SHTETL. THE RISE AND FALL OF JEWISH TOWNS IN THE EASTERN BORDERLANDS

Discover the fascinating history of the shtetl, a Jewish town that for centuries was home to millions of Jews in Eastern Europe. Immerse yourself in the story of its rise, culture and influence on the collective memory of Jews. Discover the realities of life in the shtetl, from bustling markets to the daily worries of its inhabitants.

• The first social, economic and cultural history of the shtetl.
• Challenges the stereotype of the shtetl as a remote village plagued by poverty and pogroms.
• Shows the shtetl as a thriving community in its best years.
• Reconstructs a colorful social mosaic of the shtetl.
• Describes the family life of Jews in the shtetl, their homes, shops and taverns.
• Discovers the impact of the golden years of the shtetl on the collective memory of Jews.

Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern brings the golden years of the shtetl back to life, examining its numerous examples using rich archival materials. The shtetl, defined as a private Polish town owned by a Catholic magnate, subject to the administration of the tsarist empire and economically dependent on the activities of Jews, achieved success as a market town thanks to its special position in the triangle of power. The author reconstructs a colorful social mosaic of the shtetl, describing the efforts of Russian officials to locate shtetls on the map of the empire, and the far-reaching commercial activities of Jewish merchants importing goods from France, Austria, Prussia, and even the Ottoman Empire.

The author then presents the family life of Jews in the shtetl, their homes, shops and taverns, books and religious life, and the bustling market with Polish nobility, Ukrainian peasantry and Russian police in the background. This nuanced story, illustrated with original archival photographs and reproductions of works of art, shows the shtetl in a completely new light, revealing the lasting impact of its golden years on the collective memory of Jews. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Jews in Eastern Europe and the culture and society of the shtetl.

The Jagiellonian University Publishing House presents this publication as an important contribution to research on the history of Jews in Eastern Europe. Based on solid research and rich source materials, this book is sure to interest both scholars and the general public. The author, Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern, is a recognized expert in the history of Jews in Eastern Europe, and his work is a valuable source of knowledge about the shtetl and its inhabitants.