Elise Höniger’s rural educational center in Jagniątków

Eliza Höniger’s guesthouse at Agnetendorf 31 (now ul. Kręta 8 in today’s Jagniątków), was notably mentioned in the Kurier Warszawski in 1904. The article stated: “A guesthouse and retreat for vacation relaxation, with separate houses for girls and boys. Girls aged 6-20 and boys up to 14 are accepted. Recommended by doctors, it offers instruction in all school subjects. Admission is open at any time. Brochures are available from the headmistress.”

Historical view of the guesthouse / Source: polska-org.pl

Who was Eliza, or rather Elise? Judith Eliseba Höniger was born into a Jewish family on October 9, 1854, in Zülz, now Biała in the Opole Voivodeship. She was the daughter of David Höniger, a doctor from Rybnik, and Henrietta Jetty (née Fröhlich) from Gliwice (Gleiwitz).

She was the oldest of three siblings, which may have influenced her later career. Her brother Gideon was born in 1858, her sister Sara in 1860, and her youngest brother, Ruben, was born on February 2, 1864, but sadly passed away three months later.

The family moved to Breslau (now Wrocław). In 1887, Elise was listed in the Wrocław address book at Gartenstrasse 9 (now: ul. Piłsudskiego) as a guesthouse manager.

Contemporary view of the building / Photo by Marta Maćkowiak

According to the records of the W. Schimmelpfeng Information Bureau, the complex in Jagniątków was built in the 1890s. The 5-hectare property included buildings, a park garden, and a farm with 4 horses, cattle, and pigs. The guesthouse was a well-known Jewish educational center, renowned for its excellent reputation and high level of teaching. The staff consisted of about 10-12 people.

According to a 1925 guidebook, one of the buildings was used by parents visiting their children.

Advertisements and documents related to the Eliza Höniger guesthouse

Elise Höniger never married or had children and passed away in Jagniątków on April 18, 1915, at the age of 61. She was buried in the Jewish cemetery in Wrocław on Ślężna Street. After her death, the guesthouse was managed by her sister, Sara, and her niece, Frieda. The center continued to operate actively until the war. On August 17, 1942, Sara and Frieda were deported in the first transport for elderly people from Berlin to Theresienstadt, where they were murdered.

Death certificate of Eliza Höniger, transport list containing the names of Sara and Frieda, Frieda’s transport card, and death certificate of Sara / Source: The State Archive in Wrocław, Jelenia Góra branch

Sources:

Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu oddział w Jeleniej Górze (The State Archive in Wrocław, Jelenia Góra branch)

Elise Höniger’s rural educational center in Jagniątków

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