Jewish Bialystok And Surroundings in Eastern Poland

Since the Nazis so effectively erased most signs of the Jews in Poland (and the communists erased some of what remained), this book is like a treasure map. Wisniewski identifies every memorial plaque, grave, and building that was once connected to the Jewish community in Bialystok and about 30 smaller communities. Each description is accompanied by a short discussion of the relevant history. Unlike guides that only describe what is visible, in 'Jewish Bialystok,' when there is nothing left (or next to nothing), Wisniewski informs the reader what happened before, during and after WWII. My sole criticism is that the directions are often vague and the maps inadequate. These shortcomings were more than made up by the wealth of information Wisniewski provides about each town and village. The book also includes sources for additional historical and geneological information.

I can trace my roots back to the area but was unfamiliar with much of the local history, so I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will recommend it to others interested in Jewish life before the Holocaust.


Bought this book to help search for family from Narewka   October 7, 1998
 7 out of 10 found this review helpful

I wrote a longer review for the Narewka mailing list I run, if you want to joing send a blank message to narewka-subscribe@j-geek.org.

Finally this Shabbat we received the long awaited Bialystock book (Jewish Bialystok and Surroundings in Eastern Poland, by Tomasz Wisniewksi), I spent one afternoon on Succot reading it.

The book was small only 147 pages and I was able to read half of it in one afternoon. It is well written and provides a good insight into how people must have lived in the region. It also inspired my father and I to want to visit the area, perhaps in the next year.

The 'chapter' on Narewka was brief, about three pages.