The cemetery has existed since at least the mid-18th century, and around 70 gravestones are still preserved there today, with the oldest dating back to the 1750s. The fencing project at the site was funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.
Jews lived in Kupyn from the early 18th century, and possibly even earlier. By the mid-19th century, the Jewish community numbered 923 people, and by 1897 the Jewish population had reached its peak of 1,351. At that time, Jews made up almost the entire population of the town (96.5%).
From the late 19th century onward, Zionist ideas were especially influential in Kupyn. One of the town’s best-known Hebrew teachers was Zalman Malamud, who, according to memoirs, used the “Hebrew in Hebrew” teaching method and made a significant contribution to promoting the language and modern Hebrew education.
The community suffered greatly during the 20th century. In March 1919, a pogrom was carried out by units of the Red Army. Under Soviet rule, the Jewish population gradually declined. Following the occupation of Kupyn by Wehrmacht forces in July 1941, a ghetto was established in the town. In October 1941, 300 Jews were murdered by Ukrainian auxiliary police and buried in a mass grave at the Jewish cemetery. Another 500 Jewish residents were executed in late 1942.
Today, the Jewish cemetery in Kupyn remains an important historical monument and a lasting reminder of the town’s rich Jewish history. Its protection and preservation are not only a matter of respect for the past, but also an important step in safeguarding the cultural identity and historical memory of the community.