Taxes on Jews were raised, which bankrupted businesses. This resulted in a large Jewish immigration to cities within central Russia, Western Europe, and Israel. The population of Konotop decreased markedly. In 1946, three synagogues were converted to a facility housing town archives and two tailoring factories. Soviet officials blocked the formation of a new prayer house.

Jewish traditions were almost eliminated in Konotop. Both the last Brit performed by Shapirkin Gilia and the last wedding under a Chupa occurred in 1952. The last traditional Jewish funeral was conducted in 1965.

Shapirkin Gilia performed the last kosher butchering before 1976. Only a few old men gathered in Jiama Feldman’s home in 1982 for Sabbath prayers.

Soviet policy toward Jewish immigration changed in the late 1970’s, but it was not until 1990 that the first families departed Konotop and moved to Israel. By 2001, only 300 Jews remained in Konotop, but there were 500 Jews from Konotop living in Israel.

Konotop Population Table

Date Total Population Jewish Population

1634 Town Founded —

1660 801 men

1800 100

1847 521

1859 9,000

1861 1206

1897 18,400 4426

1900

1926 33,600 5763

1932 50,000

1939 33,500 5700

1945 2500

1959 54,100

1970 68,400

1972 71,000

1982 86,000

1989 900

1992 750

1995 550

2001 100,000 300