Israel Cohen, Translated by Adam Prager
Eight years ago a group of people from Buczacz came up with the idea of commemorating our venerable community, whose history and influence go farbeyond its narrow borders. During these eight years – with some interruptions – this book was prepared.
The editor of this volume understands that much remains to be done and that ourwork will probably never be complete. With the destruction of the magnificentcommunity of Buczacz and the death of its inhabitants, information and memories were lost together with those pure souls, making it impossible to gather all the historical facts needed to portray the town in full detail. It was necessary to collect material from remote places, to order the most varied bits and pieces and to encourage individuals from near and far to contribute to the preparation of this book. The editor and other members of the Book Committee spared no labors in trying to find both public and private sources for the completion of the book plan. Nevertheless, many gaps in both the near and distant past could not be bridged with the material that accumulated by chance.
We were aware, however, that this would be the last opportunity to erect a sacred memorial for Buczacz, to collect what we could from the mouths of thetownspeople and to recover documents that were left scattered about. For with each passing year fewer remain who remember and who are of connecting strand to strand, fragment to fragment, story to story,description to description, picture to picture and memory to memory so as to revive the image of the community of Buczacz, to leave a record and give it a name.
The literary criterion was not the only one for determining what to include inthe book; value and usefulness also played a role in its arrangement. For thebook's sole purpose is to collect material from wherever and whomever possiblein order to reconstruct Jewish Buczacz. Therefore, certain repetitions dealing with the city's cultural and civic life were not omitted, even if they failed to introduce any novelties or add a personal touch. The editor especially followed this principle in the section describing the ruin of the town and the acts of destruction by the soldiers of Hitler (may his name be blotted out!). The editor had no intention of editing the style of sections dealing with bloodshed and heroism, but simply allowed the speakers to tell in their own words what they saw and what they experienced. For all the descriptions were written close to the time of the events, shortly after their writers succeeded in saving themselves and finding asylum in Israel, the United States, or Europe.
Although responsibility for the book lies with the editor alone, he has thegreat pleasure to add that he consulted S.Y. Agnon at various stages in thebook's preparation. Not only did Agnon write a unique bibliographical studyespecially for this volume, as well as several stories of Buczacz; he also gavelearned and fascinating advice to the editor; his remarks are diffused throughout the book and for this the editor is grateful. It is only natural that the name Agnon is mentioned so often in the book. Agnon has contributed to Hebrew literature a kind of celestial Buczacz, having for decades nurtured and been nurtured by this source. Agnon as a writer is no longer associated with and of interest to the people of Buczacz alone; he plays a major role within the Jewish people and its literature. However, if the special pride the Buczacz survivors take in Agnon is too apparent, may they be forgiven – it is only human to take pride in one's townsman.
The reader will probably notice the various spellings of the town's name. This cannot be avoided. Due to the form of the name and its differentpronunciations, especially by Jews and Christians, different spellings have been used since the time the town was mentioned both in old and new Hebrew and Yiddish books. Therefore the editor has decided to follow the rule: thestandard spelling is Buczacz, although in cases where the name is mentionedfrom different sources, it will be given as in those sources.
Prior to the publishing of the book Mrs Chaya Roll (may she rest in peace), passed away. Chaya was the moving spirit of the Book Committee. Out of herlove for this town and its Jewish life, she worked with great enthusiasm for the writing of this book, encouraging others to do the same. Much of the credit for the publishing of the book is due to her. Blessed be her memory…
Israel Cohen
