Neighbors: The Destruction of the Jewish Community in Jedwabne, Poland

Jedwabne exists “at the intersection of two river valleys” (30). Though the Narew and Biebrza Rivers “overflow each spring,” creating “lush vegetation” in their environs, Jedwabne is rather ugly and less green. For centuries the town’s inhabitants have used wood and straw to build. They have suffered countless fires, particularly one in 1916, which consumed nearly 75% of the town.

Jedwabne received its town charter in 1736, though “it had already been settled for at least three hundred years” (30). The town erected a wooden synagogue in 1770. At that time there were 387 Jews living in a town of 450. Just before the outbreak of World War I, “the population of Jedwabne reached its all-time peak, approximating 3,000” (30). The war, as well as the Russian policy of forcing Jews to relocate to new settlements, caused the population to shrink to around 700 in 1916. The Russians suspected Jews of being aligned with the Central Powers.

After World War I most Jews returned to Jedwabne, replenishing the population that had dwindled. By 1931 there were 2,167 people living in Jedwabne and over 60% of them were Jewish. In 1933 there were 144 licensed craftsmen working in the town, “including 36 tailors and 24 shoemakers” (32).