Khorostkov, Ukraine

Pre World War II Chorostkow: The Shtetl I Remember

by Dr. Morton R. Lang

Historically there is evidence of a Jewish presence in what became Chorostkow for close to 500 years, but it was only in the mid-18th century that Graff (Count) Sieminski, the land owner of this area, gave Chorostlow the rights of a town. Although I left Chorostkow in 1936 at the age of 13, I remember it as if I had been there yesterday.

It should be understood that although every shtetl was a town, not every town could qualify as an authentic Galician or East European shtetl. There were certain fundamental characteristics that belonged to a shtetl and Chorostkow had most, if not all of them: A shtetl usually had a population of less than 5000 residents overwhelmingly, if not entirely Jewish. Chorsotkow, geographically located south of Tarnopol and north of Chortkow was home to about 500 Jewish families numbering around 2,500 souls. Typical of a shtetl, it was surrounded by a number of "derflach" (villages) with a total population double or triple that number, almost entirely non Jewish peasants (mainly Ukrainian) who farmed the land and raised livestock, many virtually not much above serfs, working and living on land owned by the local count or Polish absentee landowner whose lands were overseen, usually, by a Jewish "arendar" (manager). The town Jews, on the other hand, had an autonomous "kehilla" (community) dealing with Jewish community affairs. In pre-World War I days, it was frequently referred to as "kehilla kedosha" (sacred community). Under the impact of emancipation and "modernity," Chorostkow became increasingly secular, zionist, and yiddishist in orientation rather than religious. However, yiddishkeit flourished in every house regardless of the degree of religiosity practiced or obeserved therein.

The synagogue was the cornerstone and pillar of the shtetl and Chorostkow had the "Groisse Shul" (the Large Synagogue) with its town Rabbi, where the wealthiest and well-to-do merchants worshipped and supported it. Additionally, there were several other congregations, ranging from Hasidic "shtiebelach" of the various Hasidic sects, followers of the different Rabbinic Dynasties, to those where the majority of worshippers were artisans, trademen or workers. Of course, there was a "mikva," several "cheders," a cemetery and a Chevra Kadisha (Burial Society). Within a radius of about 25 miles existed three Hasidic courts, headed by the Chortkower, Husiatiner and Kipitchenitzer (Kopychintse in Polish) Rabbis.

Post World War I, zionist, yiddishist (the Bund) and secular cultural activity increasingly displaced but never completely replaced religiosity and Shabbat was the communal holiday observed by all, regardless of individual beliefs. In Chorsotkow could be found the full spectrum of zionist organizations from Hechalutz and Hanoar HaZioni to Hashomer Hatzair on the far left and Betar on the far right. There was also a secular Hebrew school and boys and girls kindergartens. Adults belonged to Histadrut, Poale Zion, Keren Kayemet l'Yisroel (J.N.F.), Mizrachi et alia. All of these organizational activities were centered in the Beit HaAm (The Peoples' House), a small caastle-like building fronting at the head of the central town square. Culturally there was the Literary and Drama Circle which supported and hosted various amateur theatre, visiting professional touring troupes, lecturers and speakers and held study groups in Yiddish and Hebrew literature. A large "Frauen Verein" (Ladies Organization) was involved in much of the town's social activity, including dances and formal balls coinciding with the festival of Hanukah and Purim and of course fund raising. Regardless of the activity or involvement, the shtetl's social stratum was governed by "yichus" (prominence) based on economic (wealth), education (doctors, lawyers), or Jewish learning (Rabbis, Yeshiva proteges).

Of course no self respecting shtetl would be without a Sprots Club, and Chorostkow boasted of "Hekoach," its soccer team.

Economically, virtually the entire Jewish population was involved in commerce, retail sales or production of durable goods. There were the well-to-do merchants dealing in wheat and flour, livestock, furs; government concessionaires for alcohol and salt; craftsmen, artisans, innkeepers with varying levels of income and peddlers, barely eking out a livelihood. The one common source of income or barter was the non-Jewish population of the surrounding villages who brought in their grain, produce and livestock for sale and purchased clothing, dry goods, tools and equipment. Chorostkow had its weekly Monday "Yarid" (market day) and this was the basis for the livelihood for the Jewish town residents.

Tragically, World War II and its Nazi HolocaustS and Communist repression terminated the Jewish shtetl.