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In 1945, the veil was lifted on the most tragic event in the history of our people. This tragedy saw the destruction of Jewish communities throughout Nazi-occupied Europe. Our loved ones in the towns of Radekhov and Łopatyn, as well as in the surrounding communities were also swept away in this horrific bloody tide. In the aftermath of these events, our first thoughts were that the survivors of this horrible slaughter and hellish Nazi fire endured only to be able to memorialize the dearly departed–the individuals who, to our sorrow, did not live to witness the defeat of the monstrous Nazi regime nor to see the realization of their aspirations, prayers, and visions for a homeland here in the State of Israel.

A few years passed as the efforts to escape the fields of slaughter and immigrate to Israel continued. It was only during the early years of the 1950s that survivors finally set foot on the soil of the homeland. In 1952, we held our first meeting. The primary purpose of that gathering was to honor and remember our beloved martyrs, those who fell victim to the evil and accursed Nazi murderers. We were pained by our delay in fulfilling the commandment and mission of eternal memorialization of our martyrs. It is difficult to articulate the pain and distress that filled the gathering. In the hall, in the space above us, floated the pure souls of our beloved martyrs, urging us to avenge their humiliation. Our thoughts shifted to a place where an empty, haunting void had replaced a generations-old vibrant Jewish community. In discussions, the participants expressed their deep sorrow over the devastating loss that afflicted our families. Memories of the communities where our loved ones lived at various times–both joyous and sorrowful–came flooding back to our minds. We particularly reflected on the last chapter of the generations-long story of the Jews of Radekhov, Łopatyn, and the surrounding area. The haunting images of our beloved martyrs lingered in our minds, their faces shrouded in death's mist and filled with terror as they traveled along the path of suffering and death.

The gathering was opened by our friend Yechiel Menaker z”l, and it was at that meeting that the foundation for the Organization of the Former Residents of Radekhov, Łopatyn and Surrounding Areas was established. Additionally, an initiative to publish a memorial book for the martyrs and plant a grove in their memory was announced. With Yechiel Menaker's passing, the leadership role of organizing and preparing the first gathering gradually shifted to Yaakov Ra'anan, and M. Fisch joined in his efforts. The following annual meetings were held during the first ten days of the month of Tishrei [known as the Days of Awe between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur] in remembrance of the horrible days when the slaughtering of our beloved took place. We came together to honor the memory of those who were tortured, murdered, and slain. We repeatedly reflected on the nightmarish scenes

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of the brutal tortures endured by fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, women, men, and children who burned at the stake, reciting the Shema as they faced their fate. At the annual gatherings, we focused on motivating the participants to prepare the material for publishing the Yizkor book and raising the funds necessary for publication. We recognized that mere commemoration–whether through discussion or reciting the Kaddish prayer with awe and reverence–would not suffice to fulfill our duty no matter how profound the pain and emotions behind these actions might be. We were responsible for collecting fragments of memories and capturing stories from Holocaust survivors along with any thoughts and reflections they wished to share. It was essential for us to present everything properly so that we, along with future generations, may remember what is vital and ensure that these memories are never forgotten.

It was our strong desire to vividly capture the lives of the residents and their communities in this memorial book. We wished to record the diverse lifestyles throughout their existence, right until the very end. This book will serve as a lasting memory–an eternal tribute and Ner Neshama [memorial candle]–to commemorate the lives and deaths of the Jews that resided in these towns and villages.

One tale from the biblical destruction story describes the prophet Jeremiah, the great lamenter, walking along the path of the Judean exiles and seeing the blood-filled trail, as the land was soaked with the blood of martyrs. When he saw the footprints of babies and children, he bent down and kissed them lovingly. On his way back, the picture repeated. Severed fingers and legs were thrown on the ground in the mountains. He collected, hugged, and kissed them–reciting his greatest lament about that hour.

The disaster, destruction, and devastation that had befallen our families placed a heavy burden on our shoulders. We felt a moral obligation and a mental aspiration to follow the great lamenters–those who pity, collect, and embrace every piece of information and detail no matter where it comes from. We strove to repair and edit these fragments with great care, honoring and preserving them with sacred reverence and affection in memory of the Holocaust victims, acknowledging their heroism, suffering, and torture. We were well aware of the challenges involved in this mission. Furthermore, recognizing the importance of the memorialization effort, we were not deterred by any obstacles. We approached the work with a sense of responsibility and reverence. We sent frequent reminders to our friends in Israel and abroad, urging them to participate in this project both in spirit and by providing materials. We understood that we would have to put significant effort into collecting and sorting the materials, and we continuously tracked the progress of our work. Throughout this process, we remained concerned about fundraising, especially as the value of the money we had collected continually decreased in relation to the rising costs of materials and labor.

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We were aware of our limitations for moving forward. Radekhov and the surrounding communities had a small Jewish population compared to other areas. The number of Holocaust survivors was also relatively small. Additionally, the older generations, particularly those who had made Aliyah long before World War II, were few in number. Unlike other memorialization projects, we discovered no “rich uncles” abroad to support us. These conditions were not favorable, especially since natural processes took some of our most dedicated volunteers from us, moving them to a world where all is good. The fact that the workload fell on a tiny group of people significantly affected our progress and caused delays in implementation as well. The Holocaust memorial book for Radekhov, Łopatyn, and the surrounding area is now complete despite all the limitations and obstacles we faced. As we reflect on the book's various sections, we are compelled to revisit harrowing accounts of our community's history. The atrocities of the Holocaust and the devastation it brought are recorded by the few of us who survived the inferno, bearing only the scars of our experiences. Each contributor shares personal memories and reflections from those dreadful days. Life in a typical Jewish shtetl is depicted in this book, even by those who left the killing fields before Hitler's rise, may his name be blotted out, meaning the period of the “good times” when the Gentiles were still “just” anti-Semites, and had not yet come to the point of murder and killing. The book also deals with the lives of the Jews in the villages in the Radekhov district. As such, it is different from many other memorial books.

We want to express our appreciation to all organization members who financially supported this endeavor. A dedicated group of individuals contributed their spirit and energy to the success of this project. First, we must recognize Yechiel Menaker z”l, a central figure who played a crucial role in establishing the organization's foundation and guiding its early steps with his immense skill and enthusiasm. We also want to highlight Zelig Kranz, a longstanding Zionist activist. We had placed our hopes in these individuals for the growth and progress of the organization. Regrettably, they passed away early in the organization's journey.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our member, David Zitzer from Stremil'che, who, during a visit to Israel, was among the first to believe in and support the memorialization effort. His generous contribution provided a foundation for our limited financial resources. Additionally, we want to thank everyone who played a role in bringing this project to life. In particular, we are grateful to author G. Kressel, who, with immense patience, meticulously guided every detail of the book. He contributed valuable material, organized and edited the content, and prepared it for printing.

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We would like to extend special thanks to local native, Professor Dov Sadan, for his contributions to the Yiddish-based material and his beautiful essay that opens this memorial book.

Elazar Wilder from Łopatyn, now a member of Kibbutz Ramat David, played a significant role in the book's publication by collecting and writing much of the material. Despite living in the northern part of the country, he remained actively involved in bringing this project to completion. Our member Yaakov Ra'anan was instrumental in gathering pictures and important documentary materials that reflect the life of Radekhov and add a spirit of authenticity to the book. Finally, we must recognize Meir Fisch, who undertook the primary effort in this endeavor. He dedicated countless days and nights to ensure the book's completion. His unwavering dedication and strong convictions were particularly commendable during times of fatigue in our small camp. He remained steadfast, confident in his purpose, and as strong as a rock. The publication of this book is indeed a fitting reward for his tireless efforts.

From right to left: Zelig Orenstein. Elazar Wilder, Meir Fisch, Yaakov Ra'anan and Yaakov Kremnitzer

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