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The Jewish Community of Battonya

Battonya

A town in the Csanad district, south east Hungary.

The Jewish community developed in the second half of the 19th century, although Jews had lived in the town from the end of the 18th century. The majority of the Jews were merchants and industrialists, and their economic situation was quite good.

Because of differences of opinion between haredim and maskilim (moderates) at the Jewish Congress in 1868, the community took a stand on the status quo in refusing to accept either the decisions of Congress or the decisions of the haredim.

A synagogue was built in 1896. There was a hevra kadisha (burial society), a women's society and for a time even a school. In the thirties there was an active hachshara (preparation) movement, preparing for settlement in Eretz Israel, under the Mizrachi movement. During the period of the White Terror, riots against Jews instigated by right-wing military elements (1919-21) after the fall of the communist regime, Jews were beaten on the streets of the town and their shops were looted. The situation worsened in 1938, after the publication of discriminatory laws, with the spread of anti-semitism throughout Hungary. Because of the proximity of the town to the Romanian border, the Jews were suspect.

In 1930, the community numbered 152 people.
 

The Holocaust Period

In 1942 many young Jews were sent to do forced labor, work on fortifications and in services together with other Hungarian citizens whom the authorities did not want to serve in the armed forces, and were employed preparing firing ranges. In the spring of 1944, after the German occupation, the head and several leading members of the community were immediately arrested. On May 13, all the Jewish inhabitants were assembled in an empty produce warehouse in the town. After a fortnight they were sent to a nearby farm where there were other Jews from the neighboring villages. Their money and valuables were taken from them. After three weeks they were transferred to Bekescsaba. The one, in which there were some Jews from Battonya, was sent to Strasshof in Austria, and the second was transported to Auschwitz.

After the war, three survivors returned from Auschwitz, six from forced labor and eighty from Austria. Communal life was renewed, but many left shortly thereafter. Only a few Jews live in the town now.

Bekescsaba

A town in the Bekes district, eastern Hungary.

In Jewish sources called Tatcsaba.

The first Jewish settlers came to Bekescsaba at the end of the 18th century, from what is today Czechoslovakia. At the beginning the majority of Jews were peddlers or petty traders, but in the course of time, they erected large enterprises such as a flour mill, textile factory, cold storage warehouses, printing works, a large department store and a sales room for motor cars and agricultural machinery. In 1869, because of differences of opinion between haredim (orthodox) and maskilim (enlightened) at the Jewish Congress the community affiliated with the status quo group which refused to take a stand in the dispute.

In 1883 the haredim created an independent orthodox community and also built their own synagogue in 1894. An existing synagogue was built in 1850. The synagogue of the status quo group was consecrated in 1896, while the hevra kadisha (burial society) was used by the two communities until 1926. The communities also started separate schools. There were also Jewish printing works which issued the daily newspaper. Several benevolent institutions were active, as well as schools and libraries. Relations with the other inhabitants were generally good. In 1920 there were some anti-semitic incidents. During World War I, 25 of the town's Jews fell in battle. In 1930 the community numbered 2,458.

The Holocaust Period

In 1938, with the publication of discriminatory laws which aimed at limiting Jewish participation in the economic and cultural fields, many Jews lost their means of livelihood. In 1940 many Jews were sent to do forced labor in the framework of labor battalions (work on fortifications and in services together with other Hungarian citizens whom the authorities would not allow to join the armed forces). At the end of March 1944, after the German occupation, 36 Jewish residents were arrested and sent to Austria. Jewish owned businesses and Jewish property were confiscated. On May 11, 1944, all the Jews were assembled in the buildings adjoining the synagogue. Some tens of Jewish males were conscripted in military labor battalions. A Judenrat (Jewish Council) was set up, consisting of five members of both communities. In the middle of June, all the Jews were sent to warehouses in the vicinity of the railway station, where they suffered from hunger, overcrowding and cruel treatment by soldiers of the Hungarian gendarmerie. A small number managed to escape to Romania or Budapest, or found refuge, against high payment, in Christian homes. The Jews of the nearby villages in the area were also brought to Bekescsaba. On June 25 they were expelled to Austria; the majority returned after the end of the war. The Jews of Bekescsaba were transported to Auschwitz which they reached on June 29.

After the war, about 60 survivors from Auschwitz and some 240 from forced labor and from Austria returned. The two communities reorganized anew, separately, but united in 1950. A considerable number of the survivors emigrated to Israel. In 1968 there were still 151 Jews living in the town.

 

Nădlac

In Hungarian: Nagylak; in German: Nadlak

A town in Arad County, Romania. Until 1918 it was part of Austria-Hungary.

Jews from Moravia began settling in Nadlac after mid-18th century. The community was established in 1843 and it immediately opened a synagogue, built a mikve, organized a hevra kadisha (burial society) and acquired land for a Jewish cemetery.

Most Jews made a living as merchants and craftsmen, some of them were very successful businessmen and established a bank and a textile manufacture that employed about 300 workers while a handful were active as lawyers and engineers.

The 1880 census listed 266 Jews in Nadlac. During the first half of the 20th century the Jewish population declined from 254 in 1910 to 158 in 1920. The 1930 census recorded 129 Jewish residents in Nadlac that constituted 1% of all town’s inhabitants. The number of local Jews continued to decrease to 120 in 1936 and 94 in 1941.

The reduction in the size of the Jewish population was triggered by the border changes at the end of WW I, when most of Nadlac was incorporated into Romania and became a border town, while some neighborhoods remained on the Hungarian side of the border, and the economic decline that resulted from the new political reality.   

The rise to power of the Goga-Cuza government in December, 1937, brought about the legislation and application of official anti-Semitic policies in Romania.

In September, 1940, the government of General Ion Antonescu was established. This government included the Iron Guard party, a nationalistic party that advocated for violent anti-Semitism. The government of Ion Antonescu changed the foreign policy of Romania and joined the alliance between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. This government increased the persecution of Jews and the conduct of a campaign of terror against them. 

The synagogue was closed in September 1940. In June 1941, after Romania joined the war against the Soviet Union, except for eight people, all the Jews of Nadlac were expulsed to the neighboring city of Arad.

After WW II, some Jews returned to Nadlac and in 1947 the local Jewish population numbered 80 individuals.

In early 21st century there were no Jewish inhabitants in Nadlac. The Jewish cemetery is located in the western side of the town. The oldest matzevah dates from the 19th century and the last burial took place in 1975.  

 

Pecica

In Hungarian: Pécska; in German: Petschka; in Serbian: Печка/Pečka

A town in the western outskirts of the city of Arad in Arad County in the historical region of Crisana, Romania. Until 1918 it was part of Austria-Hungary. Now it includes the former village of Rovine also known as Pecica Ungurească or Magyarpécska in Hungarian.

Jews settled in what was then the villages of Pecica (also known as Pecica Română) and Rovine in early 19th century. The Jewish community was organized in 1810. The community employed a rabbi and maintained a synagogue and a Jewish cemetery. In early 20th century the community underwent a reorganization. A hevra kadisha and a Jewish elementary school were established at the same time. The synagogue was renovated in 1930.

Most of the Jews were employed at the various industrial plants in the region and a few were physicians, lawyers and clerks.

In 1880 there were 106 Jews living in Pecica. This number increased to 111 in 1910. The 1930 census recorded a total of 211 Jewish inhabitants living in the two villages, of them 93 in Pecica and 118 in Rovine. In early 1941 their number declined to 155 with 57 residing in Pecica and 98 in Rovine.

In September, 1940, the government of General Ion Antonescu was established. This government included the Iron Guard party, a nationalistic party that advocated for violent anti-Semitism. The government of Ion Antonescu changed the foreign policy of Romania and joined the alliance between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. This government increased the persecution of Jews and the conduct of a campaign of terror against them.

In late June 1941, after Romania joined the war against the Soviet Union, all the Jewish residents of Pecica and Rovine were expelled to Arad and their properties confiscated by the Centrul Naţional de Românizare (CNR). A year later the community’s properties were sequestered as well.

Only a few Jews returned to Pecica at the end of WW II.

The Jewish cemetery is located at 1032 Principala Street, Pecica. The last known burial took place in 1960.

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The Jewish Community of Battonya

Battonya

A town in the Csanad district, south east Hungary.

The Jewish community developed in the second half of the 19th century, although Jews had lived in the town from the end of the 18th century. The majority of the Jews were merchants and industrialists, and their economic situation was quite good.

Because of differences of opinion between haredim and maskilim (moderates) at the Jewish Congress in 1868, the community took a stand on the status quo in refusing to accept either the decisions of Congress or the decisions of the haredim.

A synagogue was built in 1896. There was a hevra kadisha (burial society), a women's society and for a time even a school. In the thirties there was an active hachshara (preparation) movement, preparing for settlement in Eretz Israel, under the Mizrachi movement. During the period of the White Terror, riots against Jews instigated by right-wing military elements (1919-21) after the fall of the communist regime, Jews were beaten on the streets of the town and their shops were looted. The situation worsened in 1938, after the publication of discriminatory laws, with the spread of anti-semitism throughout Hungary. Because of the proximity of the town to the Romanian border, the Jews were suspect.

In 1930, the community numbered 152 people.
 

The Holocaust Period

In 1942 many young Jews were sent to do forced labor, work on fortifications and in services together with other Hungarian citizens whom the authorities did not want to serve in the armed forces, and were employed preparing firing ranges. In the spring of 1944, after the German occupation, the head and several leading members of the community were immediately arrested. On May 13, all the Jewish inhabitants were assembled in an empty produce warehouse in the town. After a fortnight they were sent to a nearby farm where there were other Jews from the neighboring villages. Their money and valuables were taken from them. After three weeks they were transferred to Bekescsaba. The one, in which there were some Jews from Battonya, was sent to Strasshof in Austria, and the second was transported to Auschwitz.

After the war, three survivors returned from Auschwitz, six from forced labor and eighty from Austria. Communal life was renewed, but many left shortly thereafter. Only a few Jews live in the town now.

Written by researchers of ANU Museum of the Jewish People

Bekescsaba

Bekescsaba

A town in the Bekes district, eastern Hungary.

In Jewish sources called Tatcsaba.

The first Jewish settlers came to Bekescsaba at the end of the 18th century, from what is today Czechoslovakia. At the beginning the majority of Jews were peddlers or petty traders, but in the course of time, they erected large enterprises such as a flour mill, textile factory, cold storage warehouses, printing works, a large department store and a sales room for motor cars and agricultural machinery. In 1869, because of differences of opinion between haredim (orthodox) and maskilim (enlightened) at the Jewish Congress the community affiliated with the status quo group which refused to take a stand in the dispute.

In 1883 the haredim created an independent orthodox community and also built their own synagogue in 1894. An existing synagogue was built in 1850. The synagogue of the status quo group was consecrated in 1896, while the hevra kadisha (burial society) was used by the two communities until 1926. The communities also started separate schools. There were also Jewish printing works which issued the daily newspaper. Several benevolent institutions were active, as well as schools and libraries. Relations with the other inhabitants were generally good. In 1920 there were some anti-semitic incidents. During World War I, 25 of the town's Jews fell in battle. In 1930 the community numbered 2,458.

The Holocaust Period

In 1938, with the publication of discriminatory laws which aimed at limiting Jewish participation in the economic and cultural fields, many Jews lost their means of livelihood. In 1940 many Jews were sent to do forced labor in the framework of labor battalions (work on fortifications and in services together with other Hungarian citizens whom the authorities would not allow to join the armed forces). At the end of March 1944, after the German occupation, 36 Jewish residents were arrested and sent to Austria. Jewish owned businesses and Jewish property were confiscated. On May 11, 1944, all the Jews were assembled in the buildings adjoining the synagogue. Some tens of Jewish males were conscripted in military labor battalions. A Judenrat (Jewish Council) was set up, consisting of five members of both communities. In the middle of June, all the Jews were sent to warehouses in the vicinity of the railway station, where they suffered from hunger, overcrowding and cruel treatment by soldiers of the Hungarian gendarmerie. A small number managed to escape to Romania or Budapest, or found refuge, against high payment, in Christian homes. The Jews of the nearby villages in the area were also brought to Bekescsaba. On June 25 they were expelled to Austria; the majority returned after the end of the war. The Jews of Bekescsaba were transported to Auschwitz which they reached on June 29.

After the war, about 60 survivors from Auschwitz and some 240 from forced labor and from Austria returned. The two communities reorganized anew, separately, but united in 1950. A considerable number of the survivors emigrated to Israel. In 1968 there were still 151 Jews living in the town.

 

Nadlac

Nădlac

In Hungarian: Nagylak; in German: Nadlak

A town in Arad County, Romania. Until 1918 it was part of Austria-Hungary.

Jews from Moravia began settling in Nadlac after mid-18th century. The community was established in 1843 and it immediately opened a synagogue, built a mikve, organized a hevra kadisha (burial society) and acquired land for a Jewish cemetery.

Most Jews made a living as merchants and craftsmen, some of them were very successful businessmen and established a bank and a textile manufacture that employed about 300 workers while a handful were active as lawyers and engineers.

The 1880 census listed 266 Jews in Nadlac. During the first half of the 20th century the Jewish population declined from 254 in 1910 to 158 in 1920. The 1930 census recorded 129 Jewish residents in Nadlac that constituted 1% of all town’s inhabitants. The number of local Jews continued to decrease to 120 in 1936 and 94 in 1941.

The reduction in the size of the Jewish population was triggered by the border changes at the end of WW I, when most of Nadlac was incorporated into Romania and became a border town, while some neighborhoods remained on the Hungarian side of the border, and the economic decline that resulted from the new political reality.   

The rise to power of the Goga-Cuza government in December, 1937, brought about the legislation and application of official anti-Semitic policies in Romania.

In September, 1940, the government of General Ion Antonescu was established. This government included the Iron Guard party, a nationalistic party that advocated for violent anti-Semitism. The government of Ion Antonescu changed the foreign policy of Romania and joined the alliance between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. This government increased the persecution of Jews and the conduct of a campaign of terror against them. 

The synagogue was closed in September 1940. In June 1941, after Romania joined the war against the Soviet Union, except for eight people, all the Jews of Nadlac were expulsed to the neighboring city of Arad.

After WW II, some Jews returned to Nadlac and in 1947 the local Jewish population numbered 80 individuals.

In early 21st century there were no Jewish inhabitants in Nadlac. The Jewish cemetery is located in the western side of the town. The oldest matzevah dates from the 19th century and the last burial took place in 1975.  

 

Pecica

Pecica

In Hungarian: Pécska; in German: Petschka; in Serbian: Печка/Pečka

A town in the western outskirts of the city of Arad in Arad County in the historical region of Crisana, Romania. Until 1918 it was part of Austria-Hungary. Now it includes the former village of Rovine also known as Pecica Ungurească or Magyarpécska in Hungarian.

Jews settled in what was then the villages of Pecica (also known as Pecica Română) and Rovine in early 19th century. The Jewish community was organized in 1810. The community employed a rabbi and maintained a synagogue and a Jewish cemetery. In early 20th century the community underwent a reorganization. A hevra kadisha and a Jewish elementary school were established at the same time. The synagogue was renovated in 1930.

Most of the Jews were employed at the various industrial plants in the region and a few were physicians, lawyers and clerks.

In 1880 there were 106 Jews living in Pecica. This number increased to 111 in 1910. The 1930 census recorded a total of 211 Jewish inhabitants living in the two villages, of them 93 in Pecica and 118 in Rovine. In early 1941 their number declined to 155 with 57 residing in Pecica and 98 in Rovine.

In September, 1940, the government of General Ion Antonescu was established. This government included the Iron Guard party, a nationalistic party that advocated for violent anti-Semitism. The government of Ion Antonescu changed the foreign policy of Romania and joined the alliance between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. This government increased the persecution of Jews and the conduct of a campaign of terror against them.

In late June 1941, after Romania joined the war against the Soviet Union, all the Jewish residents of Pecica and Rovine were expelled to Arad and their properties confiscated by the Centrul Naţional de Românizare (CNR). A year later the community’s properties were sequestered as well.

Only a few Jews returned to Pecica at the end of WW II.

The Jewish cemetery is located at 1032 Principala Street, Pecica. The last known burial took place in 1960.