Support for Jewish matters. The Humanitarian Society Humanitas B'nei B'rith in Przemyśl in the Second Polish Republic

Abstract

Przemyśl, in 1931 inhabited by 17,326 followers of Judaism accounting for 34% of its total population, was a medium-sized Polish town, where a major role was played by Jewish elites, including lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, teachers etc., supporters of the Zionist movement. The Jewish elites of Przemyśl were associated with the Humanitarian Society Humanitas B’nei B’rith founded in 1924, as a part of the larger and highly recognised international organization B’nei B’rith. The Society is noteworthy for a number of reasons. It was one of the most active B'nei B'rith organisations operating in the Second Polish Republic. Joined by and integrating the local Jewish elites, the Society provided a platform for activities of local, regional and, at times, international importance in support for the Jewish community. In Przemyśl the Society was involved in charitable activities, mainly aimed to benefit orphans and the poor, and it conducted a variety of cultural and educational activities. Particularly worthy of notice is the fact that, as an opponent of antisemitism, Humanitas played a very important role within the local Jewish community of Przemyśl.