Rodnya

Jews began living in Rodnya in the mid-19th century. In 1923 they numbered 367. Most of the Jews worked in commerce; others - in agriculture. In 1918-1919 the first Jewish agricultural cooperatives, "Rosa Luxemburg" and "Progress," were established near Rodnya. At the end of the 1930s there was a Jewish kolkhoz, "Emes," consisting of 15 households. During the Soviet period many Jews left Rodnya. Rodnya was occupied by the Germans on August 10, 1941. Only a few Jews suceeded in escaping: most of those who attempted to flee were forced to return home. On the night of December 10 (17, according to other sources), 1941 all the remaining Jews of Rodnya, about 50 people, were shot at the village's Jewish cemetery. Only several Jews, including two young women, succeeded in escaping the massacre and, later, in joining the partisans. Rodnya was liberated by the Red Army on September 28, 1943.