Other holy places

Berdichiv

         Back in the 19th century, Berdichiv had the biggest Jewish population in all of Ukraine – over 50,000 Jews called Berdichiv their home.

           Berdichiv is known around the world as a place where the famous Chassidic Rabbi, Rav Levi Yitzchok miBerdichiv lived and was buried. His grave is visited by thousands of people from around the world.

The Jewish cemetery, where Rabbi Levi Yitzchok is buried, is located at 72 Zhitomirska Street, at the northern end of the city towards the road to Zhitomir. This is the only Jewish cemetery that is preserved to this day. There are around 5,000 graves.

In 1991, with the help of Mr. Nachman Elbaum, the grave of Rav Levi Yitzhchok was restored and a new building was erected over it.

Sadigur

          Sadigur was a shtetl near Chernivtsi. Nowadays, it has become a part of Chernivtsi itself. 

  The famous Ruzhiner Rebbe, founder of Ruzhin Chassidic Dynasty, lived and was buried in Sadigur. Many people come every year to pray at the grave of the Rebbe. They also visit the synagogue where the  Rebbe davened.  

Belz

The Jewish community of Belz dates back to the 14th century. In 1665 Belz Jews were granted equal rights with other residents of the city.

The famous Chassidic master, the first Belzer Rebbe Rav Shalom Rokeach, also known as Sar Sholom. The Belzer Rebbe and his family members were buried in Belz.

Polonne

Polonne town is first mentioned in historical manuscripts of 996. Jews began to settle in Pollonne in the 16th century.

In the Jewish world, Polonne is widely known as a place where famous Jewish leaders and teachers: Rabbi Aryeh Yehuda Leib and Rabbi Yaakov Yoseph Cohen.

Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Cohen (1704 – 1784) was one of the closest disciples of Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidism. He is the author of four important books on Chassidic teaching.

Rabbi Aryeh Yehuda Leib (d. 1770) was a prominent Rav and a Chassid.

Both Rabbis were buried at the local cemetery – their graves are visited by many pilgrims from around the world. 

There is an active synagogue in Polonne.