What life was like...
Speaking with my Great Grandmother Roz I discovered that her uncle (her father's baby brother) most likely died before he had a chance to have a Bar Mitzvah. Here's his story.
My chosen twin is Elyah Kalmanowicz. His parent's names were Moshe and Sarah Kalmanowicz and they were from a small town in North Eastern Poland which is today called Dabrowa Bialostocka. Moshe was one of six windmill owners and was part of a Market place that was in the main part of the town. He sold flour and produce from his farm to Jews and non Jews, and they made a good living. Sarah was a very strong woman and most likely helped Moshe on the farm, and they had a very good life. Together they had six children:
- Rynah
- Ciwa/Tsivia (Sylvia)
- Jenta (Jennie)
- Zalman Monish (Sam) (My great great grandfather)
- Chaika/Chaja (Ida)
- Elyah
The Map
The map is of the town and the circles indicate where Moshe's windmill might've been.
Inside the Synagogue of Dabrowa
Daily life in Dabrowa in the 1920's centered around the home, synagogue and the Market Place. There were two schools- one Jewish School and one Public School. The synagogue in Dabrowa was built in 1874 thanks to the congregation's Rabbi at the time Rabbi Menachem Mendel. It was a large brick building which was only used on Shabbat and the high holidays. There was also a Beit Hamidrash and a Mikvah. The Mikvah survived the War but sadly is no longer standing today and neither is the Shul.
The houses were mainly made of wood and consisted of two rooms. In larger homes there may also be a shop. The two rooms were the dining room which became a bedroom at night, and a kitchen which also was used as a bedroom. Most families also had a cow shed, a hen house and a stable. Elyah's family owned a windmill and a large farm and were considered "well to do!"
In 1921 there were 566 houses and 1218 Jews, about half of the towns population. The market included: a photography studio, two engine mills, six windmills, a place where wool was processed, a tile factory, a dye shop, an oil factory, a dairy cooperative and the People's Jewish Bank. There was also a post office, police station, pharmacy and two doctors. The town was quickly developing and many to this day credit the Jews for it's strong start.
As mentioned earlier, Elyah was the youngest of six children. By 1927, Rynah (the eldest) was married with children of her own, who we think (but don't know for sure) may have been a bit older than Elyah but possibly close in age and maybe they played together. She decided to stay in Poland with her family. Sarah often sent letters and photos to Montreal to her children describing a very good life. My Great Grandmother Bubbie Roz (Sam's eldest daughter) tearfully retold a story of how one day for her birthday she received a package in the mail from her Grandmother Sarah in Poland. Inside the brown wrapping paper she found beautiful material. Her Auntie Bella (Bubbie Roz's Mother's sister) made her a beautiful dress that she wore proudly.
We were often told that Moshe was a kind gentle man who was very well liked and respected by everyone in the town. Sarah was a very strong and strict mother who loved her children very much.
The Market Place of Dabrowa
The Town Mikvah
Town of Dabrowa and two windmills
Sadly, this is the last correspondence we received from Poland. It came to Jennie. It is a portrait of Sarah, Elyah and Moshe.