Behind the Joselewicz School teachers' educational achievements, stood the parents' committee. The committee participated in their work with much love and devotion, always ready to help and solve problems- and put into special highlight the care for children from poor families.

From different news clips that were published in the “Official Bulletin” we learn that, while in search for sources of finance, the committee would occasionally organize charity show-nights or parties, in order to raise money for hot meal projects, books and day camps for those children.

A notice from 1935, for instance, announces that the parents' committee has managed to have equipped all the needy children in school with school-books and learning-aids, in addition to hot meals for 200 of them, and 100 pairs of new boots for the winter. Occasional notices of gratefulness for different stores and factories in Katowice can also be found in the bulletin, thanking them for generous donations of shoes or clothing.

A financial report from November 1935 shows a total annual budget of 5,039 Zloty, including: 804 Zloty spent on clothing, 1,012 for learning-aids, summer camps and trips- 1,00 Zloty, and 45 spent on medical expenses.

In January 1936 a report of the giveaway is published, and it consists of 87 pairs of shoes, 108 pairs of long woolen socks, 84 pairs of pop socks, 48 pairs of gloves and 48 sweaters. The next report of December 136 includes 140 pairs of shoes, 150 sweaters, 40 pairs of ice skates and more.

Another interesting item from the #111 issue of “the bulletin” (September 1936) is as follows: “…in the beginning of the new school year, the school's Christian principal quit, and his position was filled by Professor Bolchower, due to community's involvement. Making use of the official regulations, stating that the principal and teachers in Jewish school ought to be Jewish themselves, the committee demanded to appoint a new, and Jewish, principal.”

Joselewicz School

[Page 105]

Mrs. Chawa Tauba was the principal and only teacher of the Katowice Beith-Yaakov until September 1939.

During the 1930-1931, Chawa Tauba, an intelligent young woman, was asked by the initiators- Rav Kalman Chameides and the Szolowic family- to establish an orthodox school for girls. 8 girls of various ages arrived to the first meeting at Rav Chameides's house on Friday night. The lecture on the weekly portion- Parashat Vayeshev- was given in Yiddish. The day after, all the girls got together in the synagogue's Women's section. In a time of only several months, many girls joined and added up to a number of 250, and to several age groups. Chawa devoted even her Saturdays to spending time in conversation and strolls with the girls.

Most of the students came from non-religious homes, but the lectures, combined with the warm social atmosphere of Beith Yaakov, has both begun to make effect even on the families. Many of them started to keep their kitchens kosher, and to close their businesses on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.

The students learned to read and write in both Hebrew and Yiddish, the graces of food and the prayer orders, bible and Jewish history- and also speech and drama. Chawa Tauba herself wrote, directed and ran all the school's plays with much success and talent. In issue #99 of the “Community Bulletin” (March 1936) appears an ad for a show night for kids, and another special one for the adults- a fact that shows the parents, great interest in the school's activity. Fancier shows, to which tickets were actually sold, were given to raise money for the reconstruction of the school building. She was constantly supported by Rav Chameides and Mr. Abrahamer.

In the year of 1938, the entire school was given a public test. The results made tremendous impression. They reflected the grand efforts and devotion teacher Tauba had put into her work. The students, and their parents, adored her. It encouraged not one of them to later on continue their course of study in the original seminary in Krakow, founded by Mrs. Sara Schenirer. The education they were given was proved to help them keep through the hardest hours, and try with dedication to protect their Jewish identity.

Teacher Chawa Tauba was saved from the Auschwitz death-camp and arrived Israel after the war ended. She was married to Rabbi Grinfeld, and was widowed a number of years ago.

I was granted the merit to meet her again in Jerusalem in 1987, and we keep in touch until today (1993).

[Page 106]

A report published in the “Community Bulletin” of August 1932 (issue #14) consists with details of all the aspects of the school's activity.

According to the report, the community financiered the institution, which was divided into 2 sections, for boys and for girls; and also class for Hebrew studies, for the benefit of both girls and boys.

The Talmud Torah's boys, section was originally planned as a 7-year school, but for the lack of means and location, it turned into a 5-year one. This way, the students finished elementary school when they were only 11 or 12 years old. The curriculum included the following subjects: Reading and Writing, Hebrew Grammar, Prayers and their meaning, Chumash and understanding the Rashi commendatory, Nevi'im, Halacha- Jewish Law and ritual. In addition, a unique class for excellent students was opened upon parents' request. In the younger grades, schooldays was 2-hour long, and 5 hour-long in the older ones. At the time this report was published, a total of 180 students were learning in Talmud Torah.

Taking into account that most of the students were also going to public schools, that is 5-6 more hours of classes daily, and that they were divided there by alternate groups: one week of morning classes, the other of afternoon classes, and that they had homework on top of it all.

Hebrew School. Mixed class Center: the teacher Winer

[Page 107]

It appears that the Talmud-Torah students were under descent pressure. Yet, the educational administration believed that this for the students' benefit, as they will leave the institution with sufficient knowledge to continue their course of study.

The girls' section- “Beith Yaakov”, had 5 classrooms. In the time this report was published, 140 girls were studying there. Classes filled only one daily hour the curriculum included reading and writing, the Jewish prayers, Jewish history and customs.

The annual report from august 1933, published again in the #37 community Bulletin, remarks that the year before, there were 145 students in Talmud Torah. It also details some of the materials learned in each class, I.e.: Bava Metsia in the fourth grade, and a group of 13 boys learning Bava Kama, Pesachim and Shabbat- all Talmudic chapters.

Despite the impressive educational results the school managed to achieve, some parents were unsatisfied. It was claimed that not enough hours are being dedicated for learning Hebrew as a language. Others claimed the opposite- that more time should be spent teaching Talmud. Due to these disagreements, the administration staff decided to change the system: Talmud Torah will continue regularly as a school focusing in the teaching of Bible, Mishnah and Gemara- all taught in Yiddish. A separate institution will be opened simultaneously and it will focus more in Hebrew and its related subjects: History and Hebrew literature, the Hebrew prayers, and partially Mishnah and Talmuddic texts again- all taught in the Hebrew language.

Two items published in the bulletin reflect the parents, and in fact the general public's, interest in the institution and its activity. In May 1932 the bulletin announced on a meeting led by the two establishers- Rabbi Chameides and Rabbi Fogelman, where the 7-member parents' committee was to be picked. In December 1935 it posted a notice about a public test to the Talmud-Torah students, which will be given as a part of the Hanukkah Party.

Talmud-Torah On left: Zajdman. On the right: the teacher Winer

[Page 108]

I am originally from Krakow, and this is where my father's family has been rooted for generations. I was not pleased with my father's decision, to move the Katowice, where he and his brother Isaac ran then for several years the local agency of a textile factory from Lodz. We, the kids, weren't asked for our opinion, and so, we were thrown into a new and different world.

Krakow had an elementary school and a Hebrew high school, the “Akiva” and “Sharon” youth groups which- led by our mentor Szymek Dringer were later on founders of a Jewish underground group that fought the Nazis. They were among the first resisters who made use of power and arms. I had a diverse family from both my father's and my mother's sided, and in my close environment lived mostly Jews. On our way to school, we would occasionally meet Christian boys, and if it came to any incident- we always won, through clever tricks, organization and inner-discipline. It's possible that back then, Shimmek Deranger and his group developed their fighting method, which was a basic character to their later resistance against the Nazis- in Krakow, and then other Polish districts.

My first day in the Katowice high school

We were 4 Jewish boys in my class: Isaac (Isio) Floksman- a fencing champion, and member of the Silesian high schools first fencing team, Levine- an amateur boxer from “Maccabbi”, Lajzerowicz from Sosnowiec, and me. For some reason all four of us were seated in the two front rows of desks; seemingly, a sort of a expulsion, but I personally enjoyed being among Jews as I was used to. The student started to pass around a scrap of paper, until it landed on our desk. Drawn on it was an eagle and Magen David, a sickle and a hammer- and the writing “A Jewish communist messenger is out to the world ”.

I asked Levine whether he can recognize the talented sketcher, and he replied- “Yes, it's doubtlessly Shladzic”. I told Levine I thought we needed to hit the guy. I must remark that I am not a violent person, not even slightly, but I was raised to react this way, directly and with no hesitations.

Levine passed a note to Floksman, reading:” the new guy is suggesting we hit Shladzic. What do you say?” Floksman agreed. During the break, we sent Lajzerowicz to guard the door, so that no one could go in or out. Levine showed the drawing to shladzic and asked him whether he's the one who made it. The answer was “Yes, is there a problem?”, then came a flat hit to his nose, some blood erupted, and the class room went very silent. We were waiting, very tense, as Eli Kubiszik- who was the oldest of us all- came up to me, patted my shoulder and said: “New guy, we are going to be friends. Come shake my hand.” Indeed, we became good friends since, and we kept writing letters to each other even after I came to Israel, until the war broke.

The Szymek Dering method proved efficient again. A good example that reflects how the atmosphere in class became calmer for a long while after is the story with Warecki. Warecki was a student who converted to Christianity with his entire family when he was a little boy. He was a pleasant, keeping for himself kind of a boy. One day, we were playing volleyball, and as it so happens four of six players in one of the groups were us the Jews. Warecki noticed it and called- “Hey, the Maccabbi group is playing!” . our entire class choired back at him:” If it's Maccabbi, then come on too Warecki, join them!”. Warecki, actually in good spirits, joined us and we were all, including him, laughing…

But it was not always like that. For instance, in a younger class studied a boy who converted with his family right after his Bar-Mitzvah. Ever since, he was the editor of the Catholic boy-scouts bulletin, involved in each and every activity… and also a loud anti-Semitic. One winter day, during break time, we saw this “new Christian” throwing a snowball at the Rabbi Dr. Fogelman, who came along to give us a religion lecture. Levine and I were in rage, and we came up to him and started pushing him around, back and forth between us. The insult to an honored Rabbi, especially when coming from a convert, made us push even harder. All around, Polish boys circled us, definitely enjoying to watch 2 Jews humiliate a third one (for them and for us as well, he remained a Jew

[Page 109]

None of his “friends” helped him and his anti-Semitism was very much restrained. Another memorable incident occurred during our “Military Training”. On one hand, was the officer responsible for us- a first lieutenant who was also a Polish aristocrat. He hated the simple people, including of course us the Jews. On the other hand, was the Polish sergeant- who deeply admired us for our serious attitude toward the course, and was also repulsed by the lieutenant's approach.

We were given old weapons from World War I, but 4 of them were constantly missing, and therefore four of us weren't carrying the guns- always two of them Jewish and two Christian boys carried a lighter weight. The officer, who was riding his bike next to us as we marched noticed it and yelled: “Can't you see how the Jews trick you?!” and ordered to give the two Jewish boys guns immediately. While he was at it, someone called to him from behind, “Hey, bum, you should walk by foot like us! Off your bike!” And the proud officer did.

Nonetheless, the Polish sergeant proved to us there was an alternative. When one of the students, encouraged by the sergeant's presence, made an anti-Semitic remark toward us, the sergeant ordered him to take 20 pushups right o the spot. or as he phrased it: “Kiss mother earth 20 times right this second!”…

My High school Teachers

The teachers formed a non-homogenous group. One teacher who liked me a lot, told me once: “we need 100,000 Jews like you to stay in Poland, and let the rest go to Palestine.” I replied that although I thanked him, I was already in terms of acquiring myself a student's “Certificate” pass to that very Palestine. He shook my hand warmly, and said that I will “be a good and descent citizen anywhere”, and wished me luck.

Another teacher was Mr. Jakubowski, the Latin teacher. From his appearance, and the trip to Palestine he claimed to have made, it was impossible to figure whether he was a converted Jew or a Christian. His hostile approach toward the Jewish students could have equally derived from inherent anti Semitism, or from a will to cover for his Jewish origin. As an average Latin student, I made great efforts to improve- including taking private lessons with a tutor from a higher grade. But even after I felt more confident with the material, and started to raise my hand in classes, Jakubowski would never let me answer: even when I was the only one who knew the correct answer, he would simply say “I see you don't know it”, and go on with the lecture. When I told him the story and my guess of this ignoring as a symptom of anti-Semitism, our high school principal Mr. Sztojer arranged for me to take an external exam in Latin. Although Jakubowski tried to convince me to back off, I did take the test and ended up outstandingly successful. I thanked Dr. Sztojer for his consideration, and celebrated my sweet victory. Years later, when I arrived to Italy, I was among the first soldiers in the Jewish Brigade to conceive the Italian language- and that's mostly thanks to that Mr. Jakubowski.

Our Chemistry teacher, Mr. Mor, was a converted yet descent person, who treated us fairly. I had a closer relationship with Mr. B. - a history teacher, and member of the Polish academy who was intelligent and open-minded. History was my favorite subject, and as I read a lot and acquired general knowledge, a special contact started to form between us.

[Page 110]

Due to one daring and criticizing comment I made once during class (concerning one of Poland's national heroes, Kosciuszko) he later told me in a private conversation:”… I had many Jewish friends, during my academic life and later on. You all seem to suffer from a similar quality, which I consider negative and destructive. For the one, definite and ultimate truth you are ready to destroy everything else- the people's faith or their hope, the will to find empathy… as I like you very much, I beg you to try removing this Jewish flaw from your character, and to try and act so that others who are as smart as you are, will try to overcome it as well.”

These days, whenever I hear people complain about twisted history, how Bar-Kochva was a disaster to the Jewish people at his time, or how Trumpeldor actually cursed on his deathbed- it sadly makes me remember the words of wise, well-wishing Prof. B.

The Bnei-Akiva Youth group

I had several Polish friends in my class (Piontek, Kubiszik, Muczygemba, and a few more), but the social life was focused in the youth groups' gatherings. I was in a group with kids of my age (of which Irena Bajtner-Wygodzki, Mina Szif and Hela Has now reside in Israel), and younger children I was guiding. We spent our summers in a summer-camp, filled with non-stopping Zionist Scout activity. Despite that fact, moving from Krakow to Katowice, made it much easier for me to leave and move again to Israel on my very own- Katowice, was a stage in my severing.

On my visit to Poland in 1945, an attempt to find any survivors from my family, I felt a complete stranger everywhere. This was a different Poland, out of Jews.

The Polish church

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