Izyaslav (formerly Zaslavl) city in Khmelnitski region (former Kamenets-Podolski), Ukraine. Situated on the Horyn river, the city dates back to the 11th century. It is one of the oldest cities in Volhynia. As of 2009, the population of Izyslav was 17,232.
Beginning
The first evidence about the Jewish community there dates back to the first half of the 16th century. Most of the Jews fled to the neighbouring cities (Ostrog, Mezhirich and Dubno) during the Chmielnicki massacres of 1648. Among them was Nathan ben Moses Hannover who described these tragic events in his book “Yeven Mezulah” (Venice, 1653). Approximately 200 Jews who had remained in Izyaslav were killed on the Old Jewish cemetery and then set on fire. The synagogue was destroyed and converted into a stable.
Jewish population of Izyaslav:
1765 — 2807
1857 — 6138
1897 — 5998 (47,6%)
1912 — 6365 jews
1926 — 3820 (32,6%)
1939 — 3208 jews
1950 ~ 2000 jews
2014 – 9 jews
After the massacres, the community was rebuilt. A the start of the Haidamack movement in 1708, the community was destroyed again and most of its members killed.
