Krucha

Jews began settling in Krucha in the 19th century. During the early Soviet period most of Krucha's Jews were artisans; others were government officials or worked in agriculture. Later a multi-ethnic kolkhoz called "Tretiy Internatsional," with 11 Jewish families, was established nearby. In the mid-1920s about 300 Jews lived in Krucha, comprising half of the total population. Krucha was occupied by the Germans at the beginning of July 1941. In early October of that year all the Jews who had remained were concentrated in several houses on Kozlinaya Street. On October 10, 1941 they were taken in groups to the forest near the Jewish cemetery and shot. Krucha was liberated by the Red Army on June 27, 1944.