Jews first started to settle in Lubartów at the end of the 16^th century. Some of them acquired estates there, for example Józef of Kazimierz, who in 1571 purchased a property on the Town Square from Kasper Kaznowski. The first historical record of a Jewish community in Lubartów comes from 1592 when:

Jędrzej Męczyński and his wife, Zofia, sold and transferred a house with its rear area to Jews Jozef, Łazarz, Juda and Aaron, who are at this time the elders of the Jewish commoners and who bought this property for the use of those commoners for 60 zł [1.1].

Even before 1592, an autonomous religious community in Lubartów had already been formed.

In the 17^th century, the Jewish population of Lubartów dealt with trade (grain trade, among others) and crafts. Jonasz Perec and Samson Koplowicz oversaw the transport of grain to Gdańsk. They even owned their own galars (rectangular rowing boats used to transport cargo down the river) that were anchored in various ports along the Vistula river. Apart from tailors and hatters, the town was also inhabited by bookbinders, soap-makers, medical assistants, goldsmiths and jewellers. A guild for Jewish and Christian craftsmen operated in the town. Jews also earned money from leasing gardens and farms. Most of the Jewish population lived on Lubelska Street, where the Great Synagogue (Lubelska 12) and the Jewish cemetery were located.

Between 1648 and 1649, the Jewish community of Lubartów was decimated by the Cossack uprising led by Hetman Bohdan Khmelnystky, but soon after, in the 1670s, it started to emerge. In 1676, there were 80 Jews living in Lubartów (37% of the entire population). The Jews were allowed to produce and sell alcoholic beverages (out of 16 breweries operating in the town,15 were owned by Jews). They had their own court presided over by the rabbi. It dealt with religious and property matters, as well as with minor litigations.

In the 17^th and 18^th century, the Jews of Lubartów obtained a number of privileges. In 1678, Dymitr Korybut Wiśniowiecki released an act based on previous privileges which allowed the Jews to build houses and deal in trade and crafts without any limitations. Later on, Jews were granted more privileges by Józef Lubomirski (in 1688), Józef Sanguszko (in 1780) and Janusz Sanguszko (in 1796).

In the 1760s, Lubartów was visited by Levi Yitzchok of Berdyczów (Ukr. Berditchev) – the Great Maggid of Międzyrzecz (Ukr. Mezhirichi) in the Wołyń region (Ukr.  Volyn). He was one of the forerunners of Hasidic Judaism in the Kingdom of Poland and a close friend of Shmelke of Nikolsburg, the rabbi of Ryczywół (Sandomierz Province).

In 1769, Duchess Barbara Urszula Sanguszkowa wrote Zbiór powinności miasta Lubartowa i Firleja (The set of duties of the town of Lubartów and Firlej). The document obliged Jews to pay 150 zł for horse wagons. They were also forced to pay 60 zł if they wished to be discharged from the duty of repairing municipal fences. Along with the Christian community, the Jewish people were supposed to keep night watch over the town. The community of Lubartów was also obliged to pay for the lease of rights to slaughter animals – the price was 20 kamieni (about 40 stone) of tallow a year, as well as six tallow candles each winter and five each summer (those served to provide light in the castle guardhouse). Moreover, Jews had to supply the Lubartów garrison with gunpowder and pay property rental charge of 10 zł a year – much more than the charge paid by Christians (1,20 zł). If a property was located on a prestigious street, the rental fee for Jews was even higher – they had to pay 4,15 zł for estates on Kamionkowska and Browarna Streets (Christians paid 0,25 zł).

One of the wealthiest Jewish families in the town was the Perec family. They imported furs, tea and tobacco from Russia. Among the traders working for the court were: Herszek Perec, Moszek Perec, Jonas Szmulowicz, Wolf Michlewicz, Ajzyk Majerowicz and Szmul Majerowicz. The Lubartów community had great importance in the region – in 1766, the rabbi of Lubartów, Izaak, was one of the elders of the Jewish Lublin Municipality (Ziemstwo Lubelskie). In the 18^th century, the Lubartów community became the second biggest (after Lublin) community in Lubelskie Province.

In the second half of the 18^th century, 163 houses in Lubartów were owned by Jews. 324 of the Jewish inhabitants of the town lived on the Town Square, 143 – on Lubelska Street, 200 – on Krzywe Koło Street, and 98 – on Kamionkowska Street. In 1789, the Jewish people of Lubartów owned 248 houses in the town, compared to 201 owned by Christians. By the end of the 18^th century, a Jewish hospital had been opened. It operated mainly thanks to donations and was most probably destroyed during the November Uprising.

There were 3,150 people living in Lubartów in 1820, including 1,985 Jews (63% of the entire population). Seven years later, the Jewish population grew up to 2,074 people (57,5%). Jewish people traded not only among themselves, but also with the Christians. In 1826, there were six Jewish hatters, seven tailors, five butchers and two bakers in Lubartów.

In the 1830s, Jonas Zilber, Motyl Welnder i Icek Majer Kopel became members of the Synagogue Supervision. In 1819, Jonasz Szaja Perec bequeathed a yearly interest (10 zł for every 1000 zł) to the local cemetery. He also donated a number of Talmudic and legal writings to the synagogue and ordered for the profits made from his stalls to be used to pay for lighting in the synagogue. He also made financial contributions to synagogues in Łęczna and Międzyrzec. In 1826, another wealthy trader, Dawid Mendlowicz, bequeathed an interest of 300 zł to Jewish schools in Lubartów. In the first half of the 19^th century, a new Jewish cemetery was created – it was located south of the Town Square, near Cicha Street.

Between 1860 and 1863 the local government was investigating a case of unlawful distribution of contributions to the synagogue by the rabbi Berk Kohn. Due to the proceedings, the rabbi lost his position. This decision was strongly opposed by the majority of the Jewish community in Lubartów. Thanks to the pleads of the Jews of Lubartów, the rabbi continued to fulfill his duties.

In the years 1890 – 1907, the rabbi of Lubartów was Szloma Pud. He was later succeeded by Szulim Kohn (probably Berk Kohn's son), who fulfilled the function up until 1912. The next person to become the rabbi was Wigdor Lejbuś Gelblum (who lived on Lubelska Street no. 33). At the time, there were two rabbis working simultaneously – the second one was Chaim Jonas Szryft (living on Piękna Street no. 19). Dawid Goldman, Szmul Kuperman and Lejbuś Ber Grynger were the chazans and Aron Lerner along with Abram Krajcer – the secretaries.

In 1900, Lubartów had 6870 inhabitants, including 3855 Jewish people (56%). The wealthiest Jewish family at the time was the Kirszenberg family, who owned the Zagrody farm. Izrael Kirszenberg and his wife, Chaja Ruchla Kirszenberg, were both avid advocates of Hasidic Judaism. The family's wealth gave them recognition throughout the entire Kingdom of Poland. Some other rich families at the time were the Finkelsztajns and the Goldglases.

At the beginning of the 20^th century, the contribution paid to the synagogue amounted to 677 roubles and 66 kopeks. The charge for lease of mikveh was 312 roubles a year. The income of the Jewish community was as follows: the rabbi earned 350 roubles a year; the treasurer of the community – 52 roubles and 15 kopeks; the writer in charge of the chancery and the shkolnik looking after the synagogue – 15 roubles each; the guard watching over the community's estate – 30 roubles. Each year, 314 roubles and 54 kopeks were spent on maintenance of Jewish hospitals located outside the town. Some of the wealthiest Jews organised charity events to help raise funds for the poor. The person in charge of collecting money was Rywa Lazer. The community of Lubartów was comprised of the following settlements: Firlej (296 Jews), Sobolew (11), Serock (9), Wólka Rokicka (34), Zagrody (14), Ziółków (35), Zezulin (28), Rozkopaczew (40), Serniki (27), Kaznów (10), folwark Krokanie (5), Brzeźnica (32), Górka Lubartowska (11), Berejów (32), Tarło (42), Nowy Dwór (19) and Kijany (47).

In 1907, Srul Rajchnudel opened a book store along with a printing shop and a bindery in the town[1.2]. They were located on Lubelska Street no. 8. Right across the street there was another book store, owned by Szyja Suchowolski (Lubelska Street no. 7). Chana Dykszajn also had her won book store, located in the cheder (Cmentarna Street no. 10). Wolf Weinberg owned an oil factory and a groats manufacture in the town. They were located on Kamionkowa Street no. 37 (the present Legionów Street). At the time, most of horse-drawn carriages in Lubartów were owned by Jews.

The majority of the Jewish population lived on Klitki I and Klitki II streets. In total, those two streets were inhabited by 158 Jews.

In 1913, there were 8220 people living in Lubartów, including 4466 Jews (54%). In the 1920s, a Merchant Cooperative Bank operated there. Its president was Szmul Giwercer. There was also a Cooperative Fund in the town, with management board comprised of Moszek Feldman, Jankiel Montail and Szloma Olberg.

During the interwar period, the synagogue, two cemeteries, the mikvah (located on the corner of Orlicz-Dreszera and Pierackiego streets)[[refr: |Under the Nazi occupation, about 60-140 Jews were murdered in the building; cf. R. Kuwałek, P. Sygowski, Z dziejów społeczności żydowskiej w Lubartowie, in: Lubartów i ziemia lubartowska, Lubartów 2000, p. 74; R. J. Dumało, Wojna, okupacja, wyzwolenie – Lubartów 1939–1949, Lublin 2001, p. 94.]], the ritual slaughterhouse and the communal Talmud-Torah remained under the control of the Jewish community. The community also owned squares located by Lubelska and Piłsudskiego streets[1.3]. In 1927, a number of charity organisations were created, all controlled by the community. Those were: Gemilut Chesed (which granted interest-reduced loans) and Towarzystwo Dobroczynne “Acher-Eizer” (“Acher-Eizer Charitable Society). In 1936, Jewish Charitable Society “Hachnusas Orchim“ was established in the town. The organization helped the homeless and the poor. Morever, there were a Jewish Craftsmen Union and an Association of Small Traders in the town.

The town bustled with political activity – various Jewish political parties operated there, including cells of numerous Zionist organisations, the first of which was created before WWI. Some of the parties active at the time were the orthodox-Zionist Mizrachi Party (established in 1920), the orthodox Aguda Party and the General Zionists Organisation (both established in 1924). There were also divisions of the Bund and the Poale Zion Left operating in Lubartów – their meetings took place in the I.L. Prec Library, created in 1923.

Since 1929, various youth organisations operated in the town, e.g. the Zionist He-Halutz (Pioner) organisation and the Josef Trumpeldor Association of Jewish Scouts, which remained under the influence of Zionist organisations. In addition, the “Bar Kochba” Jewish Gymnastics Society was created in Lubartów in 1924 – it had two teams (“Gwiazda” and “Makabi”) under its auspices.

The first election to the Municipal Board after WWI took place in 1924. The members of the Board were: Moszek Joel Feldman, Gdala Kijewski, Moszek Aron Hekier and Szmul Rubinsztajn. In 1929, a number of Jews were elected as members of the Town Council of Lubartów – those were two members of the Mizrachi Party, three General Zionists, two Bund members and one representative of Poale Zion Right. There was also one Jewish person working in the District Council.

In 1938, several Jews were members of the Town Council of Lubartów. Those were: Szloma Ber Cieśla, Szloma Icek Finkielsztajn, Szmul Majer Goldman, Dawid Perec, Szloma Olberg and Chaim-Symcha Persyko. The Jewish community also had its representatives in the District Committee of the National Defense Fund, established by the district governor in May of 1938; they were: Cieśla Szloma Ber, Feldman Moszko, Goldfinger Boruch, Perec Dawid, Maurycy Silberman and Majer Weberman.

Due to the continuously deepening economic recession, the predicament of the Jews of Lubartów in the interwar period was quite difficult. Despite their economic activities, many were forced to migrate, which resulted in the decline in the number of Jewish inhabitants of Lubartów. In 1939, Jews constituted no more than 42% of the town's entire population.

In September 1939 the German army overtook the town and destroyed the synagogue and the Jewish cemetery and used the bricks and broken matzevot as construction material. They also demolished Jewish houses on the Town Square and on Partyzancka Street, as well as the Jewish hotel owned by the family of Perec Gdala, located on the corner of Lubelska and Poprzeczna streets (currently Jana Pawła II Street).

At the beginning of October 1939, the Nazi regime initiated roundups on the streets of Lubartów. Religious Jews were humiliated by the act of cutting off their payot and beards. One of the examples of German cruelty was the brutal battery of Mosze Lazer, a well-respected local butcher.

On 12 October 1939, Germans plundered Jewish-owned households and shops. Later on, on 20 October 1939, 850 Jews living in Lubartów were sent off to Ostrów Lubelski and another 634 – to Parczew. Smaller groups of people were sent to Kamionka and Firlej. The 818 Jews that remained in the town were forced to work. Nonetheless, many of the Jews deported to Ostrów and Parczew gradually started to return to Lubartów.

Jews from Lublin and Ciechanów, as well as about 2,000 people from Slovakia were transported to Lubartów in November of 1939. In total, ca. 3,500 people arrived to the town. In May of 1942, another transport reached Lubartów and brought 2421 Slovakian Jews. Jewish people of Slovakian descent were held by the Germans in the building of Sąd Grodzki (Magistrate Court) on Lubelska Street no. 78.

Among the Jews transported to Lubartów from Slovakia there were two exquisite doctors: dr Rychard Peiser, a pediatrician (who lived on Legionów Street no. 24) and dr Efraim Blumenberg, whose credentials were honoured even by German authorities. Between 1940 and 1941, groups of Jews living in Lubartów were sent to work camps operating in other towns and their households were used to accommodate another 450 Jewish fugitives from Mława and Lublin. In the years 1940-1942, a total of ca. 35,000 Jews arrived to Lubartów.

Germans created a ghetto for the Jewish population, which was located between the streets: Żabia – 11 Listopada – Browarna – Poprzeczna – Lubelska. It was not surrounded by any wall or fence. Throughout the war, the biggest number of people living in the ghetto reached 4,500. On 4 January 1940, the Nazi regime established a Judenrat, which was presided over by Jakub Mordko Lichtenfeld and, later on, by Dawid Perec. The members of the Judenrat were: Jakub Mordko Lichtenfeld, Szloma-Ber Cieśla (Cieśler), Moszek-Joel Feldman, Srul-Icek Rajzylberg, Dawid Perec, Menasze Kosman, Chil Wajnberg, Szloma Rubinstein, Pinkwas Duman, Srul-Moszko Denenmark, Szyja Suchowolski.

The composition of the council changed several times. In April of 1942, the members of the Judenrat were: Mosze Joel Edelman (president), Szlomo Ber Cieśler, Izrael Ratensilber, Menasze Kosman and Jechiel Weinberg. Apart from the Judenrat, the German also created a Jewish Police Service with 11 members. The people appointed to the Service were: Izaak Pud (president), Izocher Kosman, Icek Apfeld, Moszek Gothelf, Icek Nirenberg, Zelik Honiksblum, Lejzor Tunkieltraub, Dawid Cieśla, Moszek Kosman, Moszek Wajcaman, Moszek Duman.

The first deportation of people from the Lubartów Ghetto took place on 9 April 1942. A group of about 800 people was sent to the Nazi extermination camp in Bełżec. In May of 1942, another 2421 Slovakian Jews were transported to Lubartów. Some of those people were later sent to Lublin and forced to worked on the construction site of the Majdanek camp. In June of 1942, there were 3134 people living in the ghetto, including ca. 2,000 fugitives. At the beginning of October another groups of Jews from Kamionka, Ostrów and Czemierniki were brought to the already over-crowded ghetto. Another mass deportation took place on 11 October 1942 – ca. 3,000 Jews were sent to extermination camps in Bełżec and Sobibór and to the Majdanek camp, while about 300 – 500 persons were shot on the Jewish cemetery on Cicha Street.

The Lubartów Ghetto was liquidated on 24 October 1942, when about 300 Jews still living in the town were deported to Piaski Luterskie. On 29 January 1943, all Jews remaining in Lubartów were shot on the local Jewish cemetery and, in February, the German announced that the town was “Jew-free” (Judenfrei).

Only about 40 Jews from Lubartów survived the years of the Nazi occupation. Some of them had been hiding in Polish households, while others – in the woods surrounding the town, where they were helped by Jewish partisan units. Josko Hiniksblum and his wife Bluma were some of the Jewish people who were helped by Poles – during the war they had been hiding in a storage room in the house of the Czekański family, on Lipowa Street no. 3. Widowed Dora Wajnbert, her 1,5-year-old child and her sister Noma found shelter in the apartment of Jan Sienkiewicz, located on Legionów Street no. 55. Among those who had lived around Lubartów before the war and who survived the occupation were: Berek Tunkielszwarc, Doba Apfeld, Szloma and Dawid Cyngiel, Izaak Pud, Josek Wajnberg and his daughter Frajdla, Owadia Tołbiasz, Gerszon Kopfe with his wife Rachela and daughter Sura Kopfe and Chana Goldsztein.

Shortly after the end of the war, some Jews who had lived in Lubartów before 1939 started to return to the town. One of those people was Rochel Goldfinger, who in 1945 mourned the relatives that she lost, as well as the places and the town that ceased to exist:

(…) Through the radio broadcasting from liberated Poland, Radio Lublin, a Jewish speaker calls onto us and reads out the names of those who are alive, who were saved, of those who came back from the dead. (…) And a quiet prayer can be heard: Maybe someone from your home will greet you? And you see your old house, the house to which you are connected with so many invisible strings, the house where you spent your childhood, your youth, where you dreamed your most beautiful and most sublime dreams, the house where your parents lived and thought of their children in exile[1.4].

After the war, most of the Jews from Lubartów who survived the occupation migrated to Palestine, France and the United States. In 1947 in Paris, a group of Jews of Lubartów established Ziomkowstwo Lubartowskie (an association of compatriots from Lubartów). In Tel Aviv, the Jews who had migrated from Lubartów funded a monument commemorating their murdered neighbours. The main element of the monument is an image of the synagogue of Lubartów.

Bibliography

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• R. J. Dumało, Wojna, okupacja, wyzwolenie – Lubartów 1939–1949, Lublin 2001.
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Translated by Natalia Kłopotek, Edited by Ariana Gharib Lee