Social & Political Organizations

A large body of literature has examined the political, cultural, and social uniqueness of the shtetl in Poland. Each shtetl experienced it’s own unique combination of self government and political awareness during the 1800’s under the leadership of strong personalities and particularly under the guidance of Rabbinical leadership during the establishment of the Pale of Settlement edicts. One noted publication title reflects this attitude and awareness with the title “Miasto Ben Rabina Nie Moze Istniec (A City Without a Rabbi Cannot Exist)”* It details 56 Rabbis of Poland with a brief bio and location descriptions. (No rabbis were listed for Izbica Kujawska) For more information, see “Rabbinate”  

After the establishment of the Republic of Poland in 1918 and up to the mid 1930’s each shtetl and the larger Jewish urban communities experienced a phenomenal rise in political awareness.  Simultaneously, an awareness of the possibility of a homeland in Israel began to take hold with the writings and leadership of Theodore Herzl, emigration to agricultural colonies in other parts of the world (Baron von Hirsh), and continuously increasing anti-semitic oppression which culminated in the Nazi led slaughter of almost the entire Jewish population of Jewish Central Poland.

The Jewish community of Izbica Kujawska experienced the following political groups and associations (Source: www.sztetl.org.pl).