The earliest known reference to the village of Zhabokrych is in 1559 when the Polish king confirmed ownership of a region that includes the village. Jews settled in Zhabokrych in the first half of the eighteenth century. By 1765 there were six Jewish families in the village. Over time, Jews played a significant role in the economic life of Zhabokrych – craftsmen, shoemakers, furriers, carpenters, and blacksmiths, among other economic roles. This all ended in July 1941 with the arrival of German troops and with the establishment of the Romanian occupation.

By the end of that July, Romanian gendarmes had destroyed most of the Zhabokrych Jewish community. The murder of the Jewish population occurred at three sites within the town (see the Holocaust Page for more information). A small number of those Jews who were rounded up and shot were only wounded and managed to escape.

During the inter-war period, the American Relief Association (ARA) provided food under a food program (1921 - 1923). This food assistance was limited to one meal per day; sufficient to prevent starvation, but insufficient for proper nutrition. To maintain adequate nutrition, the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) provided Jewish children's institutions with supplementary food supplies.

A group photo of orphans at the Zhabokrich Jewish Children's house. The orphanage consisted of two rooms located in a private home. It was supported by the Jewish Community and JDC. After May 1923, the JDC was the sole supporter of the children's home. The photo is from the JDC Archive.

Alexander Vishnevetsky, Ph.D., has written a short history, in Russian, of Zhabokrych, Ukraine and nearby towns. Mr. Vishnevetsky can be contacted through the kehilalink sponsor, Marla Waltman, by using the mail link to the left.

Zhabokrych History by Alexander Vishnevetsky, Ph.D.