HOLOCAUST TESTIMONIES


Name of deponent: Israel Marymont
Birth date: 1909
Birth place: Checiny
Parents: Abraham and Chaja (born Glass)
Present residence: Katowice
Occupation: Censor in Woj. B.K.P.


When the Germans occupied Sosnowiec, I lived on Dekerta street #14. I left the town on 28 October 1939 and went to the USRR.

In the middle of September 1939, on the initiative of a group of Communists, a conference of representatives of workers from all Jewish parties was called. In addition to the initiators, there were present representatives of the "Bund", the "Poale-Syon" (left and right) and activists of labor unions and craft unions. The assembled group discussed the most important matter of financial help for the many people from among the poor Jewish people, especially for families of those taken into the Polish Army. The assembly decided to make a collection of food, clothes and money to help those most in need.

A committee was created whose members were: from the Communists: Mojzesz Wygnanski, Abram Sztark, A. B. Rosenkranc and myself; from the "Bund": Mojzesz Brodkiewicz and Rajzla Kwalwasser; from "Poale-Syon" (left): Jumek Buchner and Jojne Szpigiel. I don't remember the names of representatives from "Poale-Syon" (right). From the labor unions were: Natal Mustafa, Bela Szenicka and Natan Pariser. Beside those mentioned, there also took part other active comrades from all groups.

We were able to collect a large amount of money, many clothes and a little food. From free charities of Jewish population from Sosnowiec, collected funds went to persons being most in need as determined by the Committee members. Difficulties with a food supply related to war conditions and requisition of supply made especially difficult for the Jewish population, particularly, the poor people. There were in the first days long lines at bakeries and shops which had food.
The Germans sought out Jews in the lines and, screaming "Juden heraus", they threw them from the queue and didn't allow them the possibility of buying necessities. I was myself eyewitness of such events. A friend of mine was shot by German as she stood in line for bread in front of a shop.

In the first meeting there were also discussions about the situation after the formation of the Judenrat. The assembled people took a negative position toward the newly-formed Judenrat with Merin as a head. They asserted that the Judenrat passed on to the poor people the main burden. Small shop owners in most instances didn't get permission to re-open their shops while rich merchants, after paying a bribe, received permission. In such matters, the Judenrat had a decisive influence.

Moreover, it was mostly the poor people who were taken to various forced labor sites.