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The Jewish Community of Kapciamiestis

Kapciamiestis

Yiddish: Kopcheve, Kopchava; Polish: Kopciowo; Russian: Koptsiovo

A town in Lithuania

Kapciamiestis is located where the Baltoji Ancia and Nieda Rivers meet. Until the end of World War I Kapciamiestis was known as Kopciowo and located in the Suwalki Province of the Russian Empire. During the interwar period it was part of Lithuania. From 1944 until 1991 it was part of the Soviet Union. Since 1991 Kapciamiestis has been part of independent Lithuania.

The Jewish cemetery began to be restored at the beginning of the 21st century as part of a project initiated by the descendants of former residents of Kapciamiestis. Information about the cemetery and the tombstones was published in 2006 in a book about the town. In 2015 a new fence was constructed around the Jewish cemetery, where a number of tombstones have remained standing.

The local museum in Kapciamiestis includes information about the history of the town's Jewish community.

HISTORY

The Jews of Kapciamiestis worked mostly as traders and craftsmen, though three families worked as farmers. Several Jews traded in lumber, while others owned local factories, including one that produced iron products.

Between the two World Wars, when Kapciamiestis was part of independent Lithuania, about 50 Jewish families lived in the town, which became widely known for its scholars and intellectuals. Children were taught Hebrew in cheder (religious elementary school); there was also a Hebrew public school with a library and drama circle.

Zionism became popular in Kapciamiestis during the interwar period. The most popular Zionist youth movement was HeHalutz.

Nearly 200 Jews lived in Kapciamiestis on the eve of World War II. The community's last rabbi was Menachem Mendel Sher.

Among the prominent figures from Kapciamiestis was the historian Rabbi Elhana (Edward) Kalman (1891-1939).

THE HOLOCAUST

After the outbreak of World War II on September 1, 1939, Lithuania came under Soviet rule; at the end of the summer of 1940 it was annexed by the Soviet Union. The Germans occupied Kapciamiestis on June 22, 1941, after the alliance between the Soviet Union and the Germans was broken. During the occupation, a small number of Jews managed to escape to the Soviet Union. Those who remained soon fell victim to nationalist Lithuanians who, upon taking control of the town, looted Jewish property, drove the local Jews into forced labor, and killed many of the town's Jewish residents.

On September 15, 1941 the Jews of Kapciamiestis were sent to the town of Lazdijai, where a ghetto had been established. They were murdered on November 3, 1941 together with the Jews of Lazdijai and the surrounding towns.

POSTWAR

After the war, a monument was erected on the mass grave in Lazdijai. Jewish life was not revived in Kapciamiestis.

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The Jewish Community of Kapciamiestis

Kapciamiestis

Yiddish: Kopcheve, Kopchava; Polish: Kopciowo; Russian: Koptsiovo

A town in Lithuania

Kapciamiestis is located where the Baltoji Ancia and Nieda Rivers meet. Until the end of World War I Kapciamiestis was known as Kopciowo and located in the Suwalki Province of the Russian Empire. During the interwar period it was part of Lithuania. From 1944 until 1991 it was part of the Soviet Union. Since 1991 Kapciamiestis has been part of independent Lithuania.

The Jewish cemetery began to be restored at the beginning of the 21st century as part of a project initiated by the descendants of former residents of Kapciamiestis. Information about the cemetery and the tombstones was published in 2006 in a book about the town. In 2015 a new fence was constructed around the Jewish cemetery, where a number of tombstones have remained standing.

The local museum in Kapciamiestis includes information about the history of the town's Jewish community.

HISTORY

The Jews of Kapciamiestis worked mostly as traders and craftsmen, though three families worked as farmers. Several Jews traded in lumber, while others owned local factories, including one that produced iron products.

Between the two World Wars, when Kapciamiestis was part of independent Lithuania, about 50 Jewish families lived in the town, which became widely known for its scholars and intellectuals. Children were taught Hebrew in cheder (religious elementary school); there was also a Hebrew public school with a library and drama circle.

Zionism became popular in Kapciamiestis during the interwar period. The most popular Zionist youth movement was HeHalutz.

Nearly 200 Jews lived in Kapciamiestis on the eve of World War II. The community's last rabbi was Menachem Mendel Sher.

Among the prominent figures from Kapciamiestis was the historian Rabbi Elhana (Edward) Kalman (1891-1939).

THE HOLOCAUST

After the outbreak of World War II on September 1, 1939, Lithuania came under Soviet rule; at the end of the summer of 1940 it was annexed by the Soviet Union. The Germans occupied Kapciamiestis on June 22, 1941, after the alliance between the Soviet Union and the Germans was broken. During the occupation, a small number of Jews managed to escape to the Soviet Union. Those who remained soon fell victim to nationalist Lithuanians who, upon taking control of the town, looted Jewish property, drove the local Jews into forced labor, and killed many of the town's Jewish residents.

On September 15, 1941 the Jews of Kapciamiestis were sent to the town of Lazdijai, where a ghetto had been established. They were murdered on November 3, 1941 together with the Jews of Lazdijai and the surrounding towns.

POSTWAR

After the war, a monument was erected on the mass grave in Lazdijai. Jewish life was not revived in Kapciamiestis.

Written by researchers of ANU Museum of the Jewish People