History of the Jewish Gymnastics and Sports Association "Makabi" in Busko - Zdrój

 Łukasz Kasza

A Short History of the Jewish Gymnastics and Sports Association "Makabi"

in Busko - Zdrój

On September 8, 1937, the District Head of Busko received a request in four copies to legalize the Makabi Sports and Gymnastics Society. The founders of the society were a group of 15 Jews living in Busko-Zdrój. They were: Wajcman Jankiel Hersz, Pacanowski Majer, Cukier Lejb, Wygodny Dawid, Taubenblat Fajwel, Wolbromski Szyja, Lewkowicz Izrael, Rakowski Fajwel, Grynewize Nusyn, Gdalewicz Zelman, Cukier Berek, Szwajcer Szmul, Wolbromski Hersz, Goldberg Abram, and Nożyc Tobiasz. The founders requested that the legalization be processed as quickly as possible. The request then went to the Voivodeship Office in Kielce, which, in a letter dated April 29, 1938, proposed amendments to the society's statute. In a declaration submitted to the Kielce Voivodeship Office, to the Social and Political Department, on July 9, 1938, the founders agreed to all amendments and additions to the founding documents. The declaration also included proof of payment of 30 złoty to PKO account no. 730, which was intended to cover the cost of publishing the Society's registration in the Monitor Polski. Also enclosed was a stamp for 5 złoty to legalize the agreed-upon statute. The Kielce Voivodeship Office received a positive opinion from the Staroste of the Stopnica County regarding the proposed establishment of the Jewish Maccabi Society, prepared in September 1937. The Starosty argued that: "The Association meets the requirements of social benefit. The founding members have legal capacity, have no criminal records, and enjoy a good reputation in all respects." The Command of Corps District No. X, which also participated in the review process, did not express any reservations regarding the emerging "Maccabi" Society. Subsequently, on August 27, 1938, the Association submitted a request to the Voivodeship Office in Kielce, stating that: "Due to the fact that the sports season is now beginning. Therefore, we kindly ask you to expedite the resolution of this matter, which is so important to us.” The registration process was extended for another six months, as on January 16, 1939, the Association submitted another Application for “the prompt registration of our statute.” The Association was officially registered on January 31, 1939. By decision of the Voivodeship Office in Kielce, Social and Political Department, pursuant to Article 21 of the Law on Associations of October 27, 1932, it was entered into the register of associations and unions of the Kielce Voivodeship Office under the number 18/39, under the name "Makabi Jewish Gymnastics and Sports Association in Busko-Zdrój." The board consisted of:

1. President Herszel Lewkowicz

2. First Vice President Wolbromski Szyja

3. Second Vice President Josek Tarkieltaub

4. Secretary Grynewize Nusyn

5. Treasurer Rakowski Machel

6. Member Lewandowski Szlama

7. Member Taubenblat Jojne

8. Member Bonda Moszek

The association was located in Busko-Zdrój at Piłsudskiego Street No. 22.

Based on currently available archival documents, it is difficult to assess whether the "Makabi Jewish Sports Club" managed to expand its activities even to the initial stage. The year the "Makabi Sports Association" in Busko-Zdrój began its activities, i.e., 1939, was the year World War II began. On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, unleashing a brutal war and then a cruel occupation. The reality of war upended the lives of millions of people living in the Second Polish Republic, particularly affecting its Jewish citizens.

 

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