Jewish Heritage
Romania is home to more than 800 Synagogues and several cemeteries. Most Synagogues are still used by
the small local Jewish communities scattered throughout the country.
Jewish Heritage sites of particular interest are located in the following
cities: Bucharest, Arad, Bacau, Baia Mare, Botosani, Brasov, Campulung
Moldovenesc, Cluj-Napoca, Constanta, Dorohoi, Galati, Iasi, Oradea, Piatra
Neamt, Roman, Satu Mare, Sighetu Marmatiei, Timisoara, Targu Mures and
Targu Neamt.
One of the most prominent names in contemporary Jewish history is Elie
Wiesel, who was born in Sighetu Marmatiei, Maramures. His childhood home
has been restored, and it is open to visitors. Nearby is the
community's 19th Century Synagogue.
Bucharest's synagogues include the Choral Temple, built in 1857, still
serving Bucharest's small Jewish
community (it is noted for its magnificent Moorish turrets, choir loft
and organ) and the Great Synagogue, dating from 1850, which now houses the Jewish History
Museum with its remarkable centerpiece sculpture of a mourning woman (open
Wednesday and Sunday).
Iasi, headquarters of Hacham Bashim in the 17th Century and one of the
great European centres of Jewish learning during the 19th Century, has one
remaining Synagogue, the Great Synagogue, built in 1671. It is no longer
in use, but serves as a museum, open by appointment. Satu Mare's Great
Synagogue, built in 1920, is still in use.
In Oradea, three imposing Synagogues remain from when this city was an important centre of Romanian
Jewish life.
In Satu Mare — the birthplace of Satmar Hasidim — the
community of just 80 Jewish families keeps up its magnificent Synagogue,
whose interior walls are completely covered with frescoes depicting
biblical scenes.
For a list of Jewish Community centres in Romania please contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Romania.
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