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Zakopane
Jewish community appeared in at the beginning of the 19 th
century. In 1848 2431 Catholics, 4 Lutherans and 15 Jews
lived here. Development of the town resulted also in
increase of number of Jewish inhabitants. In 1880 there were
84 Jews in the town, in 1900 - 198, in 1910 - 361, in 1921 -
533 and in 1931 - 2900. In 1939 there were approximately
3000 Jews in Zakopane that constituted about 15,5 % of all
inhabitants.
Jews occupied mainly with trade, craft, services and tourism
accommodation. They were very important town developing
factor. They had their own religious and professional
organizations as well as sport clubs (like "Makkabi" and
"Hagibor"). A great event and holiday for the whole Jewish
community was organization of the First Winter World Games
"Makkabiada" that took place from the 2 nd till 5 th of
February 1933. Few hundreds Jewish sportsmen from all over
the world and few thousands visitors participated in it.
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Jews were involved also in patriotic celebrations
organized in . For example in 1894 on the 100 th anniversary
of the Kosciuszko Uprising the whole Jewish community took
part with their own standard. In the period between two
World Wars every year prayers and services on the names day
of Józef Piłsudski and on the Independence Day took place.
The twenties of the 20 th century were the period of dynamic
growth of inhabitants of Moses confession in Zakopane. That
was the reason for establishing a cemetery. Before this the
deceased were buried at the Jewish cemetery in Nowy Targ.
That was quite troublesome for local community. Special
Committee for Building Cemetery was brought into existence
with leadership of doctor Adolf Statter, an owner of
ironmongery shop, and doctor Bertold Fass, a lawyer. In 1926
after many troubles an area on Bachledzki Wierch in the east
part of Zakopane (situated quite far from the town center)
was bought from Franciszek Bachleda Żarski and Anna Bachleda
Baca. Unfortunately there were further disturbances in
building due to protest of inhabitants of the Bachledy
neighborhood and objection of the town authorities. Finally
five years later all permissions were gathered and
construction was completed.
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Ceremonial consecration of the new cemetery took place on
Sunday, on the 27 th of December 1931. According to "Nowy
Dziennik" (a newspaper published in Krakow ) in the
synagogue almost all Jews from Zakopane gathered as well as
many of temporary visitors including rabbi of Katowice
doctor Chamajdes. There were also present representatives of
Zakopane authorities: mayor Leopold Winnicki, vice-mayor Jan
Jacina, prefect Skalecki, director of Podhalański Bank and
chairman of Highlander Sociaty Wojciech Krzeptowski,
chairman of Merchant's Congregation Antoni Krzyżak, town
architect engineer Adam Hełm-Pirgo, superintendent Gawlik,
alderman Stanisław Niemczyk.
Foreword was spoken by doctor Adolf Statter who thanked
authorities for their favorable attitude and permission for
building of cemetery. Prayers were said by hazzan of
Zakopane mister Muller. After that rabbi Eliasz Eichenstein
defined ritual meaning of cemetery and asked for support for
Committee for Building Synagogue. In conclusion hazzan Leser
from Nowy Targ said service in memory of the president of
Republic of Poland and marshal Józef Piłsudski. After
service all guests went by sledge to the new cemetery. There
prayers took place after which the whole area was walked
round seven times according to the tradition. Doctor Bertold
Fass thanked again town authorities for their support. Then
director Wojciech Krzeptowski and superintendent Gawlik
expressed their satisfaction about opening cemetery and
emphasized that in the face of death all people are equal.
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