Opalin

Jews resided in Opalin from the 17th century. In 1897, under the Russian Empire, they numbered 769 (out of the total population of 1,612). After War World I Opalin was incorporated into the independent Polish state. After September 17, 1939, with the arrival of the Red Army in the town following the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, Opalin became part of Soviet Ukraine. By that time several hundred Jews lived in the town. The Germans captured the town in late June 1941. Shortly afterwards Jews had to wear armbands with the Star of David (replaced in September with yellow patches) on the front and back of their outer clothing. They also had to hand over all their money, gold and other valuables and to perform forced labor, usually in agriculture. At the end of 1941 an open ghetto was set up in Opalin. On October 2, 1942 the ghetto was liquidated when several hundred Jews were shot to death by a German unit at the Jewish cemetery outside of town. Opalin was liberated by the Red Army in July 1944.