We may learn about Jewish education in Tarnobrzeg through the eyes of a Pole named Jan Słomka, who wrote in his memoirs: “Initiallz, Jewish education was very poor, they were generally less educated than Catholics. There were many Jews in the town who did not know Polish and it was impossible to communicate with them, or there were others who spoke Polish badly, worse than now, and they were ridiculed and mocked at because of that. Jewish children only studied the Talmud at home, in groups, and they were taught by the Jews who had learned something themselves. They ensured that every child knew the commandments of Moses” (…). Jewish children also attended town schools, but it did not happen very often. Most Jewish parents provided their children with traditional education at Jewish schools[1.1]]. Those who wanted their children to acquire higher education sent them to a gymnasium in Krakow[1.2]. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were several Jewish teachers at the Gymnasium named after Tarnowski: Professors Mojżesz Laufer and Mojżesz Altenbaum taught German, whilst Josef Nussbaum and Samule Zamojre taught mathematics. At the turn of the centuries, in the years 1899-10, the supplementary Industrial School in Tarnobrzeg was also attended by Jewish students. They constituted about 1/4 of the total number of students. In the school year 1900/01, there were 29 Polish and 3 Jewish children, whilst in 1908/09 - 41 pupils, including 10 Jews[1.3]. The three professions most popular among Jewish students were: merchant, seller and tailor.

Translated by LIDEX