The Yiddish-language schools enjoyed complete freedom and equality. Their development and number were dependent only [12a(24)] on the wishes and efforts of the Jewish community.
Lvov had several [Yiddish-language] primary schools and two secondary schools. The college was a Polish–Ukrainian school.
When the Germans arrived, they abolished the secondary schools. The primary schools did not remain open either. Their situation is similar to that of schools in the gubernia.816
Theatre experienced a strong revival under Soviet rule. In the beginning an ensemble of famous Warsaw artists was formed in Lvov (Bodo, Wars,817 and others). The theatre did not have a clearly defined character. St. Aau. was not acquainted with Yiddish theatre.
Jewish religious life, like that of other religions, was not the object of social scrutiny. There was no noticeable campaign against it, nor was the role that religion was to play evident.
The lifestyle of the working population improved. People felt they had prospects and in general were content. Young people saw many opportunities ahead of them and wholeheartedly appreciated the regime even if they themselves had [13(25)] to contend, for the time being, with the hardships of clause 11 or the like. This was the case of St. Aau. and those close to him.
The refugees remained very troubled about the situation of their relatives from whom they were separated. That applied both to those whose relatives who had been deported and to all those who had relatives left behind in the gubernia.
News from the gubernia was the subject of great interest. It arrived very quickly. Even before there was normal postal service, people frequently received news about events at home, both of a private and of a politico-social nature. Even during his travels at the end of 1939, St. Aau. received news from acquaintances about a robbery at his parents’ home on Polna Street. Not knowing yet that such robberies were common, he was very worried about how his parents would manage, so he decided to return and bring them back
