder, 2 lime manufacturers, 1 rabbi, 2 cantors, 1 sacristan, 1 ritual butcher, 1 digger, 8 religion teachers, 1 klezmer, 1 wedding jester, 1 watchman, and 1 coppersmith[1.5].

Moreover, in the 18th century, Jews from Chmielnik owned large quantities of cattle, in which they traded with Podole. They also sold grain to Prussia and Silesia. On fairs in Chmielnik, they sold large quantities of fabric imported from Silesia: French velvet, damask and linen.

There is a source text, dated 10th May 1808, originating from the times when the Chłapowski family was the town owner, which has survived until today. It is an agreement concluded between the district governor, Józef Chłapowski, and the Jewish community, which said that the Jewish people would have their own vodka and beer taproom and that each Jewish landlord would be allowed to produce vodka, as well as brew and tap beer[1.6].

This fact was important for the further economic development of the community, both in the direction of the market – the town’s commercial centre – as well as in terms of expansion of the external district borders.

The territorial development of Chmielnik and population growth continued throughout the entire 19th and early 20th centuries. According to a description written by Mayor Franciszek Gnoiński in 1820, Chmielnik was then inhabited by 632 Jews and only 590 Christians. The Jewish community had a synagogue, two schools and a cemetery adjoining the synagogue, and it spent large sums of money on the maintenance of its property. In 1819, it was recorded that the maintenance of schools, synagogue and the cemetery cost 4,700 zlotys. Since the old cemetery, founded in the 17th century, was too small, a new one was established in July 1820 at the intersection of Mrucza and Mała Streets[1.7]].

The Jewish community in Chmielnik was subject to the district of Kraków and Sandomierz, whose headquarters was located in the Kazimierz district of Kraków. In the second half of the 17th century, the district headquarters was moved to Pinczów, where a Jewish community developed intensively. According to sources, Szymon Jakow Jekiel was the first Rabbi of Chmielnik. Before coming to the town, he was a judge of Talmudic law and the head of a yeshiva in Pińczów, a respected authority in the field of rabbinic law. He was a delegate to the Council of Four Lands in Jarosław in 1699[1.8].

In 1702, a new Rabbi of Chmielnik was elected, namely a native inhabitant of Pińczów, Eliezer, the son of Jehuda of the Aszkenazi family. He was a renowned commentator on the Talmud and author of several dissertations. In 1730, he assumed the position of Rabbi of the Kraków and Sandomierz district in Pińczów.

In the 18th century, the position of Rabbi in Chmielnik was successively assumed by Dawid Szmelka (the son of Juda Lejba who was the Rabbi of Szydłów and Kraków, a delegate to the Council of Four Lands in 1728, compromised by disputes with his brother concerning rabbinical positions), Józef Landau (from a family originating from Kraków whose members were known for assuming rabbinical positions in communities in the entire district) and Józef Ittinger (son of the Rabbi of Lviv and son-in-law of Kraków’s rabbi Icchak Landau), who remained in office until the 1790s.

At the end of the 18th century, Hasidic Jews joined the community in Chmielnik. Eliezer Lipa Weissblum, one of the sons of tzadik Elimelech of Leżajsk, settled in town. Like his father, he was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. Dawid Landau was the first follower of Hassidism holding the position of Rabbi of Chmielnik.

In the first half of the 19th century, Chmielnik was dominated by the Hasidic followers of Menachem Mendel Morgensztern from Kock. Tzadik Menachem Mendel called for support for the November Uprising, himself also being a strong supporter. In 1831, Jews from Chmielnik even took an oath in the synagogue, recognising the decision of the Parliament regarding the removal of Tsar Nicholas I from the Polish throne. Such an oath was also taken by all Catholics[1.9].

In 1821, the Tsarist authorities closed down Jewish communal institutions. Synagogue supervision was then established, restricting the influence of the Jewish elders. Since then, communities were supposed to be managed by three so-called "elders", who, together with the rabbi, were obliged to determine the Community Council budget for the needs of the community. The funds were supposed to come from fees for religious services, which were previously collected by the rabbi, and from contributions of the community members. Members were divided into five categories, according to their affluence. The poorest members were exempted from paying[1.10].

According to Opisanie historyczne oraz topograficzno-statystyczne [Historical, topographic and statistical description] by Franciszek Gnoiński, in 1820, Chmielnik was inhabited by 632 Jews and 590 Christians. In the second half of the 19th century, as a result of migration from areas of the Russian Empire, there was an increase in the Jewish population of Chmielnik – in 1860, it totalled 2,724 people.

The free economic development of Chmielnik was hindered by the significant burden of contributions paid by the inhabitants to the court. This was a cause of conflicts between the landowner of Chmielnik and the Jews and Poles who lived there.

One of the first fires that hit Chmielnik broke out on 25 August 1811. Dozens of homes and almost half of the town burned down. According to a report drawn up on this fire:

28 houses burned down in the town of Chmielnik, together with all fixed and non-fixed assets. Nine houses were damaged, their roofs were partially burned and partially torn away. Fifteen Jewish houses were also destroyed, together with goods, grain and other goods stored inside. As a result of this fire, the Landlord of Chmielnik, Józef Chłapowski, lost the town hall, for which he had collected 2,000 Polish zlotys in rent. He also lost 6 shops for which merchants had paid 784 zlotys; 6 slaughterhouses for which butchers had paid 72 zlotys and the Traktycki House, used by a blacksmith who had paid 549 zlotys. Altogether, the landlord lost 3,396 zlotys in the fire, as the fire affected a substantial part of the town of Chmielnik, in particular, the town centre and market square.

The documents suggest that the Jewish inhabitants of the town suffered enormous losses due to the fire[1.11]. Statistical data from 1827 indicate that at that time there were 197 houses and 1,514 inhabitants in Chmielnik. By 1849 there was almost twofold increase in the town population. Chmielnik had already 2,914 inhabitants, including 1,976 Jews.

In 1849, another great fire hit the town and destroyed 75% of its buildings. Among 1157 fire victims there were 950 Jews. Apart from houses and farm buildings, a synagogue, two kahal schools, town council, postal station, elementary school and parish hospital burned down. As many as 1157 people were left homeless, including 207 Catholics and 950 Jews. Losses suffered by the town in stored commodities amounted to 63,930 silver roubles[1.12]. Fire affected Chmielnik also eight years later. Mostly Jewish houses burned down. In 1865, there were 254 buildings in Chmielnik, 190 of which belonged to Jews.

However, natural disasters did not halt the development of the town. A convenient geographic location and steadily growing transit trade, whose centre was in Chmielnik, resulted in constant and very rapid population growth. In 1852, the town had a population of 3,186, and by 1860, 3,488 inhabitants, including 2272 Jews. There were 285 houses, including 73 of brick.

During this period, the Jewish Community Council had four buildings occupying an area of 1 morgen and 50 rods, and funds provided by the Jewish Community Cooperative to maintain the synagogue ranged from 400 and 500 zlotys – in 1865, they even exceeded 700 zlotys.

In 1860, there were already 285 houses, including 73 brick buildings in Chmielnik. At that time, the town was inhabited by 3,488 people, i.e. 2724 Jews and only 764 Poles. In 1876, another fire destroyed almost the entire town. As many as 208 homes and 416 outbuildings burned down. Losses amounted to 153,204 silver roubles in terms of buildings and 140,000 silver roubles in commodities. Another great fire in 1876 slowed development of the town down and caused income to decline. That time, the fire destroyed 208 houses and over 400 outbuildings. Owing to the mandatory insurance and government assistance, the inhabitants of Chmielnik quickly rebuilt the houses and workshops[1.13].

Trading was the main source of income in the second half of the 19th century. Fairs in Chmielnik were some of the largest in the entire governorate. People traded in farm animals, leather and agricultural produce. During fairs, they also sold cheese, butter, eggs, fish, wool, tar, construction and firewood, linen, furs, iron, glass, pots, handmade haberdashery such as threads, ribbons, blades (the so-called norymberszczyzna), and books[1.14]

Trade in Chmielnik was linked to agriculture. At the end of the 19th century, 124 out of 222 merchants and traders were engaged in the retail purchase of leather, milk, dairy products, eggs, vegetables and fruits in local villages. 25 merchants from Chmielnik traded in grain, 11 in wood, 30 were engaged in the processing of feathers, 14 in purchasing poultry, 2 wool, 4 eggs and only 2 in purchasing hogs (for religious reasons it was not popular among Jewish people). The important role of fairs in Chmielnik decreased after the construction of a railway line, which bypassed the town. Craftsmanship and small-scale production developed in Chmielnik as well. “Gazeta Kielecka” [Kielce Newspaper] recorded 42 manufacturing workshops, including 34 tanneries and numerous cloth and leather factories.

Small-scale industry was a part of the town's economy, satisfying the main local needs. Chaim Frank’s limestone mine, which employed seven people, was one of the major factories. A limestone mine was also run by Eliasz Szlama in Ptasznik. Moszek Nussengarten produced carbonated water and Icek Rajza produced fruit wines. An oil mill belonged to Szlama Brykman, a brewery to Icek Dąb, and a soap and candle factory to Moszek Pasternak. Trade in Chmielnik was almost entirely dominated by Jews. As many as 90.2% of 347 permanent outlets had Jewish owners[1.15].

Craftsmen belonged to the Jewish Carpenters Guild, headed by Jankiel Gorlicki. There was also an active Guild of Jewish Butchers and a Guild of Bakers and Confectioners. Jankiel Jedwabny was the elder of these organizations. A guild was also established by shoemakers, shoe upper makers and saddlers. Szmerla Nożyc was its elder. The Guild of Jewish Craftsmen was headed by Josek Lewkowicz.

Commercial establishments in Chmielnik included more than 70 grocery stores and retail outlets, 3 restaurants, 6 shops selling meat, 2 shops selling ice cream, soda and candy, a tea room, pubs, shops selling butter, eggs, bread, fruit, etc. The Agricultural Machines Factory owned by Eliasz Sztrauch and the Soap Factory run by Pinkus Lewkowicz were the most popular factories. In addition, there were various smaller and larger haberdashery shops, shoe shops, sale of clothes, underwear, trade in coal, wood, leather, iron, watchmaker’s shop, bookshop, etc.

The development of crafts and trade required the assistance of credit institutions. During the inter-war period, the following Jewish credit institutions operated in Chmielnik: Bank Handlowo-Przemysłowy [Bank of Commerce and Industry] established on 19 November 1923. I. Mincberg was appointed its president. In 1930, under the decision of a General Meeting, the bank was closed due to insolvency. Kasa Kredytowa [Credit Office] was founded by 13 Jews and, on 16 June 1929, its name was changed to Bank Kredytowy [Credit Bank]. Josek Działowski was its president. In 1934, the institution was liquidated due to cash deficits caused by its activity. Bank Kupiecki [Merchants’ Bank] was established on 10th April 1922, but was closed in the following year. Herman Leszman was its president. Another financial institution, Bank Dyskontowy [Discount Bank] was founded in 1924, but was also closed after several months. It was headed by Mojżesz Fajngold[1.16].

The most well-known and popular Jewish political organisation in the inter-war period was the Agudas Yisroel Organization of Orthodox Jews (Agudath). Abram Fisz, Wolf Wajnryb and Abram Czapnik were among the leaders of the party. There was also an active Zionist youth association called Brit Trumpeldor headed by Isacher Kaneercukier, Cydyk Lejman and Izrael Wajnberg. 25 people belonged to this association. In the mid-twenties, the Mizrachi Orthodox Zionists Organization became active. Its program was based on the slogan “Religion, Work, Learning”. The organization had approximately 50 members. The Jewish Cultural and Educational Association “Jawne” was under its influence. In April 1934, the Mizrachi organization prepared an amateur performance, the proceeds from which were spent on material aid for Palestinian immigrants. In October that year, Mizrachi organised a reading by Doctor Gottesoliner on “the rebuilding of Palestine and impressions from a stay in Palestine.” The speaker called for donations for the rebuilding of Palestine and enabling the emigration of Jewish people[1.17].

There were also two other Jewish political parties: the Jewish Socialist Party “Poale Zion” (PZ – Right Wing) and “Poale Zion-Left Wing” (PZ - Left Wing), which ran its own library.

Matters relating to the community were managed by the Jewish Community Council. In 1929, its offices were located in one of its own buildings. It owned a synagogue, 2 nurseries, a bathhouse, slaughterhouse (new building, unfinished), 2 walled cemeteries – the old one and a new one with a square, kahal house, a school in Pierzchnica, and a square containing the ruins of the synagogue in Piotrkowice[1.18].

In 1929, the Community Council Board consisted of Dawid Zylberberg (Chairman, Orthodox, medium-scale merchant), Mendel Majer Gutman (Vice-Chairman, Orthodox, medium-scale merchant), Abram Sztrauch (Orthodox, owner of the “Celiny” estate), Herszel Sztrum (craftsman, member of Poale Zion-Right Wing), Dawid Zalcman (merchant, Zionist) and Lejbuś Pasternak (a member of the Mizrachi organisation). Other board members included Josek Moszenberg, Isachar Kanercukier, Berek Granek, Jankiel Wajnberg, Lejzor Abramowicz, Szlama Zylberberg, Jankiel Płuciennik, Dawid Tyzon, Ajzyk Pion, Izrael Browarnik, Icek Dziura, and Jankiel Moszek Guzman.

Jewish shareholders owned Bank Handlowo-Przemysłowy [Bank of Commerce and Industry], Bank Ludowy [People’s Bank], Kasa Kredytowa [Credit Office], Bank Kupiecki [Merchants’ Bank] and Bank Dyskontowy [Discount Bank].

The Community Council in Chmielnik was one of the larger ones. It elected a Council and the Board. The following men were active community members for many years: Icek Moszenberg, Izahar Kainczenkier, Lejzor Abramowicz, Jankiel Moszek Gluzman, Berek Granek, Szloma Zylberberg, Jankiel Wajnberg, Dawid Tyson, Icek Dzioża, Ajzyk Pion, Josek Bronowicki, and Jankiel Płócienik. The following, in turn, were active Board members: Josek Dawid Zylberberg, Majer Mendel Gutman, Abram Sztrauch, Dawid Zalcman, Lejb, Chawa Wilczyk, Lejbuś Pasternak, Herszel Szloma, Chaim Mały, and Sylmian Tobiasz.  The income of the Community Council came from communal fees, kosher slaughter, burial fees, fees for tombstones, matzos, weddings, donations and real assets. The budget served to maintain the synagogue and pay remuneration to Rabbi Sylman Tobiasz, two shochetim, two cantors and one undertaker. It also provided funds for the maintenance of Talmud Torah, Bais Yaakov and Keren Hayesod, for donations to the National Fund, the Fund for Poor Workers in Palestine and the J. Piłsudski Orphanage in Busko.

In 1931, the Beit Hamidrash and Community Council’s office were renovated. The Board began collecting overdue communal fees. This became one of the causes of conflict in the community and led to the decision to hold a new election for Board members. This time, Moszek Melman, Dawid Mappa, Moszek Lemberg, Jankiel Moszkowicz, Izrael Kaufman, Herszel Sztrum, Jankiel Wajnberg and Majer Mendel Gutman were elected to the Board. In 1933, election of a new Rabbi of Chmielnik was held. The position was assumed by Lejzor Szyja Epsztajn from Raków, who remained the Rabbi until 1939[[ref:|State Archive in Kielce, Kielce Provincial Office 1919–1939, file no. 1620]]. Apart from Rabbi Epsztajn, the list of rabbis of Chmielnik from 1939 also mentions a "lower rabbi", Tobiasz-Josek Sylman.

In 1938, Chmielnik was inhabited by 6,670 Jews. Contributions to the communal budget were paid by 545 families. The value of non-fixed assets was estimated at 50,000 zlotys, and of the fixed immovables, including a synagogue, four houses of prayer, cheder, mikveh and cemetery at 250,000 zlotys. Community Council debts amounted to 27,000 zlotys.

In September 1939, the Jewish population of Chmielnik numbered from 5,700 to 5,900 people. But soon, as the result of an influx of refugees, this number increased to about 12,000 inhabitants. During the occupation, about 11,500 people were killed and displaced by the Germans, and only about 500 Jewish people survived.

The German army marched into Chmielnik on 4 September 1939. First came two tanks, one from the direction of Busko, and the other from the direction of Pińczów. Chaim-Wolf Moszkowicz, who served as an armed civil guard, was killed by the tank entering the town from the direction of Pińczów. He was buried in the Jewish cemetery. Although Chmielnik did not resist, the Germans began the occupation with a destruction of property, arrests and executions. On the night of 4 September 1939, 14 Jews, as well as the local prefect of public schools, Rev. Władysław Kwieciński, were dragged from their homes and forcibly placed into the Jewish house of prayer “Torah” at Sienkiewicza Street. The building was then set on fire. Only Rev.Władysław Kwieciński survived. The remaining people were burned or killed while trying to escape. Those who died were Berek Trombecki, Joel Unger, Wajl Szmul-Elja, Goldsztajn (a tailor), two rabbis from Chęciny, Margules and others remain unknown. The building that housed the Jewish Communiy Council office was burned, as well. In the evening of that day, the Germans broke into and looted about 50 Jewish shops.

During the occupation in Chmielnik, a total of 178 residential buildings and 164 outbuildings were destroyed, and 185 residential buildings and 56 private outbuildings were damaged. The building of the vocational high school, as well as private buildings occupied by the Municipal Board and Post Office, were burned. The following industrial buildings were destroyed: 4 soap and candles factories, 7 tanneries, a steam sawmill, a lime kiln, 2 watermills; the municipal power plant (along with the entire street network), 3 mechanical carpentry workshops; 6 hand-operated mechanical oil mills; about 700 commercial establishments (shops); and about 600 craft workshops. Total losses, according to the pre-war valuations, amounted to 2,150,000 zlotys. It was mostly Jewish property[1.19].

The ghetto in Chmielnik was established in the first half of 1941. It covered the entire town of Chmielnik, excluding the streets directly adjacent to fields. In October 1942, about 13,000 people were forced into the ghetto. On 1 October 1942, approximately 1,000 young men and women were forcibly displaced to the temporary labour camp in Skarżysko-Kamienna. Those who remained in the ghetto were also used various types of work, mostly road works. Over the time of the ghetto's existence, about 350 Jews were shot. The bodies of the victims were buried in the Jewish cemetery (about 250 people) and in the old Catholic cemetery (about 250 people). During the liquidation of the ghetto, which lasted from 6 October 1942 to March 1943, its inhabitants were deported to the death camp in Treblinka, while some were killed along the way.

The first deportation took place on 6 October 1942. People were sent in the direction of Chęciny. Most of them went on foot, only some on wagons. On that day, the Germans killed about 200 people and more than 9,000 people were deported. During the second deportation, which took place on 16 November 1942, about 700 people were taken in the direction of Stopnica, and during the third one, on 10 December 1942, about 200 people were sent in the direction of Staszów[1.1.19].

After the war, a dozen or so Jews returned to Chmielnik, but they soon left the town. The are no Jews in Chmielnik currently. However, the memory of the town's Jewish history is being restored. Since 2003, the June Encounters with Jewish Culture are held here. Students from local schools prepare Jewish-related meetings, concerts and performances. There are concerts by klezmer bands, mainly composed of young Polish musicians (e.g. “Chmielnikersi”). The events have been attended by, among others, Meir Mały, born in Chmielnik and residing in Israel.

Bibliography:

• Baranowski J., Synagoga w Chmielniku, “Biuletyn Żydowskiego Instytutu Historycznego” 1960, no. 36.
• Guldon Z., Krzystanek K., Ludność żydowska w miastach lewobrzeżnej części województwa sandomierskiego w XVI–XVIII wieku, Kielce 1996.
• Krawczyk P., Dzieje gminy żydowskiej w Chmielniku [online] https://www.chmielnik.com/asp/ [accessed: 21.03.2020].
• Maciągowski M., Krawczyk P., Żydzi w historii Chmielnika, Kielce 2006.
• Sabor A., Sztetl. Śladami żydowskich miasteczek. Działoszyce – Pińczów – Chmielnik – Szydłów – Chęciny, Kraków 2005.