The Story of the "Vagodsky"s - Real name: Alter

My family's history is interwoven with the rich and tragic tapestry of the Jewish community in Mława, Poland. Before World War II, Mława was home to a vibrant Jewish population that contributed to its cultural, political, and religious life. However, with the onset of the war and the subsequent German occupation, the community faced unspeakable hardships and ultimately, destruction. This blog post delves into the historical context of Mława during the Holocaust, recounting the harrowing events that led to the decimation of its Jewish inhabitants, including the burning of the synagogue on Yom Kippur in 1939 and the brutal roundups of Jews. Through this lens, I aim to honor the memory of my ancestors and shed light on the resilience and suffering of the Jewish community of Mława. Read more to learn their history:

The History of Mława:

The Holocaust resulted in the brutal destruction of the Jewish community in Mława, Poland. Before World War II, this vibrant community included approximately 6,400 Jews, active in various political, cultural, and religious organizations. However, this thriving community faced increased anti-Semitic activities in the 1930s, with Jewish stores being boycotted and Jewish businesses shuttered.

On September 1, 1939, the Germans bombed Mława, causing widespread fires and destruction. Most of the Jewish population fled, but many returned by mid-September. The town fell under German occupation, becoming part of the District of Ciechanów, and its name was changed to Milau.

During Yom Kippur in 1939, the Germans desecrated and burned the town's synagogue and two Beth Midrashim (Jewish houses of study). This act of violence was part of a broader campaign of terror against the Jewish population. In October 1939, German authorities compiled lists of Jewish men aged 14 to 40 and forced them into labor, marking them with identification tags that eventually became the infamous yellow stars of David.

Following the personal initiative of a German officer during Sukkot in 1939, Jews of Mława were rounded up with the intent of expelling them to the Soviet Union, but the operation was halted by a German Lieutenant Colonel. Despite this reprieve, Jews faced daily humiliations, beatings, and forced labor.

By the end of 1939, a Judenrat (Jewish Council) was established under German orders, initially comprising six to seven members, including representatives of the local rabbi. Eliezer Perlmutter was appointed head of the Judenrat and was responsible for the Jewish population in the Mława district.

In December 1940, a ghetto was established, confining 2,450 Jews within its boundaries. Over time, the ghetto population swelled to around 5,000 due to the influx of Jews from nearby areas and the return of some deportees. The living conditions in the ghetto deteriorated rapidly, with overcrowding and inadequate sanitation becoming severe problems.

The destruction of Mława's Jewish community culminated in the Holocaust, with mass deportations and the eventual murder of the vast majority of its members in extermination camps. The community that had once been a cornerstone of Jewish life in the region was obliterated, leaving behind only memories and the solemn duty to remember their suffering and resilience.

The History of the Alter Family:

The Journey of Chava's Family: A Historical Narrative

In the heart of Mlawa, Poland, Shmuel and Shprinza Alter lived with their four children, Hans, David, Mela, and Herbert. Also in Mława was Shmuel sister Sara, her husband Bernard, and their two girls: Herta and Elsa. As the storm clouds of World War II began to gather. Shmuel and Shprinza foresaw the growing peril in their homeland and took the extraordinary risk of sending their children to safety, a selfless act that ultimately cost them their own lives.

Pre-War Tensions and the Decision to Leave

The political climate in Danzig and Zoppot deteriorated rapidly after Hitler took power in 1933. The Nazi Party became dominant, and German rules against Jews were adopted. Jews faced severe restrictions: they were barred from schools, owning businesses, and accessing public places. By 1937, the situation worsened, and the Jewish community in Danzig decided to take drastic measures. They sold their properties to the city council, which agreed to help the Jewish community emigrate in an organized fashion. This unique cooperation enabled 15,000 Jews to relocate to the USA and Palestine. Sacred vessels were sent to the Jewish Museum in New York, and community records were sent to Jerusalem.

In this context, Shmuel and Shprinza made the heart-wrenching decision to send their four children to Palestine (now Israel). They believed that by staying behind to settle their affairs, they would have time to join their children later. However, the tide of war swept them up in the first round of deportations before they could leave.

Escape to Palestine

Hans and Herbert, the oldest and youngest sons, left Danzig in March 1939 with hundreds of Jews on a ship bound for Palestine via Romania. Their journey was fraught with peril. Upon arrival, the British authorities, who then ruled Palestine, sent them back to sea. After three harrowing months, they tried again, landed on the seashore, were briefly arrested by the British, and finally set free. Both brothers joined the British Army and served valiantly during World War II for five years.

Hans's wife and son managed to come to Palestine legally with a permit from the British government, traveling through Italy by ship. Once settled, Hans found work in a construction company, eventually becoming a manager in a large firm.

Herbert, at just 17.5 years old, also joined the British Army, serving in Greece and Egypt. After the war, he returned to Palestine and started working in a restaurant. There, he met his future wife, an immigrant from Hungary and a talented cook. Together, they ran a successful catering service and later a restaurant in Tel Aviv. Their hard work and determination allowed them to buy an apartment and provide a good life for their children.

The Fate of Those Who Stayed Behind

Shmuel's sister Sara and her husband Bernard, along with their two children, chose to stay in Mlawa. As the war progressed, they were caught in the early deportations. Initially confined to a ghetto in Danzig, where both of their children perished, Sara and Bernard were then moved to the Warsaw ghetto. Sara died there, and Bernard was later transferred to a concentration camp, where he eventually perished.

The Horrors of Mlawa During the War

In the weeks leading up to the war, Polish army units took positions in Mlawa, near the German border. The atmosphere was tense, and many wealthy Jews moved to Warsaw. On September 1, 1939, the Germans bombed Mlawa, leading to widespread destruction and chaos. By mid-September, most of the refugees had returned to their devastated hometown.

The German occupation brought severe repression. In October 1939, all male Jews aged 14 to 40 were registered and forced to wear identification tags. Over time, these were replaced by white patches and eventually the infamous yellow star of David. Jews were banned from public places and subjected to forced labor.

Despite these hardships, a Judenrat (Jewish council) was established, led by Eliezer Perlmutter. He managed to maintain a semblance of order and negotiated with the Germans to alleviate some of the Jews' suffering. However, the situation worsened, and in December 1940, the Germans expelled 3,000 Jews from Mlawa, sending them to passage camps and then to various locations in the Lublin area.

Life in the Ghetto

The remaining Jewish population was confined to a ghetto in Mlawa, established in 1941. Conditions were dire, with severe overcrowding and a typhus outbreak. The Judenrat struggled to provide for the community, organizing food smuggling and maintaining some semblance of religious and educational life.

By 1942, the relative calm ended. Perlmutter was murdered, and the Germans intensified their repression. The Jews faced increasing dangers, and many were sent to forced labor camps. Despite these efforts, the Judenrat and the Jewish police worked tirelessly to protect the community.

The Legacy of Survival

Through sheer determination and resilience, Hans, Herbert, and their siblings built new lives in Palestine. They arrived with no family, no friends, and no resources, yet they persevered. Hans worked his way up in a construction company, while Herbert and his Hungarian wife ran a successful restaurant business.

The sacrifices of Shmuel and Shprinza Alter, who stayed behind to protect their children, and the tragic fate of Sara, Bernard, and their children, underscore the immense challenges faced by Jewish families during the Holocaust. The Altar family's story is a testament to the strength and perseverance of those who survived and rebuilt their lives against all odds.