In Ukraine, Jewish Community Marks Tragic Anniversary

Chernovtsy, Ukraine –- A meeting took place in Chernovtsy to commemorate a tragic occasion in local history – the day in World War Two that occupying Fascist troops began to murder Jewish residents of this Ukrainian city. The memorial was held in the Jewish cemetery, the site of the mass murder of thousands of innocent victims.

Organized by the local Organization of Concentration Camp and Ghetto Prisoners, the event involved Chief Rabbi of Chernovtsy Menachem Mendel Glitzenshtein, representatives of all local Jewish organizations, and local Jews. After Rabbi Glitzenshtein said the Kaddish, many spoke with heavy hearts.

“I call on all Jews and the City Administration to unite so that not only this mass murder site, but also the adjacent cemetery, is restored to the condition deserving of those buried here,” stated Iosif Burzyuk, one of the key organizers. Today, the Jewish cemetery of Chernovtsy, which occupies the territory of several squared kilometres, is in derelict condition. The rather small local community is only at capacity to maintain just a few sections of this large territory.

In speaking of the community’s future development, Rabbi Glitzenshtein notes the importance of taking care of the three local cemeteries, along with other significant developments. Within the next year, the community will be opening new educational institutions, including a full-day Jewish school. The city’s historic Synagogue will re-open and serve as the center of Jewish life and Yiddishkeit in the region.