Baranovka

The town Baranovka is situated in 22 versts from the railroad line. Before the civil war it was a trade center, supplying neighboring villages with products and manufactured goods.

The total population of the city before the pogroms was 6000, of whom 2000 were Jews. Now the population consists of 5500 with 1800 Jews. The number of Jewish houses was 260, and still remains the same, but the number of Jewish shops has decreased from 100 to 40.

Baranovka entrepreneurs in 1913. From pre-revolution “Yellow pages”

From March 1919 to December 1920 Baranovka was the scene of 5 pogroms led by the bands of Petlura, Sokolov, by the Poles and various demoralized insurgent detachments. As a result of these pogroms 45 persons were murdered and 20 women violated. Altogether about 200 families were pogromized. There are now in Baranovka 12 widows, 6 full orphans and 40 half orphans.

Baranovka has a porcelain factory and a steam flour mill. The products of the factories are consumed by the local population and neighboring towns. Several glass factories in the surrounding towns have been destroyed. Economic conditions in Baranovka were satisfactory before the war.

At the present time there are over 300 employed workmen of whom 230 are Jews. The heads of families of the Jewish working population can be classified as follows: – 50% workmen and artisans – 15% merchants – 35% unemployed and those without definite occupations.

Relief Rendered: $800 was received from the American Baranovka Landsmanschaft. This money was distributed as follows: – $400 for repairs to the Bath – $500 for individual relief – $100 for grating around the Jewish Cemetery, In addition small amounts of clothing and shoes have been distributed.

EXISTING INSTITUTIONS

Jewish Public school: 3 year course. This school was founded in December 1922 and about 70 children (girls and boys) ranging in age from 6 to 14 attends the classes. The student corps consists of 6 full orphans, 38 half orphans and 26 children having parents. The majority of these children are the children of local artisans and workmen of the Baranovsky Porcelain Factory. The premises of the Baranovka Public School are very good. They consist of 5 well lit, dry, spacious rooms. Attached to the School is a great kitchen garden-park and orchard where the children can play in summer, work in the orchard, and learn practically the natural sciences. The teachers staff consists of 3 persons and 1 technical worker. The school is maintained by the Uyesd Narobraz. It is occasionally supplied by the Evobcom with clothing and shoes. An agreement has been entered into by the School with the local Sel Soviet regarding the regular supply of the school by the latter, but so far this is only an agreement on paper. Aa a result, the school now finds itself in a critical situation. If it does not receive credit or assistance it will have to be closed as it serves the needs of the poorest children for which it receives no payment. In addition, it must supply the latter with stationery and school appliances from its own funds.

The School has no equipment of its own, but borrows equipment from other schools. There is no library, no school appliances. Additional equipment, a library, school appliances, etc., as well as a sum for the remuneration of the personnel is urgently needed. There are about 50 uncared for children and It is necessary to organize a home for them. The local population is willing to bear part of the expanses for the maintenance of such a children home.

Medico-Sanitary: There exists in Baranovka one soviet Hospital with 25 beds. Attached to this is a dispensary which handles from 30-35 patients daily. The latter is maintained by the funds of the Ousdrav. However premises repaired. Bed linen, kitchen utensils, medicaments and medical appliances are all badly needed, because of the lack of medicaments, bandages, etc. The Jewish population is generally unable to receive medical assistance though the need for such is very acute in Baranovka. Treatment at home is beyond the means not only of the poorest population, but also of the middle class. This is due to the high cost of medicaments. The Evobcom intends to organize a Dispensary with a pharmacy which would take care of the needs of the poorest population as regards medicaments, etc.

Credit: Before the pogroms there existed in Baranovka a Mutual Credit Society and Loan-Saving Kassa. The hoods of these organizations still reside in Baranovka and are now organizing a Loan Kassa.