Kosiv became a town in the late 16th century because of its valuable salt deposits. The first recorded mention of a Kehilla dates back to 1635. The cemetery was built much later in the 18th century. The Jewish community grew because of the owners, attracting people to the town. Jews were mostly involved in trade, lease of estates, salt mines, mills, taverns, and the collection of taxes. By the end of the 18th century, Kosiv was inhabited by 250 Greek Catholic, 110 Jewish and 7 Roman Catholic families.