In 1801, 5 Jewish families lived in Dębno. Half a century later, the Jewish community numbered 54 people, accounting for only 0.6% of the total population. The community of Dębno remained small. In 1871, it reached a record number of 71 Jews; in the following years, it only decreased.

The Description

We have no information on when the community in Debno established its burial ground. This probably happened in the 19th century. The cemetery was established in the southwestern part of the town, on a slight hill. Its location is shown on German archival maps from 1891 and 1934. It is now located on a dirt road, 300 m west of the junction of Kostrzyńska and Dargomyska Streets (Polish: ul. Kostrzyńska, Dargomyska).

During the "Kristallnacht" of 9-10 November 1938, the Jewish cemetery in Debno was devastated. It deteriorated after World War II, was overgrown with vegetation, and the tombstones were stolen. In 1995, the inhabitants of Dębno came up with an initiative to clean up the cemetery, supported by the municipal authorities.

The relics of the fence in the form of brick posts have survived, but the location is most helped by the tall ash and acacia trees growing around the necropolis area. A plaque by the roadside also informs about the cemetery. Two complete matzevot, three fragments of matzevot and three tombstones, have been preserved on the site. Also outside its area are stone fragments of gravestones, probably displaced. Since 2009, the cemetery has been owned by the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland.

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