The marshy garrison town of Ratno—Which at different times would be part of Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine—began on the banks of the Pripyat River in the 14th century. Jewish presence there grew from about 12 families in 1565 to 1,554 people, or 64.5% of the population, in 1921. Jews were active in the town's civic life; some became city council members. Jews made their living as tailors, seamstresses, shoemakers, furniture makers, millers, manufacturers, builders and carpenters. In the 1920s, Ratno boasted a famous synagogue, several cheders, including one for girls; a Tarbut school of 200 students, a library with a drama club, two competing Zionist youth groups, and a chapter of the Women's International Zionist Organization.

On June 28, 1941 the German Wehrmacht occupied the town. With the Ukrainian auxiliary police, they began a reign of anti-Jewish measures and killings. In spring 1942 the Germans established a ghetto, forcing 2,500 Jews to live there. After a partisan raid, more than 110 Jews were shot “in retaliation.” On August 26, 1942, the Gestapo, the German constabulary and Ukrainian auxiliary police, murdered the ghetto's entire population. In February 1943 the remaining Jews were also murdered.

Almost nothing remains of this rich, vibrant Jewish community. This book—a new translation of the 1983 book published in Israel— preserves its memory for future generations.