Staroselye

Jewish residence in Staroselye dates to the third quarter of the 17th century. At the end of the 19th century 867 Jews lived in Staroselye, comprising 84 percent of the total population. In 1913 a court of the Staroselye branch of the Habad Hasidim was established in the town. Under Soviet rule many Staroselye Jews continued to work as artisans or as merchants, while others worked in agriculture. The relations between Jewish and non-Jewish farmers were often tense. In 1923 Staroselye's 512 Jews comprised 42 percent of the population. Staroselye and the surrounding area were occupied in August 1941. The Jews of Staroselye were murdered by Germans in murder operations that took place in the summer of 1941 and the winter of 1941/1942 at three sites located close to the town. Staroselye was liberated by the Red Army on June 30, 1944.