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208 LUBOML
Members of Zionist Youth (Halloar HaTsioni) and Jewish National Fund activists on a field trip,
Lag BaOmer, 1929.
The teachers in the German school were
Yaina Henta Kesler and Giza. Giza got married
and left town after a while, but Yaina remained
and continued to teach the town's children in the
Polish public school established later.
When the war was over and the Austrian
army left our town, the youth of Luboml once
again faced a problem. All that they had learned in
the Ukrainian and German languages now had to
give way to Polish. The children had to learn a
strange language and a different culture. While
adults suffered as a result, the change was very
difficult for Luboml youth as well.
At that time, Zionist and Hebrew cultural
activities got under way in town. Those among us
who were especially talented soon became the
leaders of the group that was forming. The ones
who began these activities were, to the best of my
knowledge, Israel Grimatlicht (Garmi), my brother
Bebik, may he rest in peace, Zalman Fisher, Elye
Frechter, and Nathan Blumen-Tchelet. It was not
long before these few were joined by many others,
and all together they began public service work
aimed at Eretz Yisroel.
A movement was formed that consisted of the
best, most motivated and talented youth in town.
On their own, these youths organized lectures
and plays; they founded a library and encouraged
social and cultural events in town. From time to
time a representative or lecturer was sent by the
central office of the movement. The cultural activities
increased and the plays were received
positively by the Jewish community. From the
town of Chelm theatrical directors came to guide
these productions.
At the same time they began to organize a
vehicle for Hebrew education in town. The first
teachers were brought from out of town. Among
them were Asher Budman (who is also my
brother-in-law), Yakov Dubelman, and Avrom
Palevsky. As in the past, the Luboml youth became
pioneers and made aliyah to Eretz Yisroel
a process that continued until World War II.