The new Jewish cemetery in Żarki was established in 1821 and during its period it was enlarged several times.
During the liquidation of the ghetto in Żarki, on October 6, 1942, the Nazis shot about 300 people of Jewish origin at the cemetery.
About 1,100 tombstones have survived on the area of 1.5 ha, the oldest of which dates back to 1835. The matzevot were made of sandstone, limestone, granite and concrete. They have the traditional shape of stel-matzevot, next to which tomb and framed tombs have been preserved.
In the years 1983-1985, cleaning works were carried out at the cemetery.
A lapidarium was built at the south-eastern end of the necropolis. The works were financed by a former resident of Żarek, Eli Zborowski, president of the American and International Societies for Yad Vashem.
In August 2014, work on the assembly of unique cast-iron matzevot in the Jewish cemetery was completed. Wojciech Mszyca, an enthusiast of the history of Żarek, and the Żarki Commune under the patronage of the Mayor of Żarki and the Commune of Żarki, Klemens Podlejski, were involved in the work. Matzevot were accidentally found in 2013 in the area of the Leśniów Sanctuary in Żarki during earthworks. They were taken to the Cultural Center (former synagogue) in Żarki.
The Rabbinical Commission in Warsaw, which was informed about the find, decided that the best solution would be to return the matzevot to the Jewish cemetery. In Poland - and in Europe! - there are only 5-6 places where cast iron matzevot have been preserved - in the case of Żarki from 1880, 1886 and 1894. Until last year in Żarki it was known that some cast iron matzevot were in the Jewish cemetery in Żarki, but during the occupation the Germans ordered to collect them , lodged under the gendarmerie, and then they were taken away - most likely for melting down. A find from 2013. years against the background of these news can be considered remarkable.