Novy Sverzhen | Minsk

Execution of Jews in Novy Sverzhen

1 Execution site(s)

Kind of place before:

Jewish cemetery

Memorials:

Yes

Period of occupation:

1941-1944

Witness interview

Lidia G.: “The pit was dug in advance by requisitioned locals. I saw them digging it. The pit was large and long, in the middle of the Jewish cemetery, along the fence.” (Witness N°454, interviewed in Novy Sverzhen, on May 03, 2011)

German archives

"On November 5, 1941, the extermination Aktion of Jews from Sverzhen took place. Sverzhen is situated 4km away from Stolbtsy. About 400 people, women, children and people deemed unfit to work were killed. The remaining Jews who worked in the sawmill were transferred in a new labor camp.” [From diary of Josef R., 1954; B162-6945, p.116-129 ]

Historical note

The town is situated about 74km (46 miles) away from Minsk. At that time it was a shtetl, with roughly 40% of the population being Jewish. The traditional activities of the local Jewish population was trade and craft art.

Holocaust by bullets in figures

Following information gathered during the Yahad - In Unum field investigation, it could be established that a ghetto was set up near the orthodox church. During the occupation, the Jews were subjected to forced labor at the sawmill. The anti-Jewish Aktion took place in November 1941,  and was carried out by a German Sonderkommando.

Nearby villages

• Stolbtsy
• Nesvizh

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