Krynki, located on an important route between Kraków and Grodno, had a significant Jewish
presence since the 17th century. Josif Giel established a wool and flannel factory here in 1827;
it was soon joined by other factories, including 14 leather tanneries and 8 leather works. By the
end of the 19th century, Krynki had about 5,000 inhabitants, 88-90% Jewish. The community had five
synagogues, two Hasidic prayer houses, over a dozen cheders, a yeshiva, a hospital and nursery, and social
and aid organizations such as Linas Hatzedek and Bikkur Cholim. There were Jewish schools and sports
clubs, Zionist organizations, and labor unions.
In June 1941 the Nazis occupied Krynki and began a reign of brutality and murder. In December 1941, a
ghetto was set up where the entire Jewish population, as well as Jews from nearby areas, were forced to live.
Liquidation of the ghetto began in October 1942; 5,000 Jews were deported to the camp in Kolbassino.
Some resisted, firing stolen rifles and revolvers; several escaped to the forest. The few Jews left after the
deportation were finally sent to the extermination camp in Treblinka.
Today, no Jews live in Krynki, but the memory of them lives on. This book was written "to bring forth the
history of this martyred community... its founding, industrial power, struggles, fights, and revolts."
