Over centuries the children's education was

traditionally religious.

       At the age of three they were brought to the Melamed (Tutor) in the Heder, to learn the Hebrew alphabeth and daily prayers. Then they proceeded to learn Humasch (Pentateuch) with Rashi commentaries. The gifted ones 

moved on to study Gemara and other religious books. Parents, who wished to broaden their children's education, sent them to a teacher to learn Polish and 

arithmetic, to improve their chances of finding work and make a living. 

Abraham WeinerShalom Weiner

The urge to learn Hebrew increased and in 1906 brothers Shalom and Abraham Behr Weiner founded the "Modified Heder" where they taught Bible stories in modern style,

Hebrew and Jewish history. Indeed it was the first modern Hebrew school in town .

Beginning of Hebrew learningBeginning of Hebrew learning

      When the free state of Poland was established, Jewish children came under the rule of compulsory education. State schools were opened, and Jewish and Polish pupils 

studied together. Studies were free, but Shabbath was a learning day. Wealthy parents preferred the Polish State School, considering this education as a better preparation for 

the future. The poorer children went to these schools having no other alternative.

Pupils at the Polish State School, Hrubieszow, 1921 (at the center the teacher who was a priest)

    It was the first Hebrew school in Hrubieszow. It was founded in 1913, initiated by Mr. Tenenbaum, and had a Zionist orientation. It was a modern school and all 

subjects were taught in Hebrew, which was the school’s official language. Blue and white were the dominant colors. 

““HatiqvaHatiqva"" School School

Teachers and pupils of "Hatiqva" elementary school on its 2nd anniversary, Hrubieszow 1920

The Tel Chay school was founded in 1927, originally as a "Tarbut" school. It was later taken over  by ZS (Zionist Socialists). It was a seven years' elementary school, where children received education as well as help, food, school books and anything they 

needed for their studies, because most of the children came from needy families.  The school premises were open also in the afternoon, and pupils could do their homework, play and read books in the library. Hundreds of children attended the Tel Chay school, 

and for many of them the natural process would  be going to the Zionist youth movements like "He-Halutz" and emigrating to Eretz Israel .

““Tel Chay” SchoolTel Chay” School

Kindergarten of Tel Chay schooll

       The Medem School A seven year secular elementary school established by the Bund 

Pupils of the Medem School, founded by the Bund on a summer trip, Hrubieszow 1930's.

Jewish youth in the Polish High School

Some of the elementary school graduates continued their education at the Polish high school named after Staszic. Usually their relationship with the 

Polish students were correct, but it was more natural for them to befriend their fellow Jewish students.

Students of the Staszic State Gymnasium, Hrubieszow 1937

In 1934 anti-Semitism in Poland increased. The tension was felt in the high school and anti-Semitic graffiti appeared on the walls “Jews Out”!

Professor Schwidzinski is well remembered for supporting the Jewish students, always willing to listen and to encourage them.

Polish and Jewish students of the 8th grade of the Staszic state gymnasium, Hrubieszow 1928

Jewish girls who graduated elementary school also wished to extend their education. Considering their need to prepare for life, they continued their studies in the girls'  

vocational school, that was run by nuns. They learned needlework, house-management and obtained some general education. Cooking lessons were resented by the girls' parents, worrying that their daughters did not follow Jewish dietary laws.

Jewish & Polish girls at the vocational school

       As long as the school was managed by the nuns, attitude to the Jewish pupils was fair. Atmosphere changed when in 1932 management was taken over by the Polish Women Worker Union. Attitude to the Jewish girls deteriorated, but they 

kept on studying until their graduation.

The Jewish orphanage In those days, when the town suffered of war, plagues and fires, and medical aid was 

scarce or non-existent, there were many orphans.

“On Lubelska street there was a derelict and

dilapidated building, that needed badly some

reconstruction. It was the orphanage. It was

managed by some righteous women. In

1923/24 the town's Jewish youth felt a moral

obligation to renovate the place. They came

with all their enthusiasm, worked on the

building and renewed the children's clothes”.

(after reminiscences of Yehiel Feier ZL)

The children of the Jewish orphanage with members of Hashomer Hatzairwho came to celebrate with them, Hrubieszow 1928

Letter to the youth of Hashomer Hatzair, among them Shmaryahu Mintz, in appreciation and gratitude for their help and contribution to the renovation and maintenance of the orphanage.

( The letter was sent by Mr. Finkelstein, bursar of the orphanage)

The orphans Shmaryahu and Moshe Mintz  with their guardian, Hrubieszow 1922