Nova Ushytsia is a place of considerable historical significance. In the 19th century, it entered Jewish history through the so-called “Ushytsia Affair,” during which Rabbi Israel Friedman of Ruzhyn was arrested on the orders of Tsar Nicholas I. After his release, he fled to Austria-Hungary, where he went on to establish his Hasidic court in Sadgora. For many years, Nova Ushytsia was a vibrant center of Jewish life, and at its height, Jews comprised more than half of the town’s population.
The Jewish cemetery in Nova Ushytsia was likely established in the late 18th or early 19th century. The oldest identified tombstones date to the mid-19th century, although earlier burials may yet be discovered through further research. Today, approximately 100 matzevot remain at the site, with the most recent dating to 1997.
The Nova Ushytsia Jewish cemetery is now protected by a metal fence installed by the ESJF, with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).
