Khodoriv

Khodoriv (; ) is a town in the Zhydachiv Raion, Lviv Oblast of western Ukraine. Its population is approximately .
The city was first mentioned in 1394. In many historic documents it is referred to as "Khodoriv-stav". In many documents it is named Khodoriv-stav. It is connected with a male name Fedir and the situation of the town above a big lake. In the 15th century, Khodoriv was granted city status and a coat of arms.
Khodoriv was one of the major industrial hubs in Zhydachiv Raion and Lviv Oblast, with more than 10 manufacturing and other plants including the Sugar Plant and the Plant of Manufacturing Polygraph Machines. Within the city, there are three secondary education schools and two colleges. The city also has some monuments of architecture, including the St. Michael's Church. In addition, new church will rise in early 2000s, designed by Oleksandr Matviiv. Khodoriv has always been a big railroad hub in the region.
The Jewish population of Khodoriv amounted to around 2500 at the beginning of the German occupation of the town in July 1941. Immediately, the Germans and their Ukrainian collaborators robbed and abused Jews and burned down the Great Synagogue. In June 1942, the first Aktion rounded up about 1000 to 1500 Jews. Those who were sick and weak were shot in Khodoriv, others were sent to Belzec where they were immediately murdered. A similar Aktion took place in October, with 350 Jews deported to Belzec to be murdered. After that about 800 Jews were left in the town. In February 1943, the Ukrainian police murdered the rest near the local sugar plant. Only 15 or so of the town's Jews survived, mostly hidden with friends and acquaintances. Ten had been hidden by Henryk Piczek in his cellar for 22 months.
The historic wooden synagogue of Chodorow, built in 1652 and featuring a beautifully painted interior, was burned but a model of the ceiling has been reconstructed at the Museum of the Jewish People (Beth Hatefutsoth) in Tel Aviv, Israel. See Yad Vashem's web site on the synagogue.