Memorial Book of Radikhov, Lopatyn and Vicinity (Radekhiv, Lopatyn, Ukraine)

Radikhov was a town located in eastern Galicia, along the rail line from Lvov [Lviv] to Lutsk. The Jewish community, numbering around 5,000, was a microcosm of Jewish life in Poland. Enterprises predominantly owned by Jews included flour mills that served the city and surrounding areas, sawmills, a brewery, and a brick kiln factory. The weekly fair was the main event in the city. Jewish merchants and shopkeepers brought their wares and Gentiles brought produce from their farms including grain, poultry and eggs.

The book includes information about Lopatyn, Witkow Nowy, Cholojow, Toporow, Stanislawczyk, Strzemilcze (Stremiltsch), Szczurowice (Schtervitz) and nearby villages.

The first Aktzia took place two days after Rosh Hashana 5702 [September 22, 1941], on a Tuesday, lasting from the morning through the evening. The Gestapo surrounded the city and forced all residents to leave their homes. They murdered more than 30 people on the spot. The remaining residents were taken to the train station, shoved into train cars, and transported to an unknown location. The bodies of those who were shot were taken to the cemetery and buried in a mass grave.

In their preface to the book, the editorial committee wrote that "It was our strong desire to vividly capture the lives of the residents and their communities in this memorial book. We wished to record the diverse lifestyles throughout their existence, right until the very end. This book will serve as a lasting memory - an eternal tribute and Ner Neshama [memorial candle] - to commemorate the lives and deaths of the Jews that resided in these towns and villages."

A list of martyrs for each town is included. There is also a list of former residents of these towns who died in Israel.