PRZEWORSK

PRZEWORSK, town in Rzeszow province, S.E. Poland. The town was overrun by the Turks in 1498, it endured the invasion of the Swedes in 1656 during the reign of John Casimir, and recovered after 1677 when the Polish sejm decided to lend its assistance in its development. From then on it enjoyed economic prosperity. In 1865 its total population was 4,000 and in 1921 it was 3,371 of which 1,457 were Jews. moses sofer (d. 1805), a rabbi of the community, achieved fame in his lifetime and was regarded as a saint after his death. After World War I its library played a prominent role in the cultural life of the Jewish population. After the great fire of 1930 many of the town's Jews were left homeless and dependent on support from charitable institutions. With the increase of antisemitism during the 1930s the community organized a protest campaign and a self-defense group. Elections to the community were held in 1934. No information is available on later years. (Shimshon Leib Kirshenboim)