see the site index a chronological list of the correspondence mentioned below.
The Friends of Jewish Dokshitsy,Inc. e-mail: info@jewishdokshitsy.org website: www.jewishdokshitsy.org
At the end of January, 2006 Joel Alpert,who has created a website about Jewish Dokshitsy, forwarded to me a message from Yuri Dorn, of the Jewish Heritage Research Group in Belarus about a letter from G. N. Portyanko of the District Soviet in Dokshitsy, about the best way to save the remains of the Jewish cemetery in Dokshitsy.
I corresponded with Yuri, who answered my questions, advised me, and supplied some of the pictures on these pages. I was surprised to learn that the memorial at the mass grave across the street in Dokshitsy did not mention Jews, although this is where most of the Jewish victims are buried. Eitan Kremer, of Israel, pointed out that a memorial to the Holocaust victims should be at the site of the mass grave, across the street from the cemetery and that in the cemetery there should be a memorial to the Jewish community as a whole. Eitan also pointed out the need to protect the Shoa site. A proposal was sent to the Dokshitsy administration. We have also been also bee asked to landscape the area around the recently erected Holocaust memorial in Parafianov.
With help from Attorney David Rosenbloom I learned how to create a non-profit organization and "The Friends of Jewish Dokshitsy" was created on September 15, 2006. Here is the organizational document. On October 11, 2006 "The Friends of Jewish Dokshitsy, Inc." was registered as a non-profit Massachusetts corporation. In July 2006, I had learned about "The United States Commission for
the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad," which was established
to help preserve sites of interest to Americans that were behind the iron curtain for so many years. Commissioner Martin Gold arranged for tax-deductible donations to be made to the Commission which will relay them to "The Friends Of Jewish Dokshitsy." If tax-deductibility is not sought, donations may be made directly to "The Friends." Donations should be accompanied by this form This has made it unnecessary to apply for tax-exempt status with the IRS, saving considerable expense and paperwork.
An announcement has been e-mailed to many. It is my hope that the descendants of the residents of Dokshitsy, Parafianov, and nearby villages will support the efforts to respond to G. N. Portyanko request to resolve "this situation in the best way so that all our actions do not seem to be blasphemy regarding the buried and also we would like to correct a mistake that was done many years ago.”
In January, 2007 it was pointed out to me that I should have attempted to reclaim the entire cemetery, rather than part of it as I had initially proposed. I directed my efforts towards this goal. I asked Rabbi Herschel Gluck in London to help, and he diligently brought the subject to the attention of the Belorussian embassy in London. This issue is discussed in a letter I sent to the Dokshitsy government, which I also forwarded to the Belorussian Commission of Religions and Nationalities. In May 2007, I learned fram Rabbi Gluck that assurances were made by Belorussian embassy in London that the cemetery would be preserved in it's entirety. I followed up with another Letter to the Dokshitsy authorities. In retrospect, I realize that the intention was always to preserve the cemetery, but this was far from clear initially.
On November 2, 2007 at my request, Dr. Franklin Swartz, an American resident of Minsk, the capitol of Belarus, visited Dokshitsy, and met with the authorities, including the town's vice-chairman(Mayor) S. M. Demeshka, who had sent the following letter before the meeting was arranged:
Dr Swartz learned that the town had carefully re-erected the tombstones. Assurances were again made that the entire cemetery, most of which is a vacant lot, would be preserved. In addition to building a fence around the entire cemetery, a memorial stone to the Jewish community will be erected, and the site will be beautified with appropriate landscaping. This meeting was a response to Chairman Demshka, and I have also responded in writing.
Since November 2, 2007, I have spent as much time as possible preparing for the dedication. This includes frequent communication with Frank Swartz, Joe Polliack, and other friends and advisers as we complete arrangements for the dedication. In addition to fund-raising, decisions must be made about every step of the project from the design of the fence to the wording on any memorials and the program for the dedication.
On May 23, 2008, I will be in Dokshitsy with my daughter, Joe and Dinah Polliack, a cousin, and hopefully other descendants to join the local residents at the dedication the restored cemetery and to dedicate a memorial that makes clear that the mass grave directly across from the cemetery included most of the Jewish residents. Please help by sending in your contribution. Let me know if you would be interested in joining me at this important occasion or if you have any questions. Much work remains and I am counting on your assistance.
Aaron Ginsburg , President and Treasurer
About the board of directors:
Aaron Ginsburg, President and Treasurer, and Richard Fein, Clerk, each have a parent (who are siblings) born in Dokshitsy. Aaron is a pharmacist who resides in Sharon, Massachusetts, and very interested in his family history, which led to his work in founding "The Friends of Jewish Dokshitsy." Richard works in the placement office at the University of Massachusetts School of Business in Amherst. He his a published author of several books about finding employment, and is very active in his local synagogue. Board member Rochelle G. Ruthchild's grandfather was born in Dokshitsy. Rochelle is a Professor of Graduate Studies, The Union Institute and University. Rochelle visited Dokshitsy in 2002. Board member Noah Horowitz, of Sharon, Massachusetts, is a very active member of Temple Israel in Sharon, as well as of the Temple brotherhood.
I would to thank Attorney David Rosenbloom, Commissioner Martin Gold of The United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, and the Commission itself for their assistance in bringing this project to life. It is also a privilege to work with the other members of the Friend's Board of Directors: Richard Fein, Clerk, Rochelle Ruthchild, and Noah Horowitz.