ZABLUDOW

ZABLUDOW (Pol. Zabludów), town S.E. of bialystok , in N.E. Poland. Jewish settlement in Zabludow began to develop   toward the end of the 15th century. The wooden synagogue, built in 1646 and restored in 1765, is one of the best examples of the type in Poland. An important commercial center, Zabludow was the venue of the meetings of the Council of Lithuania (see councils of lands ) in 1664 and 1667. The Russian conquest in 1660 caused terrible suffering to the community. The minute book (pinkas) of the community, containing its records from 1650 to 1800, and of the burial society (1701–1819) are extant. The Jewish population increased from 831 in 1764 to 2,621 by 1897 (68.6% of the total population). During the 19th century weaving and tanning industries developed in Zabludow. Owing to deteriorating economic conditions, however, many Jews immigrated to the United States between 1905 and 1925. Zabludow reverted to Poland after World War I. In 1939 the community numbered about 2,000. During World War II, the Jews of Zabludow were mobilized by the Germans for work in the tanneries. On November 2, 1942, they were deported to the death camp at treblinka . -BIBLIOGRAPHY: Assaf, in: KS, 4 (1925), 307–17; YIVO, Historishe Shriftn, 2 (1937), 579–81; Bachrach, in: YIVO Bletter, 28 (1946), 317–28; Mitteilungen zur juedischen Volkskunde, no. 8 (1901), 162–68; M. and K. Piechotka, Boznice drewniane (1957). (Yehuda Slutsky)