First mentions of Jews settling in Świrz can be found in historical sources dating back to 1563. Jewish people living in the town established an organised community and had a synagogue with impressive, multi–level menorah surrounded by a depiction of the legend of origin.

There were 381 Jews living in the town in 1948 – 19.6% of the total population. After WWI, however, their number sharply decreased – it dropped to 184 in 1921, primarily due to a wave of migration to the United States. The community lived mostly off trade, which intensified during fairs, held once a month in the interwar period. Jews also worked as blacksmiths, tailors, butchers, shoemakers, and keepers of inns selling alcoholic beverages.

Throughout the history of Świrz, the relationship of Christians and Jews remained cordial. Their peaceful coexistence was put to a halt in July 1941, when the German army entered the town. Germans immediately started to persecute Jews and established the Jewish Council (Judenrat). In November 1942 Jews from Świrz were transported to ghettos in Bóbrka and Przemyślany, where they shared the fate of other prisoners and fell victim to the Holocaust.

Bibliography

• "Swirz", [in:] The Encyclopedia of Jewish Life Before and During the Holocaust, vol. 3, eds. S. Spector, G. Wigoder, New York 2001, p. 1272.
• Świrz, [in] Słownik geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i innych krajów słowiańskich, vol. 11, eds. F. Sulimierski, W. Walewski, B. Chlebowski, Warsaw 1890, p. 717.