Jewish Community in the Brzeg District in the Early Post-World War II Years: Insights from the State Archive in Opole

Abstract

The article reviews the current research on the Jewish community in Lower Silesia during the initial years following World War II. It emphasizes key publications addressing repatriation, settlement, organizational structures, economic activity, and the cultural and religious life of the Jewish population, while also discussing the histories of specific localities. The authors outline the relatively stable conditions for the development of the community in the first post-war years, highlighting the variety of institutions, organizations and establishments created and run by the Jewish community. Although much of the research covers the entirety of Lower Silesia or certain areas, it has overlooked Brzeg and its district. The literature reviewed primarily relies on materials from the Central and Provincial Committees of Jews. However, as demonstrated by documents from the Brzeg County Starost Office found in state archives, other valuable sources exist. The article closes by proposing new research avenues focused on the reconstruction of Jewish organizational structures in the Brzeg district, along with its leadership and various forms of social, economic, and cultural activities.