THE STORY OF A SHTETLE

I like this town. I often used to visit my relatives here when I was a child. There I first heard about a tragedy, which took place more than fifty years ago. The old people were glad that they found someone who would listen to their stories.

The population of the settlement was constituted by Jews, Belarusians, Russians and Ukrainians. In 1874 the population of Kostukovichi constituted 1869 people, with 1196 of them – Jewish.

After settling here, Jews started developing trade and craftsmanship. Three synagogues were built.

In the summer of 1941 fascists occupied Kostukovichi region and established the new order. Life became especially hard for Jews. In September, 1942, the local Jews residents were all assembled. They were told they would be evacuated to Palestine. All of them were shot.

In April, 1943, 169 Jews were shot in the village of Samotevichi. Most of the people that survived during the war, were either in evacuation, or with the partisans.

In the mid-90s only 30 Jews lived in Kostukovichi, most of them pensioners.

Mikhail KEMEROV
“Mishpoha” journal, No. 2, 1996

Jewish settlements in Mogilev region

Mogilev• Antonovka• Batsevichi• Belynichi• Belynkovichi• Bobruisk• Byhov• Chausy• Cherikov• Dashkovka• Dribin• Esmony• Glusk• Golovchin• Gorki• Gory• Grozdianka• Hotimsk• Kirovsk• Klichev• Konohovka• Kostukovichi• Krichev• Krucha• Krugloye• Lenino• Lubonichi• Martinovka• Moliatichi• Mstislavl• Naprasnovka• Osipovichi• Rodnia• Rudkovschina• Samotevichi• Sapezhinka• Selets• Shamovo• Shepelevichi• Shklov• Slavgorod• Staroselie• Sukhari• Svisloch• Vereschaki• Zaverezhie• Zhilichi•