Alternate names: Mielec [Pol], Melitz, מעליץ [Yid], Melits, Myelets. 50°17' N, 21°25' E, 27 miles NE of Tarnów, 30 miles WNW of Rzeszów. Jewish population: 3,280 (in 1910). Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego (1880-1902), VI, pp. 337-339: "Mielec". Yizkors: Sefer zikaron le-kehilat Mielec; sipur hashmadat ha-kehila ha-yehudit (New York, 1979). Zichronot me'ir huladeti Myeletz (, ). Melitser yidn (Tel Aviv, 1979). Shtetlink. Cemetery photos. A city in SE Poland with a population of 60,979 inhabitants in 2008 and located in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship since 1999 and previously in Rzeszów Voivodeship (1975-1998). Mielec is the capital city of Mielec powiat. Jewish settlement date from the mid-17th century. Tax records in 1765 show 585 Jews in Mielec and 326 in surrounding villages working mainly in trade, crafts and small-scale agriculture. A huge fire took place in 1900. Economic pressure not to buy from Jews and strong anti-Semitism resulted in an exodus of Jews from Mielec in the interwar period. [June 2009]
OLD CEMETERY: Jadernych Street. The main gate is now in Jadernych Street although before the Holocaust when the cemetery was much larger it extended from Jadernych Street to Mickiewicza Street with the main gate on Mickiewicza Street. Established in the beginning of 17th century, Jews from Mielec, Piątkowiec, and Smoczka [the last two now part of Mielec] used this cemetery. The last burial was in 1941. The 700 sq. m cemetery was outside the town on a small sandy hill that now is near the town cente and about 0.7-km from the place were the synagogue was located. The Nazis vandalized the cemetery, using matzevot for paving roads or dumping them in the Wisłoka River. After WWI,I the city built a post office on part of the cemetery over the ohel of Tzaddik Reb Horowitz. Up to 1993, a small public park was in the cemetery near the post office. In 1993, Mrs. Rachela Sussman had the remaining part of the Old Cemetery fenced and a black granite obelisk monument inscribed in Polish and Hebrew established. At the top is a Mogen David. The base of the monument has three Magen Davids and three inscription in English, Hebrew and Polish. Access is only through the city office. 35-40 mostly broken matzevot and one intact matzevah remain. In August 1994, the Regional Museum in Mielec salvaged the matzevot in the river and placed them in the cemetery near the monument.
NEW CEMETERY: Established in 19th century with last burial in 1942, this cemetery is on Traugutta Street on the outskirts of Mielec about 1 km from the town's center and the former synagogue and between agricultural fields, small private houses, and factories. As of 2006, the cemetery is fenced, but very few Matzevot remain. The chain and lock on the gate are rusted. On January 2005, the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage reported signs of vandalism and anti-Semitic graffiti on the memorial monument in the New Jewish Cemetery. photos.
MASS GRAVE: On the crossroads of Świerkowa Street and Wspólna Street is a commemorative obelisk on a small prominatory in the center of the cemetery marking the mass grave of Mielec Jews killed during the deportation of Mielec Jews. Early on March 9, 1942, transport of Mielec Jews began. All remaining Jews were marched to the aircraft hangers at Cyranka. The elderly, sick, and prominent people in the community were shot. Over the next three days, as Mielec's Jews were deported by train, those remaining at Cyranka were marched around and around the compound. Any seeming weak, sick or injured were shot and buried in a mass grave near the aircraft factory. [June 2009]
MIELEC (I): US Commission No. POCE000498
(Alternate name: Melitz in Yiddish) Mielec I is located in Rzeszow at 21º25 50º17. Cemetery location: ul. Mickiewicza. Present town population is 25,000-100,000 without Jews.
- Town: Urzad Miejski, ul. Zeromskiego 26, 39-300 Mielec, tel. 32-81.
- Regional: Wojewodzki Konserwator Zabytkow Rzeszow, ul. Mickiewicza 15, tel. 37511.
The earliest known Jewish community was 17th century. 1939 Jewish population (census) was 1500 to 2000. The Jewish cemetery was established in 18th century. Pietkowiec and Smoczka communities used this cemetery 0.5-km from congregation. The isolated urban flat land has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a public road without wall or gate. The size of the cemetery before WWII was 700 sq. m. The cemetery no longer exists, no gravestones or structures. The municipality owns property used for the post office. Properties adjacent are residential. The cemetery was vandalized during WWII. June 1992 Natascha Rode, 35-213 Rzeszow, ul. Starzynskiego 5/29 visited site and completed survey. Documentation: P. Burchard, Zabytki Kultury Zydowskiej. No interviews.
MIELEC (II): US Commission No. POCE000499
See Mielec I for town information. Cemetery location: ul. Traugutta.
The Jewish cemetery was established in 19th century with last burial during WWII, 1 km. from congregation. The isolated rural (agricultural) flat land has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a public road and crossing other public property, access is open to all without wall or gate. The size of the cemetery before WWII was 800 sq. m; present size is 100 sq. m. 1-20 tombstones, all in original locations with less than 25% toppled or broken, date from 20th century. The limestone and sandstone flat shaped stones have Hebrew and Polish inscriptions. The cemetery contains special memorial monuments to Holocaust victims and marked mass graves. The municipality owns property used for Jewish cemetery only. Properties adjacent are agricultural. The cemetery boundaries are smaller than in 1939 due to agriculture. Private visitors rarely visit. The cemetery was vandalized during WWII. Local authorities cleared vegetation. There is no care now. The cemetery has no structures. Security is a very serious threat. See Mielec I for survey information.
UPDATE: Rachela Sussmann of the US had the remaining part of the old cemetery by Jadernego Street fenced and a monument established with inscriptions in Polish and Hebrew. In August 1994, the Regional Museum at Lielec retrieved the matsevot sunk in the river during WWII. Retrieved pieces were placed on the cemetery close to the monument. Source: U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad [date?]