Hronika jevrejske opštine Banja Luka

Abstract

Ova zvanična publikacija, koja na popularan način govori o banjolučkim Jevrejima, uz prikaz svih faza njihovog života i rada kroz više istorijskih perioda i sa kratkim osvrtom na višemilenijumsku istoriju starih Hebreja, na njihovu kulturu, vjeru i običaje, pisana je na osnovu dostupne arhivske građe iz više izvora, uz pomoć velikog broja stručnih saradnika i, naravno, uz dobru volju Ijudi, bez obzira na boju, vjeru i naciju, koji u svom srcu i duši imaju i njeguju osjećanja prema jevrejskom narodu. U toku tri godine marljivog rada nastojali smo sakupiti i sistematizovati sve relevantne podatke o razvoju dviju jevrejskih opština u Banjoj Luci - sefardske i aškenaske ־ od samog njihovog osnivanja i izgradnje hramova (sinagoga) do tragičnog kraja. Na prostoru Bosne i Hercegovine jedino su u Banjoj Luci i Sarajevu postojale dvije jevrejske opštine, koje su imale izgrađene hramove i u punoj mjeri funkcionisale samostalno od osnivanja do početka Drugog svjetskog rata.U periodu holokausta, zbog stravičnog pogroma Jevreja od strane fašističkog režima i rušenja hramova, one su prekinule svoj rad i od tog vremena, na našu žalost, u Banjoj Luci se više ne spominju bogomolje i ne čita Tora. Dvije jevrejske opštine, meldar, dvije sinagoge, dva rabina, a jedno zajedničko groblje, široko otvorena vrata siromašnima i veliki upliv i doprinos ekonomskom i kulturnom prosperitetu Banje Luke - osnovne su karakteristike jevrejske zajednice u ovom gradu, koja je po svim kriterijumima bila na razini jevrejskih opština u Evropi, ako ne i ispred njih.

This official publication, which talks in a popular way about the Jews of Banja Luka, with an overview of all phases of their life and works through several historical periods and with a brief overview of the millennial history of the ancient Hebrews, their culture, religion, and customs, was written and based on available archives from several sources, with the help of a large number of professional associates and, of course, with the goodwill of people, regardless of color, religion, and nation, who have in their heart and soul and nurture feelings for the Jewish people. During three years of diligent work, we tried to collect and systematize all relevant data on the development of the two Jewish communities in Banja Luka - Sephardic and Ashkenazi - from their very founding and construction of temples (synagogues) to the tragic end. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there were only two Jewish communities in Banja Luka and Sarajevo, which had built temples and fully functioned independently from their founding until the beginning of World War II. During the Holocaust, due to the horrific pogrom of Jews by the fascist regime and the demolition of temples, they interrupted their work and since that time, unfortunately, in Banja Luka, there is no more mention of places of worship and no reading of the Torah. Two Jewish communities, a meldar, two synagogues, two rabbis, and one common cemetery, a wide-open door to the poor, and a great influence and contribution to the economic and cultural prosperity of Banja Luka - are the basic characteristics of the Jewish community in this city. Jewish communities in Europe, if not in front of them.