Book cover of the original Yizkor book: Sefer Zikaron David-Horodok
Yizkor or Memorial books document and memorialize Jewish communities that have been destroyed. The word “Yizkor” refers to the Jewish prayer service for remembering the dead. Although in existence for hundreds of years before the twentieth century, Yizkor books are best known for commemorating Jewish communities destroyed during the Holocaust. The Yizkor books from this time period were usually compiled by survivors and former residents of the town or shtetl and contain important information about the history, economy, and Jewish life of the community. Written in Yiddish, Hebrew, or both, many of the books contained detailed maps, photographs, illustrations, and necrologies.
Sefer Zikaron David-Horodok is a typical example of a Yizkor book commemorating a Jewish community that was destroyed during the Holocaust. It is a rich source of information about the history, economy, and Jewish life of David-Horodok and surrounding areas. Written in Yiddish and Hebrew by former residents of David-Horodok, the 487-page book was edited by Itzhak Zeldin-Eden, Yosef Lipshitz, and Yakov Moor (Kopek Moravtchik). The editors solicited written materials and photographs and then translated, corrected, and edited the submissions. The Yizkor book was published in Tel Aviv in 1957 with the support of the David-Horodok Women’s Organization of Detroit and the David-Horodok Organization of New York.
“The only thing that we could do to perpetuate the memory of the martyrs was to write this memorial. Therefore, let this memorial send its heart-rending cry to the heavens for all generations.” — The Editors
The original text of the Yizkor book, including the illustrations and maps, is available from the New York Public Library Digital Collections: https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/7b823960-6a1a-0133-3ca8-00505686a51c/book#page/2/mode/1up. It is also available here, thanks to the Organization of the Descendants of David-Horodok and the Surrounding Areas in Israel: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bhnl9pl4wss82j8de741x/Zikaron.pdf?rlkey=6w0egt4jhiqidrg60k7rmznjc&e=1&dl=0
As descendants of David-Horodok, we are fortunate to have digital access to our Yizkor book in both the original languages as well as in English. Each English version has its own merits to recommend it. Whether you choose to read one or all of them, you will be given a fascinating glimpse into the joys and horrors that our Horodoker ancestors experienced. You might even see one or more of your ancestors mentioned.