MZ-42-O

This is a membership card of the Mizrachi Association in Oswiecim issued to Nathan Gerstner for the year 1934/1935. Mizrachi was the Zionist Orthodox Party, founded in 1902, who emphasized in their program the continuity of the Jewish people despite its dispersion, and demanded the recognition of the Jews’ right to Palestine. They also believed that Jewish nationality was closely connected with Judaism, and that without Judaism the existence of the nation was impossible. According to these beliefs, the future revived state should be based on the principles of Jewish law: “The Land of Israel for the People of Israel, according to the Torah [Law] of Israel.” A local branch of the organization was founded in Oświęcim in 1923, and its leaders included Zalman Fränkel, Israel Reicher, and Baruch Dawid Brenner. In 1933, the Mizrachi association in Oświęcim had 75 members and was one of the more influential political organizations in the city. Mizrachi also had its own small prayer house, which was located at the intersection of Głęboka and Zatorska Streets, in the home of Shaul Hutterer. This place was also the headquarters of the organization. Earlier, Mizrachi members attended the prayer house of the Mewakrim Association