FARNA: US Commission No. SLCE000320
Farna is located in Levice, E of Nove Zamky. Last known Jewish
burial was in 1934. The flat urban location, with no sign or
marker, is part of a municipal cemetery. Reached by turning
directly off a public road, access is open to all via a fence and
non-locking gate. Present size of the cemetery is 10x25 meters.
1-20 marble and other materials 19th-20th century tombstones in
original locations are flat shaped tombstones or double
tombstones with Hebrew and Hungarian inscriptions. The site is
Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are residential and
cemetery. Occasionally, private visitors stop. Individuals clear
or clean occasionally. No threats.
FEDVERNEK: (Slovakian) see Zbrojniky
FELSOFEGYVERNEK: (Hungarian) see Zbrojniky
FILAKOVO: US Commission No. SLCE000121
Filakovo is located E of Lucenec. The flat urban isolated
location has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a
public road, access is open to all via a broken masonry wall and
no gate. There are 100-500 marble, granite, limestone, and
sandstone and other materials 19th-20th century gravestones in
original locations. The flat shaped tombstones and finely
smoothed Hebrew, German, and Hungarian inscribed stones. The
cemetery is divided into a separate section for women who died
during childbirth. Site is now used for Jewish cemetery and
agriculture. Adjacent properties are residential. Occasionally,
private visitors stop. There is occasional clearing by
individuals. No threats except slight weather erosion.
GABCIKOVO: US Commission No. SLCE000301
Gabcikovo is located in Dunajska Streda, SE of Bratislava.
Person with key to cemetery is on Vinohradnicka St. Last known
Jewish burial was in 1943. The isolated flat suburban location,
by water, has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off
a public road, access is open to all via a fence and non-locking
gate. Present size of the cemetery is 5x20 meters. 20-100 marble,
granite, and other materials 19th-20th century tombstones, in
original locations, are flat shaped tombstones or finely smoothed
with Hebrew and Hungarian inscriptions. The site is used for
Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are agricultural and
residential. Compared to 1939, the cemetery is smaller due to
housing development and agriculture. Occasionally, private
visitors stop. Restoration: re-erection of stones, patching
broken stones, and cleaning stones. The cemetery has a regular
caretaker. Within the cemetery limits is a tomb. No threats.
GABOLTO:
Near Bardejov in Saros County, Gabolto's Jewish cemetery is overgrown with brush and trees that hide many of the monuments. Meyer Spira of nearby Bardejov, the only Jew remaining in the area, lists himself as the caretaker of both cemeteries. As far as I can see, Mr. Spira has done nothing in Gabolto and very little in Bardejov, perhaps due to his advanced ago (80s.) He says he has the grass mowed twice a year. Keeping the fence surrounding the Bardejov cemetery is all that he can be done by him.
The cemetery is not visible from the road. The mayor's brother led me there. He is a developer/builder, who offered to clean up the site for, I believe, $20,000 U.S., an investment probably not to be made without some security/bond that the work would be done.
I did not count the number of graves, but I feel that there is a significant number of people buried there. Source: Stanley Finkelstein, Farmington
Hills, Michigan 48334, sfinkels2@juno.com [November 2002]
GALANTA: US Commission No. SLCE000358
Galanta is located E of Bratislava. The isolated flat suburban
location has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a
public road, access is open with permission via a continuous
masonry wall and locking gate. The approximate size of cemetery
is now 100x200 meters. 500-5000 marble and granite 18th to 20th
century stones, most in original location, are flat shaped
stones, finely smoothed and inscribed stones or double tombstones
with Hebrew, German and Hungarian inscriptions. Some tombstones
have metal fences around graves. Within the limits of the
cemetery is a pre-burial house. The local Jewish community owns
the property used as Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties
are commercial or industrial and residential. Cemetery boundaries
are unchanged since 1939. Private visitors visit frequently. Now,
there is regular caretaker.
GALGOC: see HLOHOVEC
GELNICA: US Commission No. SLCE000051
Gelnica is located E of Spisska Nova Ves. The isolated suburban
hillside has no sign or marker. Reached by crossing a public
field, access is open to all with no wall or gate the one 19th
marble century flat shaped gravestone with Hebrew inscription in
original location. Site is used for waste dump or abandoned
[unclear]. Adjacent properties are agricultural. Private
individuals visit rarely. Pollution is a moderate threat;
vandalism a very serious threat; and vegetation is a minor
threat.
GEMER: US Commission No. SLCE000101
Gemer is located NE of Rimavska Sobota. The suburban hillside,
part of a municipal cemetery, has no sign or marker. Reached by
turning directly off a public road, access is open to all via a
broken fence and no gate. Four marble 20th century tombstones, in
original locations, are flat shaped tombstones with Hebrew
inscriptions. Site is now used for waste dump or abandoned
[unclear]. Adjacent properties are agricultural and cemetery.
Private visitors stop rarely. No threats.
GEMERCEK: US Comm. No. SLCE000120
Gemercek is located S of Rimavska Sobota. The suburban hillside,
separate but near other cemeteries, has no sign or marker.
Reached by crossing a cemetery access is open to all with no wall
or gate. 3 limestone 19th century tombstones in original location
are flat shaped tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions. Adjacent
properties are cemeteries. Private visitors stop rarely. No
threats.
GIRALTOVCE: US Commission No. SLCE000030
Giraltovce is located in Bardejov, S of Svidnik. The isolated
urban hillside has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly
off a public road, access is open to all with no wall or gate.
20-100 marble, granite, and sandstone 19th-20th century
tombstones, in original locations, are flat shaped tombstones
with Hebrew inscriptions. Adjacent properties are agricultural
and recreational. Site is now used for waste dump or abandoned
[unclear]. Adjacent property is comercial and agricultural.
Occasionally, private visitors stop. Vegetation and erosion are
slight threats.
http://www.isragen.org.il/lana/giraltovce.htm
[October 2000]
GOLIANOVO: US Commission No. SLCE000263
Golianovo is located E of Nitra. The suburban hillside, separate
but near other cemeteries, has no sign or marker. Reached by
turning directly off a public road, access is open to all with no
walls or gate. 1-20 marble and sandstone flat shaped 19th-20th
century tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions, are all in original
locations. The property is used for a garden and waste dump or
abandoned [unclear]. Adjacent properties are agricultural.
Private visitors stop rarely. Erosion is a moderate threat;
vegetation and vandalism are serious threats. Vegetation is a
constant problem disturbing graves.
GROSS LOMNITZ: see Huncovce
GROSS-RIPPEN: (German) see Velke Ripnany
HALIC: US Commission No. SLCE000130
Halic is located W of Lucenec. The suburban hillside, separate
but near other cemeteries, has no sign or marker. Reached by
turning off a public road, access is open to all with no walls or
gate. 20-100 marble and granite 19th-20th century tombstones, in
original location, are flat shaped tombstones with Hebrew
inscriptions. Adjacent properties are agricultural. Private
citizens visit rarely. Pollution and vegetation (disturbing
stones and graves) are moderate threats; vandalism is a serious
threat.
HANUSOVCE NAD TOPLOU: US Commission No. SLCE000029
Hanusovce nad Toplou is NW of Vranov. The isolated urban
hillside has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a
public road, access is open to all via a broken masonry wall
without gate. 20-100 marble, granite, sandstone, and other
materials 19th-20th century tombstones, in original locations,
are flat shaped finely smoothed Hebrew and German inscribed
tombstones. The property is used for waste dump (or abandoned
[unclear]). Adjacent properties are agricultural and residential.
Private visitors arrive occasionally. There is no care or
maintenance. Pollution is a serious threat; vegetation and
vandalism are moderate threats.
HAVAJ: used the cemetery at Tisinec.
HLINIK NAD VAHOM: US Commission No. SLCE000206
Hlinik nad Vahom is located W of Zilina. The isolated wooded
hillside has no sign or maker. Reached by turning directly off a
public road, access is open to all via fence and non-locking
gate. 100-500 marble, granite, and sandstone 19th-20th century
tombstones, in original locations, are flat shaped stones, finely
smoothed and inscribed stones, or multi-stone monuments
(monumental tomb as antique temple) with Hebrew and German
inscriptions. Some with metal fences around graves. The site is
Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are roads and forest.
Occasionally, private visitors stop. Individuals occasionally
clean or clear vegetation. Within the cemetery is a monument tomb
as antique temple. Vandalism is a serious threat. Weather erosion
a minor threat.
HLOHOVEC: US Commission No. SLCE000231
Hlohovec is located NE of Trnava. The person with the key to
cemetery is Mrs. Hornova, SNP St. 21/D, Hlohovec, Mr. Gluck. The
urban hillside, separate but near other cemeteries, has no sign
or marker. Reached by turning directly off a public road, access
is open to all via a masonry wall and locking gate. 100-500
marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, and other materials
19th-20th century tombstones in original locations, are flat
shaped tombstones (some with carved relief decorations), finely
smoothed and inscribed stones, double tombstones, or multi-stone
monuments with Hebrew and German inscriptions. Some have metal
fences around graves. The local Jewish community owns the
cemetery property. Adjacent properties are residential and
another cemetery. Private visitors visit frequently. Restoration:
re-erection of stones, cleaning stones, clearing vegetation, and
fixing of walls and gate. A regular caretaker cares for the
cemetery. Within the cemetery are a pre-burial house and a tomb.
No threats.
Alternate names: Galgoc in Hungarian, "Frastak" in Slovak,
and "Freistadt" in German. The agricultural area grew wheat,
barley, beets, and sugar. Hlohovec was a railroad junction, and
also had woodworking and and distilling factories. Its former
fortress of Leopoldov has been converted into a penitentiary. At
http://allstates-flag.com/fotw/flags/sk-hloho.html
, a flag and coat of arms for the town is shown and the site
notes that it is a town of about 18,00O, located in the
Zapadoslovensky province, 30 miles south of Piestany. http://www.ta3.sk/hvezdarne/hlohovec
indicates that there is an observatory in Hlohovec. A map showing
Hlohovec's location and a text about the fate of the town's Jews
can be found at http://motlc.wiesenthal.com/pages/t030/t03031.html
. The text says that the Jewish community has been reestablished
to some extent. Another Hlohovec site indicates the existence of
a tissue paper manufacturing company. Naomi Fatouros (nee
Feldman), Bloomington, Indiana, NFatouros@aol.com . [October
2000-JewishGen Digest]
Galgóc (Hlohvec) is a small village in Slovakia
(Nyitra County). The Jewish community goes back about 200 years.
Jews moved there from Moravia. They were corn and wine merchants.
The first rabbi was R. Mordechai who lived in the village around
1730. In the 1870s the community broke into two; orthodox and
ultra-orthodox. They reunited ten years later. Dr. Peter I. Hidas
thidas@sympatico.ca or
peterhidas@yahoo.com .
[18 Oct 2000 on JewishGen Digest]
HNIEZDNE: US Commission No. SLCE000064
Hniezdne is located W of Stara Lubovna. The isolated
rural/agricultural hillside has no sign or marker. Reached by
crossing a country lane, access is open to all with no wall or
gate. 1-20 limestone 19th-20th century gravestones, in original
locations, are flat shaped tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions.
Site is used for waste dump or abandoned [unclear]. Adjacent
properties are agricultural. Private visitors stop rarely.
Vandalism is a moderate threat. Vegetation is a constant problem.
HNUSTA: US Commission No. SLCE000125
Hnusta is located N of Rimavska Sobota. The suburban hillside,
part of a municipal cemetery, has no sign or marker. Reached by
turning directly off a public road, access is open to all with no
wall or gate. 1-20 marble, granite, and other materials 19th-20th
century tombstones, in original locations, are flat shaped finely
smoothed Hebrew and German inscribed tombstones. The property is
used for waste dump or abandoned [unclear]. Properties adjacent
are other cemeteries. Private visitors arrive occasionally.
Pollution and vegetation are moderate threats. Nearby development
is a slight threat.
HODEJOV: US Commission No. SLCE000119
Hodejov is located __ town of Rimavska Sobota. The suburban
hillside, part of a municipal cemetery, has no sign or marker.
Reached by turning directly off a public road, access is open to
all via a fence and a locking gate. 1-20 19th-20th marble and
granite century tombstones, in original locations, are flat
shaped tombstones or finely smoothed and inscribed stones with
Hebrew and German inscriptions. Private visitors arrive rarely.
Vegetation and vandalism are moderate threats.
HOLIC: US Commission No. SLCE000153
See books in introduction. Holic is located in Senica, SE of
Hodonin. The isolated agricultural hillside is reached by turning
directly off a public road and is open to all via broken masonry
wall and a non-locking gate. 500-5000 marble, granite, sandstone,
and other materials 19th-20th century tombstones, in original
locations, flat shaped tombstones with carved relief decorations,
finely smoothed and inscribed stones, or multi-stone monuments
have Hebrew and German inscriptions. Some have metal fences
around graves. The pre-burial house has inscriptions. The site is
Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are agricultural.
Occasionally, private visitors stop. Individuals clear or clean
occasionally. Pollution and vegetation are moderate threats;
vandalism is a very serious threat. Security and weather erosion
are minor threats.
HOLICE: US Commission No. SLCE000299
Holice is located in Dunajska Streda, SE of Bratislava. The
isolated suburban agricultural location has no sign or marker.
Reached by crossing a field, access is open to all without gate
or walls. Present size of the cemetery is 10x20 meters. 1-20
marble and granite 19th-20th century tombstones, in original
locations, are flat shaped tombstones or finely smoothed and
inscribed stones with Hebrew inscriptions. Adjacent properties
are agricultural. The cemetery is visited rarely. Security is a
serious threat. Pollution, vegetation (disturbing stones and
graves), and vandalism are very serious threats.
HOMONNA: see HUMENNE
HORKA NAD VAHOM: US Commission No. SLCE000181
Horka nad Vahom is located S of Trencin. The isolated suburban
hillside has no sign or marker. Reached by turning off a public
road, access is open to all with no walls or gate. 1-20 sandstone
19th-20th century flat shaped tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions
are in original locations. Adjacent properties are agricultural.
Private visitors stop rarely. Vandalism is a moderate threat.
HORNA KRUPA: US Commission No. SLCE000225
Horna Krupa is located N of Trnava. The isolated
rural/agricultural hillside has no sign or marker. Reached by
turning directly off a public road, access is open to all with no
walls. 1-20 19th-20th century tombstones in original locations
are marble and granite flat shaped tombstones with Hebrew
inscriptions. Adjacent properties are agricultural. Private
visitors stop rarely. Security, pollution, vegetation (which is
disturbing graves), and vandalism are moderate threats.
HORNA STREDA: US Commission No. SLCE000183
Horna Streda is located in Trencin, N of Piestany. The flat
urban isolated location has no sign or marker. Reached by turning
directly off a public road, access is open to all via a masonry
wall and a non-locking gate. 3 flat shaped tombstones sandstone
19th-20th century tombstones in original locations have Hebrew
and German inscriptions. The site is Jewish cemetery only.
Adjacent properties are residential. Private visitors stop
rarely. No threats.
HORNE LEFANTOVCE: US Commission No. SLCE000250
Horne Lefantovce is located N of Nitra. The last known Jewish
burial was in 1909. The isolated wooded crown of a hill has no
sign or marker. Reached by turning off a public road, access is
open to all with no walls or gate. 20-100 marble, granite, and
sandstone 19th-20th century flat shaped tombstones or double
tombstones in original locations have Hebrew and German
inscriptions. Adjacent properties are forest. Private visitors
stop rarely. Erosion is a moderate threat; vandalism is a very
serious threat.
HORNE OZOROVCE: US Commission No. SLCE000235
Horne Ozorovce is located SE of Trencin. The isolated suburban
hillside has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a
public road, access is open to all via a broken masonry wall and
no gate. 20-100 marble, granite, sandstone, and other materials
19th century tombstones in original locations are flat shaped
tombstones or finely smoothed with Hebrew and German
inscriptions. Adjacent properties are agricultural and
residential. Private visitors stop rarely. No threats.
HORNE SALIBY: US Commission No. SLCE000354
Horne Saliby is located in Galanta, NW of Nove Zamky. The last
known Jewish burial was in 1958. The rural (agricultural) flat
land by water, separate but near cemeteries, has no sign or
marker. Reach by country lane, access is open to all via broken
masonry wall, a broken fence, and a locking gate. 10x50 meters is
size. 20 to 100 19th-20th century marble, granite and other
stones, most in original location are flat shaped tombstones or
finely smoothed and inscribed stones with Hebrew and Hungarian
inscriptions. Within the limits of the cemetery is a pre-burial
house. The present property owner is unknown. The property is
Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are agricultural.
Rarely, private visitors stop. No maintenance is done. Now,
individuals clean or clear occasionally. Moderate threat:
vandalism.
HORNY FEDVERNEK: see Zbrojniky
HOSSZUMEZO: see DLHE KLCOVO
HOSTISOVCE: US Commission No. SLCE000117
Hostisovce is located N of Rimavska Sobota. The suburban
hillside, part of a municipal cemetery, has no sign or marker.
Reached by turning directly off a public road, access is open to
all via a fence and a locking gate. 3 marble and granite 20th
century tombstones in the cemetery, in original locations, are
flat shaped tombstones or finely smoothed and inscribed stones
with Hebrew and German inscriptions. Site is used as a Jewish
cemetery only. Adjacent properties are agricultural and
residential. Private visitors visit occasionally. Occasionally,
individuals clean or clear vegetation. No threats to cemetery.
HOSTOVA: US Commission No. SLCE000261
Hostova is located E of Nitra. The isolated rural crown of a
hill has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a
public road, access is open to all via a broken masonry wall
without gate. 1-20 marble and sandstone flat shaped 19th-20th
century tombstones in original locations have Hebrew and German
inscriptions. Adjacent properties are agricultural. Private
visitors stop rarely. Pollution is a moderate threat; vegetation
and vandalism are serious threats; security is a minor threat.
HRACHOVISTE: US Commission No. SLCE000187
Hrachoviste is located in Trencin, NW of Piestany. The suburban
hillside, separate but near other cemeteries, has no sign or
marker. Reached by turning directly off a public road, access is
open to all via a broken masonry wall without gate. Present size
of the cemetery is 5x5. Two 20th century flat shaped tombstones
with Hebrew and German inscriptions are in original locations.
Adjacent properties are meadows. Private visitors visit rarely.
Vegetation is a moderate threat.
HROBONOVO: US Commission No. SLCE000305
Alternate name: Maly Stal. Hrobonovo is located in Dunajska
Streda, SE of town. Last known Jewish burial was in 1926. The
flat isolated suburban location is open to all without gate or
walls. Reached by turning directly off a public road, access is
open to all via a fence and non-locking gate. Present size of the
cemetery is 40x40 meters. 20-100 marble, granite, sandstone, and
other materials 19-20th century tombstones in original locations
are flat shaped stones, finely smoothed and inscribed stones, or
double tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions. Within the cemetery
limits are 2 tombs. The site is used for Jewish cemetery only.
Adjacent properties are agricultural and residential. Private
visitors visit occasionally. Individuals clear or clean
occasionally. No threats.
HRONSKY BENADIK: US Commission No. SLCE000283
Hronsky Benadik is located in Ziar nad Hronom, N of Levice. Last
known Jewish burial was in 1924. The isolated suburban hillside
has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a public
road, access is open to all via a broken masonry wall without
gate. Present size of the cemetery is 30x30 meters. 20-100
marble, granite, and sandstone 19th-20th century tombstones in
original locations are flat shaped tombstones or finely smoothed
and inscribed stones with Hebrew, German, and Hungarian
inscriptions. Adjacent properties are residential. Private
visitors stop rarely. Pollution, vandalism, and vegetation
(disturbing stones) are serious threats.
HRONSKY BENADIK: US Commission No. SLCE000283
Hronsky Benadik is located in Ziar nad Hronom, N of Levice. Last
known Jewish burial was in 1924. The isolated suburban hillside
has no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a public
road, access is open to all via a broken masonry wall without
gate. Present size of the cemetery is 30x30 meters. 20-100
marble, granite, and sandstone 19th-20th century tombstones in
original locations are flat shaped tombstones or finely smoothed
and inscribed stones with Hebrew, German, and Hungarian
inscriptions. Adjacent properties are residential. Private
visitors stop rarely. Pollution, vandalism, and vegetation
(disturbing stones) are serious threats.
HUMENNE: US Commission No. SLCE000025:
Humenne is located N of Michalovce. The isolated suburban
crown of a hill has no sign or marker. Reached by turning
directly off a public road, access is open to all via a broken
fence and no gate. 500-5000 marble, granite, limestone,
sandstone, and other material 19th-20th century gravestones are
in original locations. The flat shaped stones, finely smoothed
and inscribed stones, or multi-stone monuments, some with metal
fences around graves, have inscriptions in Hebrew, German, and
Slovak. The local Jewish community owns property used as a Jewish
cemetery only. Adjacent properties are forest. Frequently,
private visitors stop. Restoration includes cleaning stones and
clearing vegetation. Occasionally, individuals clean or clear.
There are no threats.
Information provided by Bert Gross, Irving Stolberg and
Samuel Gruber (contact through US Commission :
Humenne is located in the E part of Slovakia, N of Kosice and
Michalovce. The town's present population is about 38,000, but
fewer than 20 Jews out of a pre-War population of 2,300. The
Orthodox cemeteryis located outside of the city on a hill known
as Zidovska Hora or Jewish Hill. Reached by turning directly off
a public road and partly surrounded by a wire fence with a locked
gate, the entrance is open by arrangement with the caretaker who
has a key and maintains the site. The 15th century cemetery
preserves approximately 900 marble, granite, and limestone
gravestones with Hebrew, Slovak and German inscriptions. Many are
tilted, sunk-in the ground, or deliberately toppled by vandals.
The older part of the cemetery is to the left as one enters,
barely accessible due to long years of neglect. In the past few
years, a number of former city residents now living in the U.S.
and led by Bert Gross have undertaken restoration and maintenance
of the cemetery. The erection of a more secure fence is planned.
In March 1997, Hon. Irving Stolberg, Commission of the U.S.
Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad,
visited Humenne and was very impressed by the restoration work
being done. Julius Levicky, for many years the town's Cultural
Affairs director, oversaw the fencing and restoration. A new
stone for Mr. Gross' mother, just completed, was due for
placement. The major difficulty in Humenne is the difference of
opinion between the American donors to the cemetery restoration
and representatives of the Slovak Jewish community over the
disposition of the proceeds from the recent sale of the former
synagogue in Humenne for approximately $60,000 to the National
Bank. The Americans feel that most, if not all, of the proceeds
should go into fencing and maintenance of the cemetery. The
Slovak Jewish Community, represented by Mr. Fero Alexander, are
committed to expending up to $15,000 of the money for this
purpose. Starting in 1997, the care of cemetery and synagogues
has been delegated to a new committee ("SOS") in Banska Bestir,
under the direction of Juraj Turcan. Because the committee is
entrusted with the care of all the cemeteries and synagogues in
Slovakia, in addition to considerable responsibilities for the
surviving Jews (especially the Holocaust survivors), committee
members advocate a greater pooling of funds raised from the sale
of specific properties. Commissioner Stolberg speculates that the
SOS was founded to deflect some of the differences in priorities
between the Central Union and overseas Jews with origins in
Slovakia. [1998]
http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/humenne/humenne.htm
Alternate names: Homonna (Hungarian) Humenne (Slovak) [October
2000]
HUNCOVCE: (Hunsdorf)
BOOK: Die juedischen Friedhoefe in der Slowakei ;
[Jewish Cemeteries in Slovakia] as of 1966, by the late Eugen
Barkany. Cemetery on River Poprad was partly inundated. A few
stones may be seen in the river today. There are two cemeteries
in Huncovce, according to the book Zvidovske Nabozenske Obce
Na Slovenska by the late Eugen Barkany. One is in decent
condition with several hundred stones. According to Barkany, that
one is E of the village in the foothills. With a partial stone
wall, the western side has no wall. A 2 meter-wide walk runs down
the middle. A forest has grown up alongside the stones, making
access difficult. Source: Paul Klein; e-mail: pklein5ATgmail.com
US Commission No. SLCE000061
Alternate names: German-Hunsdorf (also spelled Unsdorf);
Hungarian-Hunfalva; Slovakian-Huncovce.
Huncovce is located N of Poprad. The flat isolated suburban
location is open to all without gate or walls. Reached by turning
directly off a public road, access is open to all via a broken
masonry wall and a non-locking gate. 100-500 marble, granite,
limestone, and sandstone 19th-20th century tombstones are in
original locations. The flat shaped stones, finely smoothed and
inscribed stones, or flat stones with carved relief decoration
have Hebrew and German inscriptions. Adjacent properties are
agricultural and residential. Occasionally, private visitors
stop. There is a pre-burial house and a house above the
tombstones in the cemetery. Vegetation and vandalism are moderate
threats. Security, weather, pollution are minor threats.
Report from Harry Zinn [1999]: Huncovce is located 10 km
from Poprad and 4 km from Kezmarok. The present town population
is approximately 2000 with no Jews. The cemetery is located E of
village and S of main highway. Mayor J. Majercak was mentioned in
an article in a 1998 unspecified Slovakian language publication,
which described the unveiling of a plaque at the site of the
former Huncovce yeshiva. The article stated that the Jewish
cemetery "is destroyed and vandalized, completely overgrown by
weeds and brush. The village representative stated that due to
today's financial and practical situation, nothing can be done
and it is more important to save monuments in larger
communities."
History: The Jewish community began at least by 1600. The
Jewish population as of 1942 was approximately 95 and according
to the above referenced Slovak news report, at one point in time
was 75% to 80% Jewish. Huncovce was the site of a 19th century
prominent yeshiva (so noted in the Encyclopedia Judaica). Rabbi
Samuel Rosenberg (1825-1918) lived here. The Jewish cemetery was
established approximately mid-19th century with last known
Orthodox Jewish burial in March 1942. Gross Lomnitz, Klein
Schlagendorf, Tatra Lomnitz, and Matlaren also used this
unland-marked cemetery 1-2 km away from the congregation. There
is a commemorative plaque (installed in 1998) at the nearby
former yeshiva building. The plaque reads (in both Slovak and
English): "Huncovce was once one of the most famous towns in
Europe where foremost rabbis from all over the world studied and
worked. This building was the seat of a Rabbinical School
(Yeshiva) in which Samuel Rosenberg, an authority of
international repute on Jewish theological pedagogy, worked
between 1879 and 1918." The isolated rural (agricultural)
hillside cemetery has no sign or marker. Reached by turning
directly off a public road about 100 yards across a field, access
is open to all via broken masonry wall and no gate. Most of the
about 200 gravestones are not in original location. Vegetation
overgrowth is a constant problem damaging stones. The cemetery is
divided into special sections: men, women, rabbis, and suicides.
The marble and granite 18th century tombstones finely smoothed
and inscribed stones or common gravestones have Hebrew and German
inscriptions. The present property owner is unknown. Adjacent
properties are agricultural. Compared to 1939, cemetery
boundaries enclose the same area. Rarely, Jewish or non-Jewish
private visitors stop. The cemetery was vandalized during World
War II and between 1945 and ten years ago. No maintenance was
done since 1947. Within the limits of the cemetery, Rabbi
Rosenberg's grave (along with those of his son and son-in-law)
are in small, enclosed building at the center of the cemetery.
Security, vandalism, and vegetation are very serious threats.
Weather erosion also is a serious threat. Harry Zinn, 942 14th
St., No. 5, Santa Monica, CA 90403 and Eugene Zinn, 6960
Bobbbyboyar Avenue, W Hills, CA 91307 completed this survey on 17
June 1999.
Harry Zinn was born in the town. He restored some
headstones when he returned from Auschwitz (as sole family
survivor) in 1945. He left in 1948 for Palestine but returned to
visit in June 1992. This report is based primarily on personal
observation from that visit. Zinn provided the following
narrative also: The village of Huncovce had two Jewish
cemeteries, the old one by the Poprad River and the newer one
(described above) dating from 1850 or 1900on the E side of the
village on a hillside. It was completely enclosed with a masonry
wall (now broken in many places). A beautifully designed, heavy
wooden gate graces the entrance on the E side of the cemetery
that leads into a good-sized room with Hebrew prayers in large
gold letters inscribed on three walls. To the left was the prayer
before entering a cemetery. Past the entry room was a two-meter
wide walkway. To the left were men's graves and to the right were
women's. At the far end of the cemetery against the wall was a
section reserved for suicides and those who severely violated
Jewish law. There was also a place for candles boxes that were
buried with a special prayer for the very ill or for pregnant
women who had maternity-related problems. (The candles
symbolically "took the place" of the ill so they would recover.)
The cemetery was the resting-place of the renowned rabbi (tzadik)
Samuel Rosenberg (1825-1918), head of the nearby Hunsdorfer
Yeshiva and the Hunsdorf (Huncovce) Kehilah. On his yahrzeit, his
students from around the world visited his grave. The village
(predominantly Jewish) was in a festive mood for days before and
after the yahrzeit. Rabbi Rosenberg's grave is flanked on the
right by the grave of his son who died very young and on the left
by the grave of his son-in-law Horowitz, father of a well-known
rabbi in Frankfurt au Main and of the last rabbi of Huncovce.
(Horowitz's grandson, Rabbi Moishe Horowitz of Brooklyn, New
York, still visits the cemetery annually for his grandfather's
Yahrzeit. Rabbi Horowitz is also the great-grandson of Rabbi
Rosenberg.) Sometime after 1948, a small building was erected to
enclose the three graves described above. These three graves are
still in good condition but the same cannot be said of the rest
of the cemetery. While visiting in 1992, I could not locate the
graves of any of my family members (despite recalling their exact
former locations). Gravestones were vandalized and broken. Heavy
vegetation overgrowth. Source: HarryZinn@aol.com
Tom Venetianer at mailto:tom.vene@uol.com.br in
Sao Paulo - Brazil may have more information. [July 2001]
HUNFALVA: see Huncovce
HUNSDORF: see Huncovce
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