Sosnowiec Jewish Cemetery
Cemetery Information
Historical overview
The development of the Jewish settlement in Sosnowiec dates back to the mid-19th century. In 1915, Modrzejów (adjacent to Sosnowiec), where Jews lived since the mid-17th century, was incorporated into the town. In 1938, the Jewish community of Sosnowiec numbered 28,893 people.
The cemetery was established in the last decade of the 19th century on the site of an epidemic cemetery. In 1910, its area was expanded. Currently, it is located on a rectangular parcel of land with the approximate dimensions 60 × 175 m, with an entrance from Gospodarcza Street.
During World War II, victims of German repression were buried in the cemetery, including those who were shot in September 1939.
After 1945, the cemetery was used by the Jewish Religious Association, then by the Congregation of the Mosaic Faith in Sosnowiec, and by the Religious Union of the Mosaic Faith in Katowice. Currently, it is used by the Jewish Community in Katowice.
The cemetery has undergone extensive destruction. Most of the tombstones were taken away from the cemetery, moved from the original place of burial, or damaged. There are around 350 tombstones in varying conditions. The oldest identified tombstone is dated 1883. The newest is from 2006. At the entrance, there is a funeral home currently inhabited by a caretaker. The cemetery site is walled.
The most famous people buried in this cemetery are:
Awraham Meir Gitler (died 1925) — a rabbi in Pińczów and Sosnowiec,
Adolf Oppenheim (died 1899) — a founder of the Trade and Expeditionary House and the Chemical Factory “Radocha”, responsible for the construction of the cemetery fence,
Henryk Reicher (died 1934) — a founder of the H. Reicher i Co. Trade and Expeditionary House.
The cemetery remains in operation. It is the property of the Jewish Community in Katowice, which takes care of cleaning works there and employs a caretaker. The cemetery is listed in the Provincial Register of Monuments. It is not entered in the Register of Real Estate Monuments. The list of preserved tombstones is available at: https://sztetl.org.pl/pl/miejscowosci/s/451-sosnowiec/115-pamiec-w-kamieniu/33328-cięcz-zydowski-w-sosnowcu-ul-gospodarcza .