THE ROSSASNA CEMETERY

The Rossasna Jewish Cemetery is probably one of the abandoned cemeteries in the worst condition in Belarus. After The War, the wooden fence surrounding the cemetery rotted away, and some of the monuments disappeared, often to reappear as material for the locals to use in the repair of their homes. According to Rossasna locals, about twenty years ago, when a new road and recreation center were built, all the dirt, grass, and stones from the construction site were dumped in the cemetery. Today, the tombstones are covered by a hugh layer of grass. In some places there are obvious signs of vandalism. If not for the help of local residents, my researcher would never have been able to find it.

The people shown in the cemetery photographs (see below) live in Rossasna and are not Jewish. When interviewed, they said that if one day it is decided to restore the cemetery, that we could count on their help. An application to the European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative for restoration has been made, but the ESJF can only choose a very few cemeteries each year. If you would like to get involved in the restoration of the cemetery (clearing brush and trash, resetting the stones, adding fencing, etc.), please contact the webmaster: Judy Petersen.