Domaczewo

Jewish settlement in Domaczewo began in the late 18th century. In 1864 the local Jewish community had one synagogue; by the end of the 19th century there were a number of Jewish prayer houses, most of which were Hassidic ones. In 1897 the Jewish population of the village numbered 1,057 and comprised about 90 percent of the total population. During the interwar period around 1,300 Jews lived in Domaczewo, again accounting for about 90 percent of its total population. Many Jews earned their living as petty merchants or artisans; others provided recreational services, as part of an industry that had developed owing to the village's proximity to the Bug River and its location among pine forests. The Soviets occupied the area in September 1939. The Germans entered the city on June 22, 1941. During the first days of the occupation six Jews were murdered in the center of Domaczewo. There are sources that mention several Jews among thirty local Communist activists who were shot in the town at about the same time. Later, about 30 Jews, apparently men, were shot on the bank of the Western Bug River. SS men periodically came to the village and demanded gold, clothing, goods, or other valuable items from the Jews. In mid-August 1941 a Judenrat and a Jewish Order Service were set up in Domaczewo. The Jews were ordered to wear Star of David armbands, which were replaced in September 1941 by two yellow badges. A sealed ghetto was established on November 1, 1941. Fifteen Jewish children from a local orphanage were put into the ghetto; fourteen of them were shot together with other Jews. Shortly afterward, the ghetto was divided into two sections: a small and a large one. The ghetto was liquidated on September 18 or, according to other sources, on September 20, 1942. About 250 people escaped or went into hiding, but most of them were later caught and murdered. About ten skilled workers were left alive during the major shooting operation but, apparently, were shot later. Several surviving Jews joined the Soviet partisans. Domaczewo was liberated by the Red Army on July 23, 1944.