June 28, 1919 Treaty of Versailles and the Peace Treaty For Poland

Minority Treaties

Protection of Jewish Communities of Poland

Articles 1—8 complete “protection of life and liberty to all inhabitants” regardless of “birth, nationality, language, race or religion” and to guarantee the free exercise of any “creed, religion or belief” not inconsistent with public order or public morals.

Article 9.

Laid down that the “Jewish communities of Poland” could establish educational committees of their own choosing and would receive a share of public funds, while Article 11 guaranteed that the Jewish Sabbath was to be respected and not used as a weapon against the Jews.

Article 11.

Jews shall not be compelled to perform any act which constitutes a violation of their Sabbath nor shall they be placed under any disability by reason of their refusal to attend courts of law or to perform any legal business on their Sabbath. This provision however shall not exempt Jews from such obligations shall be imposed upon all other polish citizens for the necessary purposes of military service, national defense or the preservation of public order. Poland declares her intention to refrain from ordering or permitting elections. Whether general or local, to be held on a Saturday, nor will registration for electoral or other purposes be compelled to be performed on a Saturday.

Source: Treaty of Peace between The United States of America, The British Empire, France, Italy , Japan, and Poland signed at Versailles on June 28^th, 1919 pages 11-13