HrubieszowAfter the war, the Jews of Hrubieszow began rebuilding their homes and businesses. The American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) assisted the city’s Jews, and in 1921, a Jewish cooperative association was established in Hrubieszow, providing support such as the purchase of building materials.
By 1925, the city had 5,454 residents, including 2,924 Jews, making up about 54% of the population. The economic situation saw no significant changes, with only a small layer of Jews involved in wholesale trade holding important positions in commerce, agricultural production, and cattle leasing and trade.
The economic crisis in Poland and government taxation policies affected Jews more severely than other population groups. These factors, combined with high unemployment rates, led many Jews to emigrate, mainly to Argentina and Mexico, but also to Palestine.
The economic crisis of 1929, triggered by the Wall Street crash, brought with it anti-Jewish economic policies in Poland and incitement by nationalist and antisemitic groups to boycott Jews. As a result, the economic and social conditions of many Jews deteriorated, and the number of those requiring welfare increased significantly.
During this period, most Jews in Hrubieszow earned their livelihoods through trade and crafts, while some worked as employees in small-scale industries. In 1937, incomplete data indicated that Jews owned several flour mills, a soap factory, a leather processing plant, sawmills, a printing house, and a metal casting factory. Both Jews and non-Jews were employed in these Jewish-owned industries.
Home-based industries in tailoring and shoemaking also developed during this time. In 1937, the city had 372 stores, 333 of which were owned by Jews. Some Jews traded in grains, timber, and furs. The number of professionals in free professions: doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, engineers, and teachers- increased significantly
