Novi Velidnyky (Vlednik, Novyye Veledniki, Wieledniki) | Zhytomyr

/ Adam P., born in 1929: “They were brought by car. A German was counting: ‘Eins, zwei, drei und vier, weg!’ He divided them in groups of fives.” ©Victoria Bahr/Yahad-In Unum A witness pointing out to the execution site from the place he had watched it. When he saw a truck arrive, he had been in a pear tree and could see the entire scene. ©Victoria Bahr/Yahad-In Unum Yahad team with a witness at the execution site of 93 Jews. ©Victoria Bahr/Yahad-In Unum Today, Novi Velidnyky is an important stop during pilgrimages, since there is a tombstone of the Rabbi Israel Dov Ber (1789-1850).©Victoria Bahr/Yahad-In Unum The view at the execution site, located in the field. There is a memorial here that does not protect the whole mass grave. ©Victoria Bahr/Yahad-In Unum

Execution of Jews in Novi Velidnyky

1 Execution site(s)

Kind of place before:
Field
Memorials:
Yes
Period of occupation:
1941-1943
Number of victims:
93

Witness interview

Adam P., born in 1929, recounts: “Once, a SS man passed by this road. I was afraid, I was sure he would kill me. He gave me his helmet and said something in German. I understood that he had asked me to pick some pears. I did it. He put the fully ripe pears into his pocket and others he threw away.” (Testimony n°1620, interviewed in Sorokopen, on April 19th, 2013)

Historical note

Novi Velidnyky is located 160 km north of Zhytomyr. The first known record of the Jewish community goes back to the 17th century. In 1897, the Jewish community numbered 659 people and represented half of the total population.  The majority of Jews lived off of handcrafts and small trade. In the early 19thth century, Novi Velidnyky was an important center for Hasidism in Volyn. There were two synagogues. Due to a pogrom carried out in 1917 and the relocation of Jews, its population significantly decreased. In 1924, there were 427 Jews living in the village, comprising 24% of the total population. In the summer of 1941, Novi Velidnyky was occupied by units of the Wehrmacht, butthe majority of the prewar Jews managed to evacuate.

Holocaust by bullets in figures

According to the research findings, all the Jews continued to live in their homes until the execution that took place on October 18th, 1941. On that day, 93 Jews were taken from their homes and brought by truck to the field. According to an eyewitness of the shooting, the Jews were shot fully clothes in groups of fives. The shooting was conducted by the Germans. 

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