As in the rest of occupied Poland, the German authorities launched a campaign of unprecedented terror and violence in Těšín. One of the main victims was the Jewish population. Almost immediately, all Jewish communities were banned, replaced by Nazi-appointed Jewish Councils of Elders (Judenräte). These were responsible for enforcing German anti-Jewish regulations, although they tried to support the weakest members of the community and to maintain social care for the sick, the elderly and children.
By the end of September 1939, two of the main synagogues in Český Těšín had been burned down.
From 1 January 1940, all Jews over the age of 10 had to wear a white armband with a blue Jewish star on the left arm. From 26 March 1940, a night curfew and other restrictions were in force for those so marked.