APPENDIX G
The 1917–1921 pogroms were the worst and most violent acts against the Jews in the 20th century except for the Holocaust. If not overshadowed by the brutality of the Nazis two decades later, this infamous episode in history would not have been nearly forgotten today…”I
Although the Jewish population of Stavishche suffered many casualties, a large majority survived the pogroms by fleeing the country. The estimates of this great Jewish exodus from Stavishche range between 3,500 and 4,000; the majority made their way to the United States, Canada, England, Israel, and Argentina.
It is ironic that the pogroms and the ensuing horror inflicted upon the Jews of the town may have ultimately saved the lives of thousands (including Channa’s family); for if the pogroms didn’t force the people to flee, most would have been murdered during the Holocaust.
On June 29, 1923, while the Caprove and Cutler families were still living in Kishinev, a report on StavishcheII was sent to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in New York, to the attention of the Landsmanschaften Bureau, from its Moscow headquarters. What remained of its Jewish population and their depraved living conditions was reported in the two letters below, discovered in the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Archives, collection # 21/32, file # 504.
Special thanks to Misha Mitsel, JDC (NY) Archives
June 1923 Report on Stavishche, Belaya Tzerkov Ouzarav, Kiev Guberniya
The population of Stavishche before the war was 9,500 persons, of whom 1,245 families were Jews. Now the population is 3,600 persons with 600 Jews. Jewish houses have decreased from 550 to 73 and shops from 200 to 2 and 20 stalls. Of the 73 houses sold to peasants, 12 were returned to Jews and 61 are still occupied by peasants. The remaining Jewish houses were burned down during the pogroms.
The number of pogroms in the town was 10. The results of them are as follows: 160 persons killed and 40 wounded.
In June, July, and August 1919 the town was repeatedly attacked by various bands, and the Jews left it three times for other cities.
In 1922, the refugees began gradually to return to their town and by about October 1922, there were already fifty Jewish families in Stavishche.
The refugees from Stavishche inhabit neighboring places and Kiev, but the majority of them are in Belaya Tserkov.
Only twelve houses are at present occupied by Jews; the latter live in unsanitary conditions, crowded in small rooms.
The three remaining synagogues (there were six formerly) are occupied by returned refugees. Each returning family appropriated a part of the synagogue making partitions and adapting it for living. The remaining population is living in Jewish houses and peasant cottages, paying rent (see attached photographs).III Of the returned refugees only one is constructing a house for himself. In order to improve the living conditions thirty houses must be redeemed.
Children’s institutions: There are in the town one children’s home and one public school. There are, however, no Jewish children in them.
Medical institutions: There exists one district hospital with surgical and therapeutic wards and a dispensary, extending possible relief to the population. Medicaments are furnished by the Belaya Tzerkov Ouzarav and by the ARA. The hospital also has a dental dispensary.
The bathhouse is destroyed.
The population of Stavishche received from the JDC in March 1923, eight food packages that were distributed among seventy-eight families.
BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS
1. School asylum for one hundred children: one-time repairs, equipment, and clothing $500. Monthly maintenance $150.
2. Subvention to the hospital $50 (monthly).
3. Repairs to the bath $200 (one time).
4. Redemption of thirty houses for returning refugees $2,000 (one time). Total (one time) $2,700. Monthly: $200.
Letter of thanks for help rendered: JDC Kiev Division
Herewith, deep gratitude is expressed by the Stavische (Stavishche) population to the Kiev Office of JDC for help rendered; eight food parcels were sent for distribution among the poorest population. This aid could not cover the requirements of the poorest population in Stavishche; the distressing situation of many families now returning to Stavishche is still critical. Living quarters are needed very badly. The greater part of the population lives in anti-sanitary conditions.
There is an acute need for a bathhouse that should be built. We enter a request for improvement of living-quarter conditions since ten people live in one room. Houses of worship have been taken up by the Stavishche inhabitants. Each house shelters from ten to twelve families.
As there are orphans and half orphans it is necessary to organize a children’s sheltering home. We, who have returned to Stavishche, worn out by hunger, cold, and various epidemic diseases that we had gone through in strange parts, can do nothing to contribute to the prosperity of the town. We need outside help. Many refugee families lack the opportunity to return to Stavishche since there are no living accommodations there.
We hope that JDC will take cognizance of the distressing situation of our town, which is on the road of reestablishment, and will render the necessary help. We appeal to you and to our brothers in America for urgent help.
Citizens of the Town Stavishche
1. I. Source: David A. Chapin and Ben Weinstock. The Road From Letichev, Volume 2: The History and Culture of a Forgotten Jewish Community in Eastern Europe. Writer’s Showcase Press, 2000.
2. II. In the English translation of the report and letter, the town was spelled Stavische and Stavishe.
3. III. In the cover letter to the committee, it is indicated that there were additional materials included that the author was not able to locate. These included three photographs, a list of names of orphans in Stavishche, a list of names of half orphans, a list of names of widows, and a list of names of artisans.