GORODKOVKA: US Commission No. UA01090101
Gorodkovka is located in Vinnitskaya at 48º23 28º42, 15 km from Krijopol, 101 km from Vinnitsa and 295 km from Odessa. The cemetery is located on the outskirts on the road to the sugar factory. Present town population is 1,000-5,000 with fewer than 10 Jews.
- Town officials: Town Executive Council - Podolyan Nikola NIkolaevich [Phone: (04340) 21463].
- Regional officials: Kruzopolski Regional Executive Council of Chairman-Podolyan NIkola Nikolaevich [Phone: (04340) 21463]. Vinnitski Oblast Council - Melnick Nikola Evtuhovich [Phone: (0432) 327540].
- Kruzopolski Oblast Jewish Community - Rabin Jacob Issacovich [Phone: (04340) 21134]. Vinnitski Oblast Jewish Community - Gubenko Bella Aronovna [Phone: (0432)351666].
- Others: Vinnitski Oblast Cultural Society - Ilchyk Nikola Nikolaevich [Phone: (0432) 325637]
The earliest known Jewish community was 17th century. 1939 Jewish population (census) was 1602. Effected Jewish Community: Pogroms, 1918-1920, Ghetto, 1941-1944, Chmelnitski pogroms in 1648-9 and pogroms of Barskoj Conference in 1768-72. The Jewish cemetery was established in 19th century with last known Hasidic Jewish burial in 1994No other towns or villages used this unlandmarked cemetery. The isolated urban agricultural hillside, between fields and woods, has signs in other languages. Reached by turning directly off a public road, access is open to all. A broken fence with gate that does not lock surrounds site. 501 to 5000 stones, most in original location and between 25%-50% toppled or broken, date from 19th to 20th century. Location of any removed stones is unknown. The cemetery has special sections for men and women. Some tombstones have traces of painting on their surfaces, iron decorations or lettering, portraits on stones and/or metal fences around graves. The cemetery contains no known mass graves. The municipality owns the property used for Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are agricultural and residential. The cemetery boundaries are unchanged since 1939. Local residents visit occasionally. The cemetery was vandalized during World War II and frequently in the last 10 years. The regular caretaker is paid by a local contribution and paid regularly by Jewish survivors. Within the limits of the cemetery are no structures. Cemetery is used to gather firewood and prepare straw. 80% of cemetery is overgrown and inaccessible. At present, the headstones are being smashed. Vegetation is a constant problem, disturbing graves and stones. Water drainage is a seasonal problem. Very serious threat: uncontrolled access and vegetation. Serious threat: vandalism. Moderate threat: weather erosion and pollution. Slight threat: existing nearby development and proposed nearby development.
Oks Vladimir Moiseevich of 270065,Odessa, Varnenskaya Street, 17D, apt. 52 [Phone: (0482) 665950] visited site on 7/4/94. Interviewed were community members. Documentation:
City Populations of the Podol Region Kamenets-Podol, 1905;
Population of towns of the Podol region, Krilov, 1905;
Historical monuments in Podol-Kamanets Region, Gulman 1901;
National Minorities in Ukraine, Register, 1925. Other documentation exists but was inaccessible.
