'Shana Tova Kertuz Barza' - Historical 'Shana Tova' - Laying the cornerstone of the Kertuz Bertza Yavne -Hebrew ...

'Shana Tova Kertuz Barza' - Historical 'Shana Tova' - Laying the cornerstone of the Kertuz Bertza Yavne -Hebrew School. 1931

A historical photograph of the cornerstone laying of the Yavneh Hebrew School in Brzeza Kartuska [Kertuz Brzeza]. The photographers are standing next to a sign with the title 'Shana Tova Kertuz Barza 1931' and 'The Building Committee', another sign reads: 'Do you fulfill your duty for the school building?' On the back of the photo that distributed behind for use as a postcard, Official stamp of the Jewish School Building Committee in Kertuz-Barza - Yavneh'. A rare historical discovery from the city that has been completely emptied of its Jewish inhabitants. 

Bereza Kartuska was a town in Brisk, Belarus. By the end of the 19th century, there were six synagogues in the town, and Slonim Hasidim sat in the city. Between the two world wars belonged to the province of Polesia, Poland. In 1921, the Jewish population numbered about 2000 (61.3% of the total population). The first World Zionist Congress was attended by a representative from the town, and by the end of the 19th century it was a Zionist Board headed by Rabbi Shlomo Gershoorn. During the First World War, the Yasolda River, out of the town, became the front line, with the result that some of the town's houses caught fire, and it was looted. After the reconstruction of the town, Zionist activity was resumed, with the Beitar and HaShomer Hatzair youth movements, as well as the Bund's activities. In addition, schools from the Yavneh and Tish'o networks were opened in the town, as well as Jewish cultural institutions. In front of us is a historical photograph from the cornerstone event of the Yavne School in the city in 1931, an event that took place at the beginning of the new year.

During World War II in June 1941, the day after their attack on the Soviet Union, the Germans conquered the area and entered Kertuz Barza. Jews were attacked on the city streets and their property stolen. Three days later, the synagogue and several Jewish houses around it were set on fire. In the winter of 1941-1942, the Jews were subject to abductions for forced labor for hunger and disease. In July 1942, two ghettos were set up in the city, one for "manufacturers", working for the German service and the other for "non-manufacturers". On July 15, the Jews of the second ghetto were taken to BRONA GURA and murdered there. After the war, Jews did not return to the city.

9x14 cm. Very good condition.