1. Biłgoraj - centrum miejscowości

Jews in Bilgoraj - Until 1918. - Although the privilege of free Jewish settlement in Bilgoraj was not issued by the town's owner, Zbigniew Gorajski, until 1616., Jews had lived here since at least the late 1690s. By virtue of this privilege, a synagogue square was delineated at the southwest corner of the market, at the exit of the tract to Krzeszow (later Nadstawna Street), around which a Jewish quarter was established. The owner of the city allowed the establishment of a cemetery outside the city.This privilege was probably issued to confirm the existing status quo. Bilgoraj Jews were allowed to freely buy houses and squares in the city, as well as to conduct - on an equal footing with the Christian population - any economic activity. They made their living mainly from trade - both local and long-distance, leasing, alcohol production and handicrafts.Gorajski established a separate court to hear all cases involving the Jewish community. In the years 1648-1649 Khmelnytsky's Cossacks slaughtered most of Bilgoraj's Jews, already in the third quarter of the 17th century. The Jewish community began to revive. Jews resided in the center of the city, around the market square and on the adjacent streets: Zatylna, Rynkowa and Tarnogrodzka. Single Jewish houses were also located on ul. Morowa and ul. Nadstawna Street (former Krzeszowska Street), where the kahal house, the rabbi's house, the synagogue and the shelter (hospital) were located. At the end of the 17th century., by virtue of a privilege from the town's owner Stanislaw Szczuka, an independent municipality was established. In the 18th century. It was growing economically and demographically, aided by, among other things. subordination in 1741. Biłgoraj municipality of Jews living in Frampol and in Radzindzinski estate. The main sources of income for the Jewish population were the arenda of the Ordinance estates, beer brewing and booze smoking, crafts, local and supra-local trade. In 1740. All the stalls located at Bilgoraj's market square were owned by Jewish merchants. They brought goods to the city, the production of which, by virtue of privileges, Christian craftsmen claimed exclusive rights, which led to tensions and conflicts.In the 19th century. Bilgoraj was a multi-ethnic and multi-religious city, whose community was co-created by Jews, Poles and Ukrainians. Near the market, there was a Catholic church, on ul. Lubelska Street - a synagogue and two beit ha- midrash, while on ul. Tarnogrodzka - a Uniate Orthodox church. There were also three Jewish cemeteries, a Catholic cemetery and a Uniate cemetery.Although Jews were prohibited from settling in the border area between 1823 and 1882, the Bilgoraj community grew rapidly in terms of demographics. In addition to the Jewish stores, wholesalers and numerous craftsmen (tailors, shoemakers and rushers) operating mainly in the city center, there were also several larger commercial and industrial enterprises. Until the January Uprising (1863), Bilgoraj was one of the more thriving trade centers in this part of the Lublin Governorate, but as early as the 1870s., among others. Due to its unfavorable location in relation to new transportation routes, the city began to lose its economic position. At the end of the 19th century. Under the management of the community were a brick synagogue, erected in 1875. After a fire in the old wooden one, two brick beit ha- midrash from 1860., a mikveh, a Talmud-Torah type school, a shelter for the poor and three cemeteries. At the end of the 19th century. interest in Hasidism increased, and the tzaddikim of Turzysk, Belz, Gorlice and Rudnik had the most followers. Probably before World War I, a cell of the workers' Bund party was established in Bilgoraj, in 1916. - a branch of the Zionist Organization, and soon afterwards - other political parties and youth organizations, referring to Zionist ideology. During World War I, Jewish social and cultural life flourished - Yiddish and Hebrew newspapers printed in Warsaw appeared, an amateur theater circle was organized, and the first private library was established. .