Molodeczno — Association of Jews of Vilna and vicinity in Israel

Molodeczno Vilna district, Poland, today Belarus.

Jews first settled in the early 18^th century. The coming of the railroad in the late 19^th century stimulated Jews commerce, particularly in the lumber and flax trade. In 1897 the Jewish population was 1,105 (total 2,393), dropping to 950 in 1925 after the dislocations of WWI. The YEKOPO relief organization helped get the community back on its feet. A Tarbut Hebrew school was opened and the Zionist youth movements became active. After two years of Soviet rule (1939-41), the German Wehrmacht entered the town in July 1941. Within a few days 50 Jewish men were removed to an unknown destination. Another 400-800 Jews were executed outside Molodeczno in October 1941 after a selection. The remaining 350-600, including refugees, were housed in a barn and put to forced labor until herded into an unfinished building in December and burned alive.

From: Encyclopedia of Jewish Life