Berezna

Berezna is a town in Chernigov oblast, Ukraine. Population in 2011 was 4902 persons.

Beginning

There were no Jews in the town at the beginning of the 19th century.

In 1847 the Jewish community of Berezna had 292 men and 252 women. In 1897, the population of the town numbered 9,922 of whom 1,357 were Jews. The Orthodox Christian population number 8,500.

In Russian Empire Business Directories by 1903 mentioned next Jewish enterpreneurs:
- Butovskiy Samuil Izrailev (grocery)
- Zalmanzon Izrail Aronov (grocery)
- Magilner Toiba Shlemovna (haberdashery)
- Poritskiy Todres Leibov(grain)

After publication of the October Manifesto in 1905, there were progroms on 22, 23 and 24 October. There were no deaths but 10 Jews were wounded and 200 Jewish families robbered. [The October Manifesto issued by Tsar Nicholas promising democratic reforms was opposed by reactionary forces who unleashed their anger on Jews. Translator's note]

In 1919 there was pillaging by Petliura’s [Ukrainian nationalist] forces.

In 1939 there were 211 Jews.

Holocaust

Einsatzgruppe 7B arrived in village at first day of occupation and killed 8 Jews.
In November 5, 1941 there were killed 10 Jews. Most of them were aged people who haven’t managed to hide.
Some Jews tried to escape to another places but were find and killed by local police. Family of Tamara Haimanets (3 people) was find and killed in Begach forest on April 23, 1942.
I haven’t find number of Holocaust victims in Berezna but they were 90% of all killed local inhabitans.

Geneology

In Chernigov Archiv (fond 469) store different lists of Berezna inhabitans from XIX – beginnig of XX century: merchants, conscription lists etc.

Berezna Jewish Cemetery

The cemetery is located on the south-eastern outskirts of the settlement in Lenina Street, near the house № 106. Cemetery was founded in first half of the XIX century.

The cemetery was demolished during WWII, only one tombstone remains. The site is owned by a private individual.

Photo and information was taken from Lo-Tishkah web-site.

Berezna Mass Grave

In Krasnoe cemetery, on the north-western outskirts of the town. There is a memorial at the site.

The memorial is in the shape of a large cross, and there is no inscription mentioning the Jewish victims. The inscription reads: “In the memory of victims of Holodomor (famine of 1932-1933) and political repressions”.

DETAILS OF ACCESS: The mass grave is located in Krasnoe cemetery, on the north-western outskirts of the town.
LOCATION & DEMARCATION: The mass grave site is part of a municipal cemetery, situated in an urban location, on flat land. No road or entrance sign mark the site.
Photo and information was taken from Lo-Tishkah web-site