Ponornitsa

Jews apparently settled in Ponornitsa in the second half of the 18th century. Ponornitsa was a large trade center at the end of the 19th century. Its four annual trade fairs attracted mercants and artisans, including Jewish ones. In 1939 58 Jews lived in Ponornitsa, where they comprised 1.2 percent of the total population of the town. Ponornitsa was occupied by German troops on August 26, 1941. Due to the lack of a train station and main roads in the area flight was difficult. All the Jews who did not manage to escape were murdered by the Germans. Ponornitsa was liberated by the Red Army on September 18, 1943.