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SAVE THE JEWISH CEMETERY IN BESHENKOVICHI

Old Jewish cemetery in Beshenkovichi.

We came to Beshenkovichi almost by chance. My boss is interested in history and is currently writing a book about Melvyn Sabshin, a former chairman of American Psychiatric Association, whose mother originated from Beshenkovichi. Knowing that I was planning a trip around Vitebsk region in Belarus, he requested me to visit Beshenkovichi and make several photographs.

When we drove into Beshenkovichi, we made several photos of the central road and then decided to find an old Jewish cemetery, supposing it would be located somewhere close.

After driving by mistake to the new cemetery, we found out that the old Jewish cemetery was actually located next to the local forestry, not far from a veterinary clinic. A clinic’s employee accompanied us to the cemetery.

Old Jewish cemetery in Beshenkovichi.

The cemetery was located next to the clinic’s backyard. We passed tables with leftover beer bottles and finally saw very well-preserved stone tombs scattered along old pine trees. The man explained to us that the cemetery went about 300 meters farther into the forest.

We were astounded to see the old cemetery practically untouched. We found out later that it actually occupied 3 hectares of land. It could not in any way be compared to other Jewish cemeteries we had seen in the settlements of eastern Belarus.

Old Jewish cemetery in Beshenkovichi.

While walking into the forest we noticed that the tombs were becoming smaller and sank deeper in the ground.

Then we drove to the other end of the cemetery and again saw numerous tombstones, which once again showed how big the place was.

We took several photographs. We did it rather hastily, but the inscriptions can be distinctly seen.

We got into the car and began discussing what could be done to make the cemetery known not only to the older residents of Beshenkovichi. At least there had to be an information board. The best solution, of course, would be cleaning the old tombstones, making pathways and fencing the territory of the cemetery. There should be information about the place, a list of burials etc. Maybe, young Jews living in Belarus could do that. We are hoping to find such people through your newspaper.

A. Avramenko
Moscow
Newspaper “Berega”
October, 2009

Jewish settlements in Vitebsk region

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