[Page 4]

Introduction to Megilat Kurenitz

Aaron Meirovitch – editor/writer, 1956

Translated by thirteen year old, Talia Bela Levitan

“In honor of my great-grandmother Bela Shulman Gurevitz,
my namesake from whom I am told I inherited my beautiful voice
and for her beloved family who perished in Kurenitz.”

Rooted in the essence of this manuscript is the upcoming tragedy. We must observe rules pertaining to style, pace, and editing. The future horrors control the expressions even in the periods prior to the time of annihilation, even as she flourished during the good old days of youth. The voice has to be controlled. The shades even when light and bright must express a melancholy essence. The typical criticism we assign to literary works must be replaced and our hearts should be filled only with sorrow and pity.

As you can see, the editor's job is difficult. He must embroider the stitches carefully. He must observe and analyze the sentiments, yet keep carefully to the true facts. To chronicle the days of the Holocaust is to acquire a unique set of problems. One must report carefully. Many tend to eulogize, but eulogizing will tell only of the pain. Rather than just the bigger picture, we want to know the little picture, that tells of those days with the little things. The expressions of our brothers, their tears and their shouts. Not in the general but in the particular.

In many letters, meetings, and phone calls, I try to express these concepts. “Do you see these bushes?” says Chaim Itzee while we were taken to Luben, “do you see these bushes?” “Our bones will lie there and there will be no one to bring them to Jewish Burial… we must run, we must escape, but I have no idea where to…” This incident was reported as an unimportant statement. The person reporting it questioned whether it should be reproduced, never thinking that this phrase contains the entire experience of the Holocaust.

In many letters and pleas, we demanded that the residents of our former towns chronicle their memories. We explained that the book is a collective work of art, and the more voice that would be heard, the greater the value of the book. Many of them could have contributed greatly with helpful testaments, but they didn't. Others gave it to us only at the last moments when the book was already being printed, and we did our best to include their stories in this collection.

The most worrisome part was the list of our beloved martyrs. We were extremely concerned with including the name of every martyr. In some cases, their entire families had perished. We knew that some names would be omitted, so we sent letters to all of the former residents in Israel and later to all of the former residents in the USA we could find. There were few replies, and so we gathered all the people we could in Haifa. Most of the people who came were people who left our town after the Holocaust. If we omitted some names we will make an addendum.

We decided to arrange the list according to streets so that the townspeople could recognize their beloved neighbors, the homes, and the streets all as one complete entity. I have to specially thank Yitzhak Zimmerman, who made the list, checked the corrections, and even corrected the list that had been corrected by others.

Israel, 1950, the house of Emma née Alperovitz Zivoni [top row] in Tel Aviv A meeting of Kurenitz natives in regards to publishing a Kurenitz Yizkor book. Top right; Moshe [son of Rashka and Zalman Alperovitz] Middle row right to left; Bela Gurevitz [daughter of Rachel and Aharon Shulman] Batia Bender [daughter of Frada nee Alperovitz and Mordechai Gurevitz] Rivka [daughter of Rachel and Aharon Shulman] Zalman Zivoni [Emmas' husband], David [son of Leib Motosov], Zionist leader; Baruch Zukerman [original last name was Chait] , Mr. Pintov [related to the Shulman family, father of Badana Dori], Alter Zimerman. In the bottom row left; Doba [daughter of Pesia née Kastrol and Michael Alperovitz], next to her is the author; Aharon Meirovitz [son of Perla née Shafer and Ben Zion Meirovitz]

Every letter and a sign of concern were of real encouragement for me, and many did care! But I must specify the names of some of our town natives whose involvement was crucial to our project. First and foremost I must mention our dear respected town native Mr. Baruch Zukerman, who kept in constant touch with me by mail the entire time. His help and support were immense. Not to be forgotten is our shtetl's former resident the honorable Mr. Chaim Peykin and Mr. Ben Glazer of the USA; their more practical concerns made this book a reality. I must mention Shmuel Spektor of the USA who kept a mail connection with me. And last my dear friend, like a brother to me, Israel Gvint. His hand never left my hand and his limitless commitment made this mission much easier to accomplish.

All that I recognized and others that I did not will be blessed. Aharon Meirovitz, 1956.

Leib Yakov Torov, his wife Chaya Frumka and their daughter Sara – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. Their son Moshe-Eliezer perished while hiding in the woods.

Ytzhak Rabonski and his wife Lea – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942 their son Shmuel and their daughter Chaya perished in Velyka.

Mina Fidler daughter of Ytzhak Fidler – perished in Velyka, her brother – perished in unknown.

Chyena (nee Torov) Alperovich, her daughters: Dvushel, Taybel, and Elka. Her son, Yakov – the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942

Ark Alperovich son of Reuven – perished with the fifty-four (Simchat Torah, 1941) he attacked the policemen that were taking him and was killed while running away. His wife, Nehama and daughter, Zelda – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Sheina-Lyba (nee Torov) Charas – perished while hiding in the woods.

Avraham Roytstein, his wife and three children – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Eliezer – Shlomo Shulman, his wife, two sons, one daughter – the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Feybush Shulman, his wife, Henya. Her mother, their son, Chanan, their daughter, Rivka – perished while hid in in the wood.

Aydale Zimerman – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. Yosef Zimerman – perished with the thirty-two, the Jewish month of Adar, 1942.

Eeta Gilberstein – joined the fighters, was renowned for her bravery, was killed while fighting in the woods.

Zev Gilberstein – killed in battle.

Chaim Jokovski, his mother, Pesya – Yente, – perished with the fifty-four, Simchat Torah, 1941. His wife, Shifra, their daughter, – the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Dvushel Jokovsky (Chaim's sister), Kurenitz beloved teacher, her husband and daughter – the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Neta Zimerman, his wife, Elka, their granddaughter – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Yermiyau son of Neta Zimerman, his wife, Chasya – the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. Their son, Shimon – perished while giving back his rifle, the first days the Germans arrived. Their daughters, Chayka and Ettel –perished in Velyka. Elka – perished while hiding in the woods.

Hilel son of Neta Zimerman, his wife, Fraydel – perished while hiding in the woods.

Nechma – Racha Shmukler – perished on the day of slaughter-1942.

Yishayau Shmukler, his wife, their son and daughter – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942

Chaya-Sara Shmukler, her husband Berel and two daughters – perished on the day of slaughter 9-9-1942.

Yosef Zimerman, his daughter, Lea – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942 his son Shimon – the first day the Germans arrived, while giving back a rifle.

Chaim, son of Hevos Alperovich, Shapira, his wife, Marishka nee Zimerman, their son Yakov – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942

Menucha Peykon – perished while hiding in the woods.

Barka Chadash – perished while hiding in the woods; Sara Chadash – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942, Eetka Chadash – perished in Vilyka

Ytzhak Feyglson, his wife, and their grandson, Nisan Rayz – the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942

Moshe – Chaim (Feema) Feyglson – perished unknown, his wife Duba, nee Motosov, their daughters; Miriyam and Sara – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Moshe Alperovich, his daughters, Rashka and Dishka – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. His son, Ytzhak – perished while hiding in the woods. His daughter, Batya – perished unknown.

Lipa Zemushzik, his wife Elka, and four children – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Shlomo Zaif – perished in Shrekovishtzina. His wife Duba and their four children – perished in Vilyka, while hiding another Jewish family.

Menachem – Mendel Kramer – perished with the thirty-two, the Jewish month of Adar, 1942. His wife, Chana and their son Yishayu – perished while hiding in the woods. Their daughter Henya and their sons, Moshke, and Gershon – perished the day of the slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Baruch Kramer – perished with the thirteen, the Jewish month of Shvat, 1942. His wife – perished in Molodechno.

Meir – Shmuel Makler, his wife, Pesya, and their daughter – perished the day of the slaughter, 9-9-1942. Their son, Hilel – perished unknown.

David Ziskand, and two daughters – perished the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. His wife, Nechama and another daughter – perished with the thirty two, the Jewish month of Adar, 1942

Reuven – Zishka Alperovich, his wife, Marke, their son, Avraham – perished while hiding in the woods, their sons Elihu (Elik) and Mordechai (Motik) joined the resistance and perished during a battle.

Meir Shkolnik – perished while hiding in the woods.

Eliezer Roytstein, his wife, their two sons, their one daughter – perished the day of the slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Rivka Zimerman, her son, Chaim – Ytzhak – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Sheyna-Chaya Zimerman, her son – perished with the thirty-two, the Jewish month of Adar, 1942. Her husband – perished unknown.

Nechamka Zimerman, her husband, their child – perished with the thirty-two, the Jewish month of Adar, 1942.

Sara Shulman – perished the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. Her daughter – perished in Vilyka.

Pesach Alperovich, his wife, Rivka, their daughter – perished the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Chana Fridman (nee Torov) – perished while hiding in the woods.

Yoel and his wife – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. Their son – perished unknown.

Avraham-Shimon Torov, his daughter, Sara-Shifra, his grandson – perished the day of slaughter 9-9-1942.

Chaim Ben-Zion Torov, his wife – perished unknown.
Yakov Kramer and his family – perished in the shtetl Svyer.

Yehuda – Leib Dinnerstein, his wife, Sara – perished on the day of slaughter, Yehuda jumped to the fire wearing his talit, before the murderer could kill him. Their son Moshe – perished in Lublin, their son, Yakov, missing.

Avraham blinder, his wife, Bluma, their daughter – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Moshe Taubes – perished in Velyka.

Yakov Taubes and six of his children – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. One son – perished unknown.

Tzvi Alperovich, his sons, Zev, Moshe, and Israel – perished the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. His daughter, Chana, her husband, Mordechai, their daughter, Shifra – perished after the day of slaughter, when there hiding place was found.

Chalvina Torov – perished while hiding in the woods. His wife Rivka-Hinda and their two children – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1042.

Chaim Sotzkover, his wife, Sara Eshka, her mother, Shashe-Reyse, their son – perished on the day of slaughter, Chaim fought the policeman that came to get them, he started choking him, and the other policemen shot him.

Chaim Zirolnik – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. His wife Chaya – Eetka, their daughter, – while hiding in the woods.

Moshe –Benjamin Alperovich, his wife, Malka – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Zalman, son of Moshe –Benjamin Alperovich, his wife, Chana-Tzipa,
their son, Reuven – perished in Vilyka.

Tanchum Zimerman, his daughter, Sara – perished the day of the slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Neta Rodinski, his wife, Riva-Zlata, and their two children – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Shalom Catzovitz, his wife, their two children, his sister – perished in Vileyka.

Ben-Zion, his wife, Sara-Gitel, their two children – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Yecheskel Fridman, his wife, Hinda, three of their children – perished on the day of the slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Beela, wife of Moshe Alperovich, – perished on the day of slaughter. Her daughter, Chaya-Shtirl – perished in Shtzotzin.

Fruma Sosanski, her granddaughter, Chayale – perished on the day of slaughter, the teen-ager, Chayale scratched the faces of her killers, and cursed them, she was tortured.

Mordechai Kuzniatz, his wife, lea, two sons and a daughter, – perished on the day of slaughter ,9-9-1942. One son perished while hiding in the woods.

Yadz'ze Kuzniatz – perished while hiding in the woods. His wife – perished in Dolhinov.

Eliezer Racha – Rasha's – perished on the day of slaughter, his wife and child – perished in Dolhinov.

Ytzhak Zimerman – perished with the thirteen, the Jewish month of Shvat, 1942. His son, Shimshon – perished unknown, Fayga – perished in Vilyka.

Yosef Zimerman, his wife, lea, two children – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Mirka nee Zimerman, her husband and their child – perished in Globoki.

Shmuel Gordon, his wife Chasya, his son, Yakov – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Avraham-Moshe Forman, his wife, Chana, his son, Levi-Ytzhakhis daughters, Lyba and Tzipa – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Chana (nee Gurevitz) wife of Elchanan Alperovich, the (ha katzav) – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Chaim Alperovich, the son of Elchanan and Chana, Marishka, his wife, their baby girl – perished in the woods, when their hide out was found.

Hirshel son of Elchanan Alperovich, his wife Marishka, – perished when they tried to leave their hideout. 9-9-1942

Zusia Benes, his wife –lea – perished by committing suicide and burning down their home on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Mordechai Ziskind – perished while hiding in the woods his sister , Eetka – perished in Velyka.

Chaim Israel Gurevitz, his wife – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. Her daughter, Sonia, her husband and three children – perished in Dolhinov.

The wife of Faybush, the “shochet”, their son and daughter – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. One son – perished while hiding in the woods.

Ysrael Alpervich, his wife, Chaya, their sons Zundel and Yosel, their daughters; Chana and Eetka – perished while hiding in the woods.

Shmaryau, son of Ysrael Alperovich – perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942. His wife and two children – while hiding in the woods.

Yosef Dubin, his wife, Malka, their daughter – perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Gdalyau Kopelovich, his wife, Frayda, their son, Yosef – v perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942. Their son, Tebel perished while hiding in the woods,. Their daughter, Dvosha-perished in Velyka.

Baruch Kopelovich, Frumka, his wife, their two children – perished in Velyka.

Tzipa Ashknazi, her son Avraham – perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Lyba, daughter of Noach, her husband, their son-perished while hiding in the woods,. Their daughter, Shifra – perished in Vilna.

Nechama, wife of Ytza – Michael Alperovich, her daughter, Tzirel – perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942. Her daughter, Lyba – perished in Velyka.

Herzl Alperovich, his two sons – perished while escaping the Velyka camp.

Shmuel – Ytzak Eesak, his wife, Shosha, their daughter, Freydel with her two children, their daughter, Chaya-Racha, her husband, Nachum their two children – perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Eliyhu Eesak, his wife, two girls – perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Feyga Berger [de Lyubiker], her daughter, Chaya, and Chaya's husband – perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Isar Berger, his wife and children perished Dockshitz.

Zev Berger, his wife and children – perished in Smorogon.

Aharon Dinnerstein, – perished while hiding in the woods,. His wife, Ester, their son, Yosef, their daughter, Yenta – perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Mina Berez, daughter of Neta Zimerman and her baby girl – were tortured to death in Velyka.

Nachum Zimerman, his wife Sheya [Neta Zimmerman's' daughter] and their daughter – perished when they tried to run away in Velyka.

Chaim Gvelman, his wife, Gita, their three girls – perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Zisha, daughter of Aba Alperovich – perished with the thirteen, Shvat 1942. Her sister Malka – perished in Troki.

Neta Alperovich [son of Ytzhak-Elchanan], his wife Hayka, their daughter Sima perished on the day of slaughter 9/9/1942, their son Israel and their daughter Yohevet perished in the woods. Their daughter Rivkah perished in Vileyka; Yonah Chayim – her husband, David Yonah perished in Ponar.

Mendel Alperovitz, son of Shimon – perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942. His son Shimon and the son's wife Golda perished in Voloshin.

Ziskint Alperovitz, son of Shimon – his wife Batia Chana, their children Shimon and Yachiel perished while hiding in the woods.

Vellvell Rodinisky – perished with the 54. His son baby Zalman perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Shmoel Cherney – his wife Chana, daughter of Asher Rodinidky and 3 children perished while hiding in the woods.

Shmoel Alperovitz, son of Taybe – his wife Hinda, their son and their daughter perished with the 54 on Simcha Torah, 1941.

Shlomo Mizel – his wife Chana Kaya perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Israel Soliminsky – his wife Esther nee Mizel and 2 children perished with the 32. Their two other children perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Shmuel Mizel – his wife perished in an unknown place.

Henia Gvellman – wife of Zelig and their daughter Faygale perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Meir Gordon – his wife, and 4 daughters perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Yitzhak Tsinstung-his wife Rachel perished in Vileyka. Rachel's sisters Hinda and Chana (with her 2 daughters) perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Leib Charnas – perished in Kribitz. His wife Asna perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Avraham Charnas – his wife Racha Batya perished in Kribitz.

Eliezer Charnas – his family perished in Rochee.

Menachem Charnas – his wife Rachel, their daughter Chaya and their son Moshe perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Daniel Alperovitz, son of Chaim Avraham – caught in the woods and died a painful death. His sister Sertyl perished in Vileyka. His sister Chaya and her family perished in an unknown place.

Menachem Mendel, son of Yecheskel Alperovitz – his wife Gittel and their son Aaron perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Arye Leibchik Fistonovitz – perished in Vileyka. His wife Nacha, daughter of Mendel Alperovitz perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942. Their daughter Nina perished in Vileyka. Their daughter Pesya and sons Yeheskal and Zalman perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Yosef Alperovitz, son of Menachem Mendel – perished in the woods. His wife Leah nee Mizel and their son Shimon motel perished on 9-11-1941.

Rashka Alperovitz nee Gurevich, wife of Zalman, son of Yaheskel – perished in the woods. Her son, Meir perished in Vileyka. Her grandchildren Zalman and Moshe perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942. Her daughter Piya and the daughter's husband Shimshon Rubin and her grandchildren Zalman and Yakov perished in Dolhinov.

Pesia Alperovitz, wife of Moshe, son of Yaheskel – her son Benjamin perished with the 54. Her daughter Rachel with her child perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942. Eliezer, husband of Rachel perished in an unknown place.

Aaron, son of Tzvi Shulman, his wife Frada, and their daughter Chana perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Benjamin “Nyomka” Shulman son of Aaron and Rachel – perished as a partisan while blowing up a German train. Nyomka's grandmother Batia Raizeh perished on the day of slaughter, 9/9/1942.

Yosef Zeev Sandler – his wife Rachel and their daughter Osnat perished the day after the slaughter. They hid in the attic of the synagogue. They were caught and they tied them to a horse and buggy and they pulled them to the graveyard.

Zalman-Mendel, son of Chaykel-Velvel Alperovich, – perished in unknown, his wife, lea-Malka, their sons, Chanoch and Chaykel, their daughter, Rachel, – perished in Poken 9-10-1942.

Mendel Levine – perished with the thirteen, Shvat, 1942. His son, Elimelech, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. His son Chaim, – perished in Velyka.

Yehoshua Limon – perished with the thirteen, the month of Shvat, 1942, his wife, their daughter- – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. His son – perished while hiding in the woods.

Asna Lemon – perished in Kobilanik.

Asher Limon, Chaya-Eshka, his wife, their son, Shlomo, their daughter, Batya, – perished in unknown.

Chana-Rivka, daughter of Asna Limon, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Mordechai – Leib Kopershtuch, his wife, Chana-Ester, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Yosef Kopershtuch, his wife, Rachel, their son, Avrahmel, their daughter, Reyzel – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Zev Kopershtuch – was tortured to death in Velyka. His wife, Shayna, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Shabtai Gordon, his wife, Sonya, their children; Aaron, Zalman, Chaim, Golda – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Rivka, sister of Shabtai Gordon, her husband, Mordechai. Two children, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Nathan, son of Meir Shalom Shulman, his wife, Sara, their daughters, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. Their son Zalman – perished on the way to Velyka.

Tzipa Tzipilevitz, sister of Zalman-Mendel Tzipilevitz – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Pesya Brunstein, wife of Zalman – Asher, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Zalman Shulman, his wife, Rivka – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Yakov Shulman – perished in /unknown his wife and son, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Tzvi Shulman and his wife, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Shneorson (the pharmacist) his wife, their son Liyona, his wife, Riva nee Anzelevich and their daughter, – were murdered ten months after the day of slaughter.

Shmuel Zipelovitz – perished with the thirteen, the Jewish month of Shvat, 1942.

Duba Zipelevitz, wife of Moshe. Her son, Chaim, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Rachel lea Meltzer, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Yakov Sotzkover. His wife, Sara [daughter of Rachel – lea] their sons, Benjamin and Avraham, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Yakov-Mendel Fladsher – perished in Leeda.

Shmuel Gurevitz – perished in unknown, his wife, Henya nee Motosov, their children, Avraham, Ytzhak, Meir, Sara, , – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Chaya [nee Motosoy] Einbinder, her son, Zev. Her daughter, Rachel, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942. Their son Mendel, – killed while walking to Velyka.

Sara Alperovich [Zukerman], – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Bluma Alperovich, wife of Ysrael Munis, her grandchildren, Shifra, Yente, Eesar, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Rivka Alperovich, wife of Reuven Natan Zalmans – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

Tzvi Kopilovitz – perished in Kurenitz, his wife, Feygel, their son, Yakov, their daughter, Lea. – perished while hiding in the woods, Feygel Lea Serls was found alive, she was badly tortured but would not tell that the farmers gave them food.

Zalman Shulman, his wife, Rivka, – perished on the day of slaughter, 9-9-1942.

This is only a partial list. There are six pages that have not yet been translated.

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