Alternate names: Byeshankovichy [Bel], Beshenkovichi [Rus], Bieszankowicze [Pol], Beshenkowitschi, Beshenkobichy, Bishenkovitz, Bjeschenkowitschi, Besankovicy, Biešankovičy, Belarusian: Бешанковічы. Russian: Бешенковичи. Located at 55°02' N, 29°28' E in Vitebsk Oblast, 109.6 miles NE of Minsk, 31 miles WSW of Vitsyebsk, between Orsha and Lepel. 1900 Jewish population: 3,182. According to a 1897 census, the town's population was 4,423 people, largely a Jewish settlement. In 1900, 3,182 Jewish citizens in 1900 were four fifths Jewish of whom 576 are artisans. The town had a synagogue, many houses of prayer, three benevolent societies, and numerous religious schools. Under Soviet control, Beshenkovichi became an urban settlement and was the center of the raion for several years. It later became part of the Vitebsk oblast. Beshenkovichi fell under German control and was almost entirely destroyed. 10,276 persons from Beshenkovichi and the raion were massacred, including the entire Jewish population. [March 2009]
The unlocked cemetery is a 15-minute walk from the village down a dirt road and a 45-minute drive from Vitebsk. Present town population is 3-4,000 with no Jews. The earliest known Jewish population was in 1600. The pre-WWII Jewish population was 2,800. In 1931, the Jewish community's synagogue and school suffered a fire. Rabbi Avram Yisroel Goldensohn (disciple of Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk) lived there, as did many other rabbis buried in the cemetery established probably about 1700. The last known Orthodox Jewish burial was 1930. No other towns used this cemetery about 4 miles from the congregation. The isolated and slightly hilly forest site has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a public road, access is open to all with no wall, gate, or fence. The pre- and post-WWII size is 8 (?) hectares. Approximately 1000 gravestones exist with 50% not in original location. Vegetation overgrowth is a constant problem damaging stones. Water drainage is a seasonal problem. The granite rough stones or boulders and flat-shaped gravestones with Hebrew inscriptions date from 1711. The unknown owner uses the site as a Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are agricultural. The site is never visited and has no recorded maintenance or vandalism. Source: Dr. David Frey This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ';document.getElementById('cloak2076211dc84816e4e91ec33c0b1d5281').innerHTML += ''+addy_text2076211dc84816e4e91ec33c0b1d5281+'<\/a>'; .
Description and photo of cemetery. [October 2000]
Restoration project [August 2017]