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. remembered: “The pit was dug in advance. Local people were requisitioned to dig the pit. I saw them digging. The pit was large and long. It was just 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 05, 1941, extermination Aktion of Jews from Sverzhen took place. Sverzhen is situated 4 km away from Stolbtsy. About 400 people, women, children and week non fit to work among them, 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 74 km (46 miles) away from Minsk. At that time it was a shtetl where 40% of population was Jews. Traditional activities of local Jewish population were trade and craft art.

Holocaust by bullets in figures

From the field researched Yahad-In Unum could find out that a ghetto was established 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 were carried out by German commando.

Other links

• Read Yahad-In Unum’s report of the research trip in this area

Nearby villages

• Stolbtsy
• Nesvizh

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