A remarkable event took place in our Hesed-Besht Foundation: the presentation of the literary and publicistic collection, “Shtetl” No. 7. Scientists, historians, clergymen, employees of museums, libraries, etc., took part in the round table event on this occasion.

“Shtetl” No. 7 was released in memory of the Proskurov Jewish pogrom of 1919, during which about 1,600 people were killed. For what reason? But what just do not blame the Jews! They personified the bourgeoisie, and the perpetrators of the devastation, and the socialists who rebelled against the government of the Directory. But we know for sure that they were absolutely peaceful people, the Jewish poorest: basically, ordinary artisans who were definitely not involved in politics, women, old people, children and even little kids!

In the “Shtetl” No. 7, a lot of historical documents related to the pogrom were collected, lists of those who died at the hands of savages, lists of the wounded who turned to hospitals and dressing stations for help, and information on many other facts were published. This publication will be useful to everyone who wants to know the true history of their native land. This collection is a tribute to our respect, a tribute to the blessed memory of the innocently destroyed people.

We note with satisfaction that the scientists and historians of Khmelnitsky continue to study that bitter bloody drama. We’ve heard a lot of new things from candidates of historical sciences Iaroslav Mikhailovsky, Alexei Zhurko, the activist of the Jewish religious community Semyon Milman, and other participants in the round table.
The suggestions were made to organize more meetings with youth at schools and libraries on this topic, to return to the study of Jewish pogroms from the time of Bogdan Khmelnitsky, to turn to the city authorities with a proposal to perpetuate the names of those worthy people who were not afraid to declare their strong protest to the actions of the pogromists (name in our city by their names streets, alleys, squares, parks, etc.)

Comment of Alexei Zhurko: The exchange of views at the round table regarding the Proskurov pogrom turned out to be interesting and useful for all its participants. We, historians, are most concerned about documenting the problem and, of course, expanding the circle of researchers, new publications, especially European and American historians. We want to know why such a tragic event happened precisely in Proskurov and Felshtin, and not somewhere else, what were the reasons and motives that prompted the Haidamaks to ruthless massacre of ordinary people in our city. I think that the next in line in the future will be just a scientific digest on this issue.

Compiled by the information department of the Hesed Besht HBF

This is a link to an additional list which appears in another publication on the 100th Anniversary of the Pogrom.