Dunilowicze

In the first half of the 19th century hundreds of Jews lived in Duniłowicze. By the end of the century the number rose to more than 1,500 or 86 percent of the total population. During World War I the Germans occupied the town for three years. Afterwards, it was alternatively controlled by the Bolsheviks and the Poles. The war and changes of regime severely affected the town’s economy: stores lacked stock and craftsmen lacked work due to the impoverishment of the residents. In September 1920, when the Jewish population of the town amounted to about 700 (or almost half of the residents) Duniłowicze came under Polish rule. The economic situation of the local Jews became more difficult due to the high taxes imposed on businessmen, who were largely Jews, and due to the boycott against the Jews that was supported by Polish antisemites. Later the Jewish population of the town increased slightly. Until the outbreak of World War II there was considerable Jewish public activity, including by political parties of various orientations, as well as wide-ranging cultural and educational activity. On September 17, 1939 the Red Army entered Duniłowicze and established Soviet rule there. Private enterprises were nationalized, independent political activity was banned, and Hebrew cultural and educational institutions were closed. The Germans occupied Duniłowicze on July 3, 1941. In early 1942 the local Jews were ordered to move to a ghetto that was set up there. Between November 21 and 23, 1942 the ghetto was liquidated. The majority of its inmates were shot. Those who had hidden in bunkers were killed by hand grenades, while others were burned to death in houses in the ghetto. At that time a total of 812 (or, according to another source, 979) Jews from Duniłowicze were murdered. Duniłowicze was liberated by the Red Army in the summer of 1944.