Fifty years have passed since the day when seven hundred Jews from northern Banat, including one hundred and sixty of our fellow citizens, vanished forever from the banks of the Tisa River near Novi Bečej. They were carried away by the black ships of death into the abyss of annihilation.
Those who remember that time recall the humiliating torment inflicted upon these victims—whose only "crime" was their belonging to a particular people—breaking their bodies, crushing their spirits, and destroying their dignity.
To this day, no one has compiled a complete list of the destroyed.
We will never precisely know the full number of these martyrdom victims.
Therefore, let us take this opportunity to recall some facts about the lives and works of these unfortunate fellow citizens.
For a century and a half, the Jewish community of Novi Bečej lived among us.
This group of people traced their origins to ancestors who settled in Banat’s towns and villages after the expulsion of the Turks, migrating from northern regions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. There, they built homes and started anew.
Despite facing severe suspicion, unjust accusations, and legal restrictions imposed by the authorities of the time, they secured a bare minimum of existence through tireless work and immense sacrifice.
They arrived as small-scale itinerant merchants or leaseholders of fishing and tavern rights. Only after proving themselves to be honest, hardworking, and upright citizens over many years were they granted full civil equality—a requirement not imposed on other nationalities.
Thus began a long period of adaptation to a new life and environment.
Tied primarily to commercial success, they often relocated to more tolerant and economically vibrant areas. Consequently, the Jewish population in Novi Bečej and Vranjevo fluctuated, with relatively few families remaining as long-term residents.
A strong and relatively insular religious community served as the backbone of collective endeavors, while mutual support and solidarity allowed families to stabilize and progress.
As early as 1825, they established a cemetery, and by 1865, they built their synagogue—a house of worship and a center for community gatherings.
By the late 19th century, they had also founded a school aimed at providing practical knowledge for economic advancement.
This was the community’s most prosperous and dynamic period:
- Annual births averaged more than seven children.
- The primary school enrolled over forty Jewish students each year.
- Novi Bečej and Vranjevo were home to around forty Jewish businesses.
- Prominent Jewish entrepreneurs played significant roles in banks founded in 1868 and 1882.
- The largest industrial enterprise of the time, a major sawmill with a mill, was established by Vilmoš Milko, a Jew from Senta.
- Esteemed professionals included Dr. Šalamon Stern (physician), Dr. Nandor Mitelman (lawyer), Bernat Kraus (teacher), Gabor Polgar (sawmill director), Ignac Lebl (railway clerk), Šandor Pipersberg (postal worker), and Rabbi Filip Polak.
The integration of Jews into all aspects of society began. By the early 20th century, they were fully equal residents of Novi Bečej and Vranjevo, closely connected to other citizens through business and friendships.
Their economic influence grew, their educational level rose, and their participation in public life became increasingly evident.
The Jewish community included a distinguished class of citizens known for their business achievements, economic prosperity, education, and social influence. Notable individuals included:
- Wealthy grain merchants such as Izidor, Geza, and Adolf Šlezinger; Maks Cigler; Geza Vajs; and Jožef Brandajz.
- Physicians such as Dr. Mor Grin, Dr. Imre Hubai, and Dr. Bela Goldman.
- Lawyers including Dr. Gustav Samek, Dr. Deže Kanic, and Dr. Bela Patai.
- Dentists Mikša Hajdu and Elemer Fekete.
- Pharmacist Mr. Bernhard Hercler.
- Veterinarian Karolj Oler.
- Economist Imre Deri, a sawmill director.
In public service, figures such as Bela Bihari (tax official), Daniel Boroš (municipal clerk), Samuel Laslo (postal official), Adolf Vajs (steamship station chief), and Zoltan Pancel (court clerk) were prominent.
Young Jews increasingly mingled with peers of other nationalities, participating together in emerging sports organizations. Jews played a key role in developing football in Novi Bečej, excelling as players and officials. Similarly, they were active in swimming and scouting, where figures like Herman Bergl and Đerđ "Đurika" Šlezinger stood out.
While Jews generally refrained from politics, some young individuals actively opposed racism and Nazism, often at great personal risk. Tragically, individuals like Đerđ Šlezinger, Herman Bergl, Ištvan Šlezinger, and Margita Huven were among the first victims of Nazi pogroms, executed as hostages on July 31, 1941.
The Holocaust consumed the entire Jewish community of Novi Bečej. To this day, no survivor from the Novi Bečej concentration camp has been identified.
Today, few physical traces of Jewish life remain in Novi Bečej. Their synagogue, sold in 1947, was dismantled for construction materials. The cemetery, sold in 1976, now holds only a modest memorial marking the burial of 239 members of the community. A few well-preserved houses stand as silent witnesses to their presence.
In memory of this community, a small monograph on the Jewish community of Novi Bečej is being prepared, documenting over a thousand individuals and three hundred families who lived, married, and studied in the town between 1888 and 1941.
On the grain warehouse at the end of Novi Bečej’s main street—the last station for seven hundred northern Banat Jews before their journey to death—a commemorative plaque will be installed.
Let this small PROMEMORIA contribute to preserving the memory of these tragic events and ensure the suffering of innocent people is never forgotten.
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