Davyd-Haradok, Belarus (Pages 5-31)

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[Page 3]

With the Book

Translated by Jerrold Landau

O that my head were waters,
And my eyes a fountain of tears,
That I might weep day and night
For the slain of the daughter of my people.

(Jeremiah 8:23)

… And as long as my heart beats
And as long as I do not know why and wherefore
The cause of all that was done –
I cannot forget
I do not want to forget…

David Shimoni (5707 – 1947)

[Page 5]

… And the blood shall pierce the depths
The blood of the murder shall leap
The blood of the child shall return to your cloak
And not be erased forever, forever…

(Ch. N. Bialik – On the Slaughter)

… And the sun shall turn into the stain of your innocent blood
The mark of Cain on the forehead of the world, the sign of failure
Of the broken arm of G-d…

(Ch. N. Bialik – I Knew on the Dark Night)

Introduction

Translated by Norman Helman z”l

In this book we are together with the holy memory of our dear David-Horodok sisters and brothers who were cruelly murdered by the Nazis.

Let this book serve as a holy permanent memorial for the lives that were cut off without mercy. At the same time, let this book be an unforgettable mark of Cain on the brows of those who, like wild beasts, spilled the innocent blood of men, women, children, the aged and the sick – peaceful and defenseless Jews.

* * *

In this book we have aimed an attempt to revive and relive the town's business and work activities as well as to give a picture of the effervescent and sparkling life in all its forms and in all its epochs.

Future generations will find in this book as well as in all memorial books a reflection of Jewish life in the Eastern European Diaspora in the period before the terrible Holocaust.

This book does not pretend to reflect the entire many-sided colorful Jewish life in David-Horodok. In fact, it contains only a small part of the original David-Horodok reality.

Our town was not uniquely different from all other Jewish towns in pre-war Poland but for those who were born in David-Horodok and for those who spent their youth and a great part of their lives there, this town is an inexhaustible source of unforgettable experiences, of memories and stories. What once was, is now gone forever.

* * *

We want to sufficiently emphasize that our town is one of the few communities whose chief murderers amongst the indigenous Byelorussian population, the Horodtchukas, were arrested and imprisoned thanks to the untiring and self-sacrificing efforts of our compatriot Aharon Dov Moravchik.

Fifteen years have passed since the tragic and horrible day of the 17^th of Av. 5701, the day of the mass murder in our town. The wound has not healed nor will it ever be healed.

The only thing that we could do to perpetuate the memory of the martyrs was to write this memorial. Therefore, let this memorial send its heart-rending cry to the heavens for all generations.

This memorial book is a product of collective efforts of our survivors in Israel and the various countries of the Diaspora. The descriptions were written by Jews who never were and do not pretend to be writers. That is the special merit of this book which is an expression of unassuming simplicity.

Congratulations to all in Israel and elsewhere who wrote their recollections, gathered documents and photographs, devoted time, energy and effort, obtained the necessary funds and helped the editors fulfil the holy mission imposed on them.

The Editors

* * *

We extend our gratitude and acknowledge all those who helped us publish the memorial book to commemorate the martyrs of David-Horodok and vicinity.

The David-Horodok Women's Organization of Detroit and Mrs. Anna Grenadier Spielberg who was responsible for a large share of the group's accomplishments.
The David-Horodok Organization of New York and Mr. Yaakov Kitay who accomplished a great deal in gathering material and collecting money for the book.
Our friends Yitzchak Zeldin-Idan, Yosef Lifshitz and Yaakov Mor (Kopel Moravchik) who participated in writing, editing, translating and correcting the book.
All of those who devoted time and effort so that the book could be published.

Let this book be a source of contemplation, both in detail and in general for the entire surviving David-Horodoker family, both in sadness and in suffering.

Let this accomplishment, this book to commemorate the David-Horodoker martyrs, represent a permanent memorial until the last generation.

Committee for David-Horodok and Vicinity in Israel

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