In 1869, as part of the repression after the January Uprising, Konstantynów lost its town rights. At that time, there was probably an independent Jewish community; the first synagogue was built, of which there is no material trace left to this day. At the end of the 19th century, Jews constituted more than half of the inhabitants. Konstantynów was destroyed during World War I.

In the interwar period, there was a mikvah here, and in 1930, there was also a ritual slaughterhouse. The slaughterer was M. Chazanowicz, and the rabbi was J. Szejnkind.

The Description

The Jewish cemetery in Konstantynów is located at Cmentarna street, in the northern part of the town. Its surface area is approx. 0.5 ha.

It was created in the 19th century, and functioned until 1942, when it was devastated by the Germans. The process of devastation probably continued after 1945. Perhaps in the 1990s. it was surrounded by a fence with a hedge planted around it. Currently, only the gate and a plaque have survived from the fence with the inscription: 'Cemetery of the Mosaic faith. Respect the burial place of the deceased', and the boundaries of the necropolis are marked by this unformed hedge.

The original layout of the cemetery is illegible. According to unconfirmed information, in the early 1990s there were approximately 20 tombstones here, but today there is only one, placed near the gate. Perhaps the mentioned number of 20 consisted of some relics visible on the ground, but today they are invisible due to the cemetery area being overgrown with a meadow with tall grass. In the hedge strip there are a large number of stones, but without any obvious signs of tombstones. The cemetery area is easily accessible because a trampled and mowed shortcut between Cmentarna and Sportowa streets runs through its center.

Author of the note: Magda Lucima

Właściciel praw autorskich do opisu: Muzeum Historii Żydów Polskich POLIN.