KERETSKI

KERETSKI:     US Commission No. UA06450101
Alternate names: Kerecke (Yiddish), Kerecki (German), Kerecky (Hungarian), Keregky (Czech), Keretzky (Polish) and Perekrest'ye (English). Keretski is located in Zakarpatskaya at 48º29 23º13, 30 km from Mukachevo and 163 km from Lvov. The cemetery is located at west part of the village. Present town population is 1,000-5,000 with no Jews.
-- Town officials: Major-Grechik Lyubov Petrovna [Phone: (03143) 35822].
-- Regional: officials: Vinogradovsky Regional Department of Culture - Chairman-Goliba I.A. [Phone: (03143) 22774]. Zakarpatsky Oblast Executive Council - Chairman Ustich Sergey Ivanovich [Phone: (03122) 33051]. Zakarpatsky Oblast Administration of Culture - Chairman Gavorets Vasiliy Stepanovich [Phone: (03122) 35373].
-- Jewish Community of Vinogradov -Chairman Rozner Nikolay.
     The earliest known Jewish community was 19th century. 1926 Jewish population (census) was 150. Effecting the Jewish Community were 1918 Zakarpat'ye transfer to Czech and 1944 feportation of Jews to the death camp. The Jewish cemetery was established in 19th century with last known Hasidic burial in 1943. No other towns or villages used this unlandmarked cemetery. The isolated suburban flat land has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a public road, access is open to all. No wall, fence, or gate surrounds site. No stones are visible. Location of any removed tombstones is unknown. The cemetery contains no known mass graves. The municipality owns the site used for kitchen gardens. The graves are disturbed because of agricultural work. Adjacent properties are agricultural and residential. The cemetery boundaries are smaller now than 1939 because of agriculture. Rarely, local residents visit. The cemetery was vandalized during World War II. There is no maintenance. Within the limits of the cemetery are no structures. Vegetation overgrowth is a constant problem, disturbing graves. Very serious threat: uncontrolled access and existing nearby development vegetation.
     Oks Vladimir Moiseevich of 270065, Odessa, Varnenskaya Street 17D, Apt. 52 [Phone: (0482) 665950] visited site on Jul 1995. Rozner N.I. of Vinogradov was interviewed on Jul 1995. Oks completed survey on 04/08/1995. Documentation: Short Jewish Encyclopaedia, vol. 2, Jerusalem 1982; Encyclopaedia Ukraineznavstvo, vol. 1-2, Kiev, 1993. Other documentation exists but was inaccessible.