International Jewish Cemetery Project
International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies

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Alternate names: Kuršėnai [Lith], Kurshan [Yid], Kurshany [Rus], Kurszany [Pol], Kuršēni [Latv], Kurschenen [Ger], Kurshenay, Kurshchenay, Kuržėnų, Koršienā, Russian: Куршаны. קורשאַן-Yiddish. 56°00' N, 22°56' E, 16 miles WNW of Šiauliai (Shavl). 1900 Jewish population: 1,542. [March 2009]

CEMETERY: There had been a cemetery covering the two opposite slopes of a valley. All that remains are a half dozen tombstones and the standard memorial plaque at the top of one of the slopes. Source: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HOLOCAUST: At the beginning of July, all the Jews were relocated to one neighbour­hood in Zagare, which was declared a ghetto and cordoned off by an unguarded barbed wire fence. Surviving Jews were brought to Zagare from Kursenai, Papile, Tryskiai, Joniskis, Zeimelis, Kriukai, Radviliskis, Saukenai, Kelme, Tirksliai, Krakes, Joniskelis, Linkuva, Pakruojis, Laukuvas, Lygumai and other places. A total of seven thousand Jews were gathered in the ghetto during this period. [March 2009]