Nelipeno, Czechoslovakia - '45 Aid Society

Nelipyno is a village is western Ukraine, near the border with Hungary and Slovakia, about 27km east of Mukachevo, on the banks of the Latorica river.

Until the end of World War I, Nelipyno was part of the Austro-Hungary. During the period between the two world wars it was incorporated in the state of Czechoslovakia. In the course of World War II it was occupied by Hungary. At the end of the war it became part of the Soviet Union.

Pre-war

Jews probably settled in Nelipyno in the first half of the 18th century. By 1880, the Jewish population was 209, out of a total population of 795. In 1921, under Czechoslovakian rule, the Jewish population rose to 496. Jewish families in Nelipyno earned a living from commerce and agriculture.

By 1941, the Jewish population had reached 672, out of a total population of 2,765.

Occupation

In 1938, Nelipyno and the surrounding area were annexed by Hungary and then incorporated into Hungary in 1939. The town became known as Harsfalva in Hungarian.

Jews were subjected to discrimination and antisemitic attacks. Men were sent into forced labour battalions and drafted for service on the eastern front, where most died.

In August 1941, those who could not produce Hungarian citizenship were deported and murdered in mass shootings.

Deportation

The Germans occupied Hungary in March 1944.

In April 1944, the Jews in Harsfalva were rounded up and placed in the Munkács Ghetto before, in May 1944, they were deported to the Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp.

Liberation

After World War II, Transcarpathia was annexed by the Soviet Union. Harsfalva became part of the USSR and was renamed Nelipyno. Many Jews felt there was no future for them under Stalinism and either did not return to their homes or decided to flee westwards.