Zofiówka was established by the Tsarist authorities in 1835 and was inhabited mainly by Jews from Volhynia and Belarus. Although it was granted a town charter, the inhabitants were mostly engaged in agriculture, as well as (but less commonly) in tanning, craftworks and trade. An economic boom of sorts came at the beginning of the 20th century with the opening of a glass factory.

World War I and the Austrian occupation brought many tragedies to the Jewish community of Zofiówka – economic collapse, forced labour for the Austrian army and typhus epidemics, which took a heavy toll.

After Zofiówka had been incorporated into the independent Poland, Zionist organizations started to blossom in the town, especially Beitar and HeHalutz. Before 1939, about 45 Jewish families emigrated to Palestine.

Following September 17, 1939, when Zofiówka became part of the Soviet Union, the number of Jewish population in the town increased to approx. 3,500 due to an inflow of refugees from Polish areas occupied by the Germans.

After Zofiówka had been occupied by the German army, in August 1942, the Ukrainian policemen under the command of the SS murdered over 5,000 Jews from Zofiówka and neighbouring towns and burnt their houses together with all their belongings.