Bohodukhiv Jewish Cemetery

Cemetery Information

Country
Ukraine
Region
Kharkiv
District
Bohodukhiv
Settlement
Bohodukhiv
Site address
The cemetery site is located on Kosmichna street, 400m east of the large road leading out of the town to the north, on the right hand side.
GPS coordinates
50.17837, 35.51762
Perimeter length
241 metres
Is the cemetery demolished
no
Type and height of existing fence
There is no fence, it is surrounded by a ditch.
Preservation condition
Unfenced Jewish cemetery
General site condition
The cemetery is covered with dense seasonal vegetation. A modern Christian cemetery is now located on the territory of the Jewish cemetery. Muslims are also buried here. The territory is not fenced, however there is a large metal gate at the entrance to the common cemetery territories.
Number of existing gravestones
There are 8 gravestones.
Date of oldest tombstone
1910 (the earliest tombstone found by ESJF).
Date of newest tombstone
1919 (the latest tombstone found by ESJF).
Urgency of erecting a fence
High
Land ownership
Municipality
Preserved construction on site
No
Drone surveys
Yes

Historical overview

The city of Bohodukhiv (Ukr. Богодухів, Rus. Богодухов, Yid. באָהאָדוכאָוו) had a small Jewish community: only 7 Jews lived there in 1868. In 1897, when the total population stood at 11,702, the Jews numbered only 89. The Jewish community is known to have maintained a cemetery in 1910 and a cheder in 1916. During the Civil War of 1918–21, the Jews were attacked in a pogrom. There were 136 Jewish residents in Bohodukhiv in 1939.

After the Germans arrived in October 1941, all the Jews who remained in Bohodukhiv were confined in one building and forced to perform labour. The last 34 or 35 Jews were shot on the 23rd of June 1942.
According to the 2001 census, less than 10 Jews lived in Bohodukhiv and the surrounding areas.

It is likely that the cemetery was established in the early 20th century, as the oldest tombstone dates back to 1910. The cemetery has survived however, it is now mostly used by non-Jews.

3D model