The second of Lo Tishkach survey reports in Transcarpathia has revealed increasing concern for the state of Jewish burial grounds in the region. Results of surveys in the Mizhhirskyi and Mukachivskyi raions in Zakarpattia oblast in western Ukraine conducted last year show a large proportion of cemeteries in the area unmarked, lacking demarcation and suffering severe neglect.
Published at the end of last month, the surveys show that out of 31 cemeteries visited by Lo Tishkach, 11 were given a “red” grade, our classification for burial grounds which meet none of the Lo Tishkach criteria of identification on site, demarcation or adequate fencing, and maintenance. A further 12 sites were graded “amber”, the classification referring to the absence of at least one of these criteria. Eight cemeteries were graded “green”, meting all the necessary criteria for adequate preservation.
The report on the two raions represents the second Lo Tishkach survey in the region, historically part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The first report in the Uzhorodskyi raion was published last year. A third report on the Perechynskyi, Svaliavskyi, Tiachivskyi, Velykobereznianskyi, and Volovetskyi raions is due for publication in the coming days.
“These cemeteries, dotted around villages in the Carpathian foothills, are the last remaining physical reminder of a rich and vibrant Jewish presence in the area stretching back centuries which was destroyed in the Holocaust,” Lo Tishkach Executive Director Philip Carmel said following the publication of the report.
Most of these places require relatively little work at relatively low cost to bring up to scratch. To find out how to help and receive any or all of our Zakarpattia reports, please contact info@lo-tishkach.org.
