Alternate names: Krevo [Rus], Krewo [Pol], Kreva [Yid, Bel], Krėva [Lith], Belarusian: Крэва. Russian: Крево. 54°19' N, 26°17' E, 12 miles SSW of Smarhon (Smorgon), 16 miles ESE of Ashmyany (Oshmyany), 23 miles W of Maladzyechna (Molodechno). Prior to WWII, Krevo was located in Oszmiany district, Vilna Province, Poland and before WWII was part of the Russian Empire. In Krevo in 1385, Wladyslaw Jagiello, The Grand Duke of The Lithuanian Principality married Queen of Poland Jadwiga and signed union of two countries, thus establishing Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth of The Two Nations (Rzeczypospolita). town images and links. [March 2009]
Cemetery: The week before Rosh Hashanah, I visited the cemetery in Krewo (Kreve) located east of Oshmiany (about 15 km). The entire area was formerly in the Oblast of Vilna. The village of Krewo is famous for the Fortress of Krewo built in 1385 to commemorate the Unia of Krewo (The unification of Krewo). This treaty united the Lithuanian and the Polish People. The fortress still stands. The synagogue, which is in reasonably good condition, is next to the fortress. The town is also the birthplace of the Millikovsky family. Natan Millikovsky changed his name to Netanyahu after leaving the Vlozhin Yeshiva and immigrating to Palestine. Bibi Netanyahu is his grandson.Upon entering the main road of the rural community past the general store, there is a grouping of houses to the right behind which is a heavily wooded area. The first turn is at a corner of what was known as the Lapuk residence. Go right about one hundred yards down that road. There is a stone wall to the right that is the beginning of the cemetery. The cemetery itself is in a wooded area with a partial clearing that at one time must have been much larger. Many of the stones are between heavy vegetation overgrowth. Vandalism appears to be at a minimum. Certain areas are well preserved, e.g. the burial site of the family of the last chief Rabbi of Krewo.The stones that survive best are the ones not located in the clearing between the two wooded areas. I saw about 150 stones but it is hard to tell what actually survives because the woods require a greater time to do a more formal survey. Among the names we encountered were: Bodonovsky, Lapuk, Milikovsky, Perevosky, Halevi, Hirkovitz, Cohen, Epstein, Rudnik, Schmuelisky,Berman, Delion, Soloduka, Brudno, Palistina, Goler, Koniansky, Skop, Jakbson. Padunober, Likovich, and Lakerman. My special thanks to Regina Kopelovich and the family of Bella Lipkovich without whom this visit would not have been possible. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. [date?]
photo of cemetery gravestones and photo. photo. [February 2010]