In 1870, the Jewish community numbered 707 people; it had two synagogues, a cemetery and a school. In 1882, the Weavers' Society was established, on whose initiative a weaving school was soon established. In 1900, there were 1,026 Jews living in Korczyna. There was a Savings and Credit Association, and the commune maintained two religious schools. The local Hasidim were divided between supporters of the tzadik from Bełz and the tzadik from Dzików.

In the interwar period, the 'Jad Charuzim' Association of Jewish Handicraftsmen and the Merchants' Association operated in Korczyna. However, the city was experiencing a significant economic crisis. In 1921, only 796 Jews lived here; some of them probably moved to Krosno in search of better living and working conditions. The last rabbi of Korczyna was Elias Rubin, murdered by the Germans during World War II together with his wife and children.

In 1939, Korczyna was occupied by the Germans. The occupiers resettled Jews in Krosno and Łódź here. At the request of the occupation authorities, the Judenrat was established. In 1941, the Germans established a ghetto. Over time, some of the prisoners were relocated to Krosno.   In 1942, most of the Jews were sent to the Nazi German extermination camp in Bełżec. The Germans shot 294 Jews in the forest in Warzyce, and the old and sick in Wola Jasienicka. Additionally, 123 Jews and 7 Poles died at the cemetery in Korczyna. Only a few Jews from the town survived the war, including Ignacy Bibring, MD.

The Description

The Jewish cemetery in Korczyna was established in the 19th century, approximately 2 km east of the center, at today's Wierzbowa street, on the plot no. 2074. Its area is surrounded by a concrete wall from the 1990s. Approx. 457 tombstones with typical Jewish symbols have been preserved. The oldest known belongs to Chaja, Aleksander's daughter, who died in 1831. There is also a ruined ohel and burials of representatives of rabbinical families, including Asher Rubin, Naftali Herz and Shalom Jehuda Leybush Lesser. There is also a burial ground for 9 Jewish soldiers who died on the frontlines of the World War I. As mentioned, during the occupation the Germans carried out mass executions in the cemetery. The bodies of the victims were buried in a mass grave.

In 2012, the tombstones were inventoried by the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage, and in 2013 by students and lecturers from the Dartmouth College in USA.

Author of the note: Magda Lucima

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