Details: The history of Stavisht dates back to the early 1600s, and possibly even earlier, when it served as a garrison for protection against invasions by Crimean Tatars. In 1635 it was formally recognized and granted rights by Magdeburg law, a medieval ruling providing autonomy to cities and towns. Ukrainian Cossacks made it their center for the Bila Tserkva regiment during the 1650s. By the end of 1665 during numerous revolts against ruling Poland, the village and its surroundings were destroyed and many citizens were slaughtered. As Polish rule continued there were repeated rebellions while the city tried to rebuild. By 1866, 1,752 Jews resided in Stavisht representing 48% of the total population of 3,678. In 1897, the total population of Stavisht was 8,186 of which 3,917 were Jewish, primarily Hasidic. The rest were Russian Orthodox peasants, and Catholics. The Russian Revolution and the Civil War of 1919 brought brutal violence against the Jews of Stavisht and throughout the Pale of Settlement. Many of the Jewish residents were killed or escaped to immigrate to safer environs. By 1926 only 970 Jews remained and at the start of World War II in 1939, under Soviet rule, the Jewish population had shrunk to only 319 inhabitants. The Soviet Era, beginning in 1922, was a time of collectivization, economic disruption, communism, man-made famine and, for many, a fight for survival. The Ukrainian famine of 1932-33, hit Stavisht hard. During WWII the Germans occupied Stavisht between June 17, 1941 and January 4, 1944. Two weeks after descending on the town, the Germans rounded up all of the town's Jewish men (about 60 people), allegedly for work. They were forced to dig a pit, and were shot there. Soon afterwards, all of the Jewish women and children were brought to the same location – ostensibly for evacuation – and were also shot. Infants were thrown into the pit alive. Several hundred Jews were executed. The Jewish community of Stavisht which can officially be traced back to 1765 was completely eliminated by the Nazis by September of 1941. May this book serve as a memorial to a community that no longer exists.   Alternate names:Stavishche [Ukr, Rus], Stavisht [Yid], Stawiszcze [Pol], Stawyszcze, Stavische, Stavishcha, Stavysce Stavyshche, Ukraine is located at 49°23' N 30°12' E and 74 miles S of Kyiv.   Nearby Jewish Communities: Zhashkiv 10 miles SSW Tetiyev 24 miles W Pyatyhory 12 miles W Rokytne 25 miles NNE Volodarka 16 miles NW Lukashivka 25 miles SW Tarashcha 18 miles NE Sokolivka 26 miles S Vynohrad 19 miles ESE Medvin 26 miles E Nastashka 19 miles NNE Tsibulev 27 miles SW Kivshovata 20 miles ENE Bila Tserkva 28 miles N Boyarka 21 miles E Ivan'ky 30 miles SSE Konela 22 miles S Lysyanka 30 miles ESE Buky 23 miles SSE Ryzhanivka 30 miles SE

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