​In the early 19th century, a few Jewish families settled in the small town of Ricse in Zemplén County as tenants. In 1850, there were 6 Jews in the village, which then had a population of 230. Presumably this meant approximately one or two families. The 1910 census data documented 129 Jews among the 1,955 residents. However, the flourishing life of the Jewish community was abruptly halted by World War II, during which 9 families were deported from Ricse to death camps, including members of the family of the town’s famous native, Adolph Zukor.

The Ricse Jewish cemetery and the Zukor Family​
(Ricse, Dobó Katalin utca)

The Ricse Jewish cemetery has become a pilgrimage site for filmmakers, as it houses the grave of Hollywood producer Adolph Zukor’s mother. Adolph Zukor, a prominent figure in the American film industry, was born in Ricse on January 7, 1873. His father operated a general store in the town in the early 1860s and 1870s. Young Zukor grew up in Mátészalka, raised by his rabbi uncle. At the age of fifteen, after the death of his parents, he decided to continue his life in the United States. Starting from scratch, with almost no money in his pocket, he built the film empire that today attracts notable creators to the town to see where one of Hollywood’s most influential producers, and the founder of Paramount Pictures began his journey. Zukor Adolph’s name can be seen today on the civic centre of the town. Also, a plaque in Vörösmarty utca commemorates the man who was born Jewish but did not forget his roots even when he became a recognized professional overseas. In his absence, he supported the renovation of the town’s institutions (Calvinist church and school) and provided financial assistance to poor families in Ricse. In 1928, he had an artesian well drilled in his hometown on Ady Endre utca and attached a memorial statue to it. The “Shepperd-well” monument was created by sculptor Aladár Gárdos, who fell victim to the Holocaust in 1944. Adolph Zukor passed away in Los Angeles in 1976 at the age of 103, but his name has become inseparable from the Hungarian small town. The Ricse Jewish cemetery was renovated by the Zukor family in 2001. A plaque at the entrance commemorates this event.

PHOTOS:

1, 2, 3, 4: The Ricse Jewish cemetery today.

PHOTOS:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: Memories of Adolph Zukor in Ricse.
7. Postcard from Ricse with Adolph Zukor’s birth home.
8. Unveiling of the Memorial Plaque by the Ricse municipality in 2016 at the Adolph Zukor Civic Centre.