No records have been preserved to help establish the number of Jews living in Krzeszyce, nor is it known whether there was a synagogue or a prayer room in the town. According to the recollections of Doctor Willi Schlaak published in Oststernberger Heimatbrief (no. 1/2014, p. 11), the Jewish community at the turn of the 20th century dealt exclusively with trade, especially in textiles. Until the early 20th century, Jewish market stalls were a permanent feature of the local landscape. However, the last Jewish resident presumably left Krzeszyce in the early 1920s. His name was Jakob or Jakobsohn, he lived at Sonnenburger Straβe and traded in leather. According to Willy Schlaak's recollections, the Jewish community was not integrated with the town’s Christian residents, who distanced themselves from the Jews or even openly expressed disdain towards them.

The Description

The Jewish cemetery is located east of Krzeszyce, in a forest, formally forming part of the village of Świętojańsko. Its location is indicated by a preserved pillar once forming part of the now defunct entrance gate. According to Schlaak, a metal gate closed with a padlock and a wall around the cemetery still existed at the end of the 1930s, though they were already overgrown with acacia bushes. The cemetery terrain is slightly raised, some 1.5 m higher as compared to its surroundings. Traces of dug up graves are visible. Nine undamaged tombstones have been preserved, two of which are still standing. There are also 17 damaged tombstones which have tumbled over and 23 plinths and tomb framings. Five of the nine extant matzevot bear inscriptions on both sides, one in German and one in Hebrew. The oldest monument dates back to 1862 and stands on the grave of Hilel Schwartz; the second oldest, from 1868, marks the burial place of his wife Chana. In 1996, inventory was taken of the cemetery and the inscriptions on the tombstones were translated at the request of the conservator of monuments from Gorzów.

Właściciel praw autorskich do opisu: Muzeum Historii Żydów Polskich POLIN.