The PEOPLE
OF
P'YATYHORY
The Jewish population of Piatohor, primarily Hasidim, was never very large, reaching a maximum of 1,385 souls (31.6% of the shtetl's total population) in 1897.1
P'yatyhory had ten Jewish merchants in the late eighteenth century. As the Jewish population grew over the decades, its economic contribution to the town grew in tandem. In the years prior to World War I, P'yatyhory's two pharmacies were owned by Jews as were both of the towns mills and several bakeries. The P'yatyhory Jews were greengrocers and manufacturers.
Along with the Jewish population came Jewish culture and religion. In 1873 the Jewish population had a synagogue, under the guidance of Rabbi Moyshe Lerman and his son Tzvi Itzhak. By the start of World War I, the Jewish population had grown sufficiently to require a second shul and a cemetery.
Be sure to view the photos of P'yatyhorians on the Photos page.
As you explore the narratives and photos of the people of P'yatyhory, please remember that this site has been put together with the personal collections and research of only a few individuals. Your contributions to this site, whether it be family stories, recipes, documents or photographs, will help continue to grow the site and keep it interesting and vibrant to descendants of our P'yatyhory families. If you have an item you are willing to share, corrections or other names to include in the database, please contact the owner.
