Story Summary:
The First Kozower Sick and Benevolent Society was established in 1892 in New York by immigrants hailing from Kozow (Kozowa), Ukraine. Jewish presence in Kozow dates to the 17th century. Prior to World War II, there were almost 1400 Jews in Kozow. During the early 20th century, the Jews of Kozow engaged in Zionist efforts, establishing different communal branches. In 1909, a Hebrew school was opened. German occupation began on July 3rd, 1941. Its early victims were sent to Belzec. The rest were crowded into a ghetto, where many were killed during its liquidation process in 1943. In 2003, there were a handful of Jewish families residing in Kozow. Their memories live on. ~Blog by Olivia Scanlon
First Kozower S & B
The First Kozower Sick and Benevolent Society was established in 1892 in New York by immigrants hailing from Kozow (Kozowa), Ukraine. Jewish presence in Kozow dates to the 17th century. In an interview with one of its inhabitants, they recall the vibrant marketplace that was active near the center of town. In 1765, there were about 360 Jews in Kozow. This number increased to over 1500 in 1880, and almost 1400 by 1921. An early 20th century fire destroyed the homes of over 300 families, prompting a period of recovery.
In 1909, a Hebrew school opened. During the interwar period (1918-1939), Zionist efforts began. Branches of Revisionist Zionism were established, in addition to the Beitar youth movement. German occupation began on July 3rd, 1941. A pogrom carried out in October of the same year claimed 300 lives. In September 1942, about 1000 people were sent to Belzec concentration camp. Later that same year, the remaining people (about 2000) were crowded into a ghetto. Its inhabitants were killed during the ghetto’s liquidation process in June 1943. In 2003, there were a handful of Jewish families residing in Kozow. Kozow’s Jewish cemetery is located at the end of Narodychivs’ka Street. In November of 2018, the ESJF (European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative) funded the construction of a new concrete fence around the cemetery with metal gates. There are currently 20 graves in the cemetery, the latest burial dating to 1915.
https://medium.com/@azrielimemoirs/the-lost-lives-of-kozowa-e724d179e426
https://www.esjf-cemeteries.org/survey/kozova-jewish-cemetery/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kozova
~Blog by Olivia Scanlon
