The World That Was
Zionism and Politics
Zionism - “New Winds”
Hershel Zvi Bidlowsky, a member of the city council and a Zionist activist
The two Jewish council members, Hershel Zvi Bidlowsky and Heinrich Rosenbaum (front row at the center) at a procession in the Wolbrom market square
Members of the Wolbrom Left-wing Poale Zion group march in Warsaw
“Zukunft” group - the youth arm of the “Bund” – a Jewish Socialist party which had broad support in Poland
The elections to the City Council of 20 June 1932
“…The Jewish community became very ambitious and a miracle happened. The Aguda (Orthodox), the Zionists and the Artisans reached an agreement and presented a united list. But the Pinshtow Hasidim as well as the Alexander Hasidim, headed by Rabbi Tarla, were dissatisfied. Because of the division into three parties, the Jewish voters lost one seat in the council.
Now what about the Jewish workers of Wolbrom? No peace was to be found there either, and nothing could bring the hearts closer in the spirit of the slogan calling on the workers of the world to unite. Due to the division, no united front was created and the workers lost two seats.
The second city council therefore had a Polish majority of 14 against 10 Jewish seats, bearing no proportion to the population. The election results were: The Bund received 139 votes and no seat, the Poalei Zion Left – 197 votes and one seat, Poale Zion Right – 103 votes and no seat, the Alexander Hasidim – 476 votes and three seats, the Pintchew Hasidim – 92 votes and no seat, and the United Block – 893 votes and six seats. It is important to mention that the turnout was 96% of the Jewish voters.”
Sh. Barkai in Wolbrom Irenu
The Community Council
Between the two world wars, i.e. in the independent Polish state, the community council in Wolbrom was elected in democratic elections. The elections were general (making no distinction between those who paid taxes and those who were exempted), and with secret ballots. Only women had no voting right, because the community was defined as a religious entity. The elections took place once every four years. In addition to the elected representatives, the rabbi was automatically a member of the council. The Aguda usually won a large majority because the voters considered the council to be a religious, and therefore they wanted religious people to lead it. Therefore the chairman or his deputy were almost always of the Aguda list.
The council had autonomy to deal with religious Jewish affairs, and would represent the Jews in dealing with the local authorities. The council would nominate rabbis, cantors, run the cemetery and other religious institutions, such as the synagogue, the religious schools. It would also levy taxes in order to maintain the Jewish organizations.
Sh. Barkai in Wolbrom Irenu
