Cherkassy foundation date refers to 1280’s. Jews appeared on this territory in 16-17th centuries.
In 1788, 14 houses of 561 in Cherkassy belonged to Jews. In 1791 Jews were enabled to settle down in Yekaterinoslav region and Tavriya guberniya. There appeared a range of towns which belted the Empire at the side of Ukrainian steppes in South-West. Among them modern towns in Cherkassy region: Smela, Shpola, Talnoye, Lysyanka, Uman, Cherkassy, Zolotonosha and other settlements. In 1797, among 4 merchants were 4 Jews; among 883 philistines were 186 Jews. In the 19th century, industry in Cherkassy develops intensively, which was stimulated by the Jews massively moving to Ukraine from divided Poland and Lithuania. Practically all the enterprises in the city belonged to Jewish manufacturers.
The majority of those who worked at the city’s enterprises were Jews, too. It was caused by the fact that it was difficult for a Jew to find a job in the countryside. By the beginning of 1910, more than 30% of the city population was made up by Jews. The similar situation could be observed in all the towns which now form Cherkassy region. The part of population with Jewish origin composed, on average, from 25% to 55% of the whole, and in Uman the number of Jews surpassed 70%.
In the beginning of the 20th century a firm and self-sufficient Jewish community was formed in the city. There was a comprehensive Jewish school, a Jewish hospital, 13 synagogues and meetinghouses in Cherkassy.
During the Civil War, a few big surges of Jewish massacres ran over the territory of modern Cherkassy region. In the course of this tragedy Jewish communities in cities and villages took great material bashing and suffered numerous human losses.
Over the period between the Civil War and World War II Cherkassy Jewish community still existed but its role in the city life was not that important as before. Synagogue buildings were nationalized, but still there were Jewish schools, there existed newspapers in Yiddish, people could speak their language and pray.
During World War II Cherkassy was occupied by the German troops within two-year time (from August, 22nd 1941 till December, 14th 1943). By the moment of liberation there were no Jews in the city. Fortunately, the majority of inhabitants managed to flee to the East. Those who stayed were all annihilated by Hitler’s soldiers. Only within September-October 1941 more than 3000 Jews were shot in the city. Practically, in every town and in many villages in Cherkassy region there was own “Babiy Yar” – the place where Jews were annihilated in masses.
After the war Jewish school did not opened again, there were no books, no newspapers, and no theatrical performances in Yiddish. Everything connected with Jews, Jewry, and especially Judaism was strictly prohibited.
Changes began only in Perestroyka times. The first Jewish association permitted by the government after the long years of break was Jewish culture society – it was created in 1989 and united under its aegis more than 300 Jews.
In December 1991 the first religious community was registered in Cherkassy – the community of progressive Judaism “Chaver”. Since 1992 a Jewish Sunday school, organized and sustained within 4 years by the community “Chaver”, checked on. In 1994 the community of orthodox Judaism was registered. In 1995 was formed municipal joint Jewish community which today unites about 800 Jews.

Since 1997 in the city operates the regional charity Jewish fund “Hesed Dorot” which today has in its base more than 2000 persons under their charge, children and volunteers. Since 2000 a Jewish kindergarten “Perachim” exists under Hesed’s rule. It has got 3 groups and nearly 60 inmates.

In 2003 a comprehensive Jewish school and a synagogue were opened in the city.