The Jewish Communities of Romania Collection (sometimes also described by the Romanian National Archives as the Documents Collection of the Jewish Communities of Romania) contains documents created and received by Jewish communities and organizations functioning in Romania from the 19th century to the first half of the 20th century.
The documents until World War II are composed of a variety of items reflecting community life, including statutes, correspondence, reports, and membership lists. Documents from the World War II period generally address the plight of Romanian Jews during this period. This material includes reports on persecutions and expropriations, correspondence and other documents related to deportees, and emigration paperwork. The post-World War II material generally deals with the repatriation of Jewish deportees to the Romanian-organized camps in Transnistria, the welfare of survivors, emigration, and the activities of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania and of the Jewish Democratic Committee (communist Jewish organization). For the complete inventory list of the collection, please see this link (in Romanian only).
JBAT archivists surveyed folders containing material related specifically to Bukovina and Transylvania. For details on the contents of these folders, please see the list below and click on any link.
Please note JBAT archivists did not survey this material directly. The folder description provided by the CNSAS inventory reads: Jews - Fălticeni, Himor [sic?], Siret: informative reports, requests for verification in files, memos, personal identity documents, reports, informative memos, investigative reports.
Please note JBAT archivists did not survey this material directly. The folder description provided by the CNSAS inventory reads: Documents recording the submission and receipt of documents between the district secction M.A.I. Of Gura Humorului and the Suceava district office; papers describing the situation with "elements" from the community for whom various materials are retained; plans for recruiting agents; records from the district department of Gura Humorului concerning legionnaire and nationalist Jewish problems; initiation of informative operational work; meeting minutes; meetings analyzing the activities of the Gura Humorului district department.
The collection includes the paperwork and material collected by the Suceava county Securitate (Romanian Communist Secret Police) offices under communism. The material includes select folders from the pre-communist period; these folders were presumably in the possession of the police and seized by the Securitate at some point in time. At the time of the JBAT survey (2015), the inventory for this collection was accesible only at the physical location of the CNSAS and only in digital form on the computers of the CNSAS reading room. The inventory provided no indication as to the linear extent of the collection and gave no additional details as to its history, content, or the number of pages in individual folders. The collection is large, over 1,000 files, and as such there are many hundreds of folders which are obliquely titled and may contain reference to Jewish residents, for example folders titled as dealing with religious issues or the nationality of residents or folders regarding the monitoring of individuals with relatives in the United States, of tourists in the region or of Romanians with ties to foreigners. It was beyond the scope of the present survey to inspect the contents of all such folders. There are, however, a number of folders with titles specifically referencing the Jewish content. Several of these contain material related to specific Jewish communities; others regard surveillance carried out in Jewish communities or on persons hoping to emigrate. For details on these folders and others with material clearly related to the Jewish population, please click on the link(s) below.
This file contains legal documents and maps pertaining to the seizure of the Sillex timber mill, including some of its buildings, rail facilities and machinery, for the building of a public electric grid. According to the documents, the owner S.I. Leibovici had abandoned the property and the firm upon emigration to Palestine.
This file contains correspondence, ordinances, and other civic records, many of which pertain to agriculture, distribution of food and services, and mobilization efforts. A substantial number also deal with religious and cultural regulations and restrictions, including a group of general restrictions beginning with sheet 6. Later, sheet 131 contains an ordinance that members of all denominations, Christian and Jewish, who [customarily] close their businesses on Saturday for religious reasons, will [henceforth] be forced to stay open for business on Saturday. Page 135 also includes a list of candidates for district elections, including candidates for the Jewish Party (Partidul Evreiesc).
This file contains various civic records and correspondence. It includes an order on sheets 85-86 forwarded from Bucharest to prepare tables listing all municipal residents who are listed as “Jewish” in the civic register of nationalities. The lists themselves are not present in this folder.
This folder appears to be misleadingly titled. It contains a wide variety of civic records; of particular interest is a list of tradesmen, merchants, and industrialists including the name and address of their business (sheet 20), as well as a proposal for regulations for the slaughtering animals and the transport of meat products, which would take into account Jewish religious law (sheet 200).
This file appears to be somewhat mistitled: the bulk of the various papers (correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, ordinances) in this file concern the setting of maximum prices for commodities and basic food and living essentials in response to the economic depression. Notably, many of the council members and representatives of the professional and trade groups are Jewish – see for example leaves 21 and 139. Elsewhere, there is a request for distribution of the Czernowitz newspaper “Der Tag” sent by Arnold Schwarz. Many prominent Jewish Czernowitz poets such as Rosa Ausländer were published in “Der Tag.”
This item consists of a register dealing with proof of citizenship of residents of the municipality. Name, year of birth, and a citation of their citizenship record are given, along with any family members (wife, children, etc.) for whom this citizenship is also valid. Notes are added, sometimes at a later date, if the citizenship is declared void, often in the case in which the individual or family acquires foreign citizenship or is proven not to reside in the municipality.
This file contains correspondence, meeting minutes, and various other papers pertaining to civic affairs in the municipality of Gura Humorului. Several documents and papers relate to Jewish citizens and the Jewish community, including a document beginning on page 272 regarding the makeup and character of the local Jewish community. Elsewhere, a number of items have to do with the matter of citizenship, which owing to the recent change of regime, was a major topic. Relating to this matter are several lists, such as the one beginning on sheet 26, which offer basic vital statistics on local residents born outside of the Bukovina province. The lists usually state place and date of birth and locality in which they were naturalized as citizens. A number of those listed appear to be Jews who emigrated from Galicia, Transylvania, and elsewhere both within and without the former Habsburg territories.
This file contains correspondence, inquiries, minutes, and registration lists involving town council elections in Gura Humorului. A substantial number of those involved in the elections or mentioned in the documents bear Jewish names.
This file contains correspondence between provincial and national officials and district officials in Gura Humorului regarding schools and the provision of resources to needy students. Among the papers are some items regarding the establishment of a boarding house for Jewish students (Jüdisches Schülerheim).
This file contains correspondence, registers, requests, reports, and other civil documents, largely concerning property in the Gura Humorului district. Several of the documents mention Jewish landowners. An example of other types of documents pertaining to Jews in this district are permits for Markus vel Mortche Wein to give dance lessons in the district (beginning on page 52).
This file contains bulletins, correspondence, and civil cases pertaining to the municipality of Gura Humorului. A large number of the papers revolve around public health matters, as a number of different epidemics, especially scarlet fever, appear to have been ravaging the populace. In particular, there are reports relating to sanitary and safety improvements needed in public and religious facilities, and in businesses. For example, page 40 offers a report on a faulty boiler at the local mikveh, and there are a number of reports on conditions at various butcher shops, including a few of which appear to have been Jewish-run.
This collection contains various civic records, including correspondence, ordinances, city council meeting minutes, and other documents. Many or even most of the documents may relate in some way to the Jewish population due to the relatively high proportion of Jewish involvement in the city government, both as council members and as representatives of commercial and trade groups. Examples of contents includes material related to town council elections, lists with addresses and names of merchants and shopkeepers, files dealing with expropriated or seized Jewish property (access may be restricted), files concerning Jewish schools or public health measures or ordinances applicable to religious facilities. For details on such items, please click on any link below.
This file contains reports on raids and inspections undertaken by the police force of Gura Humorului. Pages 12-15 include a mention of an audit of domestic workers employed by Jews.
This files contains various memoranda, bulletins, and reports about the activities of members of the Communist Party both locally and nationally. At least one document specifically mentions activities of Jewish communists.
This file contains information on artisans and handworkers of Gura Humorului. Item 12 is a register of the local artisans and handworkers, the majority of whom were Jewish. The register lists name, various data on previous military and civil service, date and place of birth, name of parents, address, degree or professional credentials, nature of work, location of workshop, date of founding of workshop, and ethnicity.
This item is a register of domestic servants and workers in Gura Humorului, the majority of whom were women and either Orthodox or Catholic. A few Jewish women are also registered, and several of the employers appear to have been Jewish. Each entry includes a photo of the person registered, their name, age, marital status, place and date of birth, information on their residence and employer, as well as remarks on their physical characteristics.
This files includes various orders, correspondence, and reports on surveillance of radical groups, both left and right wing. For example, item 72 regards the activities of some Zionists and communists. Elsewhere, some materials pertain to reports on the activities of right wing groups like the Iron Guard and on anti-Semitic publications.
This file contains reports and orders on censorship and activities surrounding the distribution or presentation of officially censored materials, as well as requests by residents and visiting artists to present cultural programming (plays, films, meetings). Item 31 in particular has to do with a Jewish cultural presentation. Please note there are several folders with such material from various years.
This file contains reports and orders on censorship and activities surrounding the distribution or presentation of officially censored materials, as well as requests by residents and visiting artists to present cultural programming (plays, films, meetings). Several requests pertain to meetings and gatherings of the Jewish community, and there are a number of censorship orders to stop the distribution of German- and Yiddish-language Jewish newspapers and periodicals (see for example items 94-99). Please note there are several folders with such material from various years.
This file contains tables, correspondence, and documents regarding tradesmen and public buildings in Gura Humorului. A substantial number of the tradesmen bear traditionally Jewish names.
This file contains correspondence, circulars, and arrest orders for fugitives and suspected criminals, including a circular (item 81) pertaining to Marcel Pauker (Ana Pauker's husband), David Finkelstein, Alexandru Dobrogeanu-Gherea, and other communists' escape from state custody.
This collection contains papers and correspondence relating to the administration of the police (staffing, payroll, budget), as well as a number of materials regarding community events and surveillance of citizens. Of particular interest are lists of tradesmen present in the municipality, many of whom were Jewish, and requests by individuals and organizations for permits for social and cultural events, including many events hosted by Jewish cultural organizations. There is also a substantial amount of material regarding press censorship and surveillance of political groups, including Zionist groups. For details on the items mentioned above, please click on any link below.
This collection contains only matriculation registers. Each page contains an entry for a student containing their grades for the school year, as well as basic vital information (date of birth, name, residence, and profession of parent(s). If applicable, additional observations are given, as well as the names of any schools the student previously attended.
This register contains handwritten entries in a printed book (post 1918 in a mix of German and Romanian). Name, age, address and profession of deceased, and in some cases vital information on the deceased's parents are listed, along with date, cause, and location of death, and date and location of burial.
This register contains handwritten German entries in a printed book. Name, age, address and profession of deceased, as well as the address of the deceased's parents are listed, along with date, cause, and location of death, and date and location of burial.
This item contains handwritten German entries in a hand-drawn register. Name and age of deceased as well as cause and location of death are listed. Entries are in approximate chronological order; a couple of documents relevant to the register are interleaved.
This register contains handwritten German entries in a printed book. Name, age, occupation, and residence of the bride and groom are listed, as well as the names, occupations, and residences of their parents. Also provided are the date and location of the wedding, as well as the name of the officiating rabbi and witnesses. Comments and amendments follow the basic entry, and handwritten amendments, corrections, and in some cases documents, in Romanian from later decades (post 1930) are inserted. Entries are in approximate chronological order.
This register consists of handwritten German entries in a printed book. Name, age, occupation, and residence of the bride and groom are listed, as well as the names, occupations, and residences of their parents. Also provided are the date and location of the wedding, as well as the name of the officiating rabbi and witnesses. Comments and amendments follow the basic entry. Entries are in approximate chronological order.
This item contains handwritten German entries in a hand-drawn register. Name and age of bride and groom are listed, along with the name and occupation of witnesses and the date of the wedding. Entries are in approximate chronological order.
This register contains handwritten German entries in a printed book. Name of child, date of birth, address of residence, name of parents, godparents, midwife, and mohel, as well as address of maternal grandparents are listed. Following the entries are amendments and corrections. A few corrections and additions in Romanian from later decades are also present.
This is a collection of records of birth, marriage, and death, usually in the form of register books kept by religious officials. The collection is arranged alphabetically by the name of the locality, and then if applicable subdivided into subparts by religious denomination. Depending on the time period and on the size of the congregation, birth, marriage, and death registers may consist of separate volumes or be contained in a single volume. Please note that this collection consists of register books for localities within the boundaries of Suceava county, established after the second World War. Suceava County (Județ) includes all of Southern Bukovina (i.e. the part of Austrian Bukovina now within Romania's boundaries), as well as some additional territories which were never part of the Austrian province of Bukovina. For details on the Jewish community record books contained within this collection, please see the links below.
This file contains correspondence, orders, and other documentation regarding anti-Semitic measures taken towards the Jewish inhabitants of Câmpulung Moldovenesc, Gura Humorului, and Vatra Dornei. Included is correspondence regarding concentration camps within the towns, ”evacuation” of Jews (i.e. Deportation to Transnistria), orders regarding the possession of Jewish property, lists of Jewish residents who with permits to remain within the towns, orders regarding the wearing of the yellow star, and other similar dispatches.
This file contains correspondence, orders, and other documentation regarding anti-Semitic measures taken towards the Jewish inhabitants of Câmpulung Moldovenesc, Gura Humorului, and Vatra Dornei. Included is correspondence regarding concentration camps within the towns, ”evacuation” of Jews (i.e. deportation to Transnistria), orders regarding the possession of Jewish property, lists of Jewish residents with permits to remain within the towns, orders regarding the wearing of the yellow star, and other similar dispatches.
The file contains a variety of forms regarding individuals who served in the Austro-Hungarian army. Some are in German and appear to be the original certificates of service dating from the late 19th century to World War I. Other are in Romanian and created in 1935. There are Jewish, Romanian, and German soldiers. Though this is catalogued in Câmpulung Moldovenesc, the files all appear to be from Gura Humorului.
This collection consists of files created or maintained by the police authorities in Câmpulung Moldovenesc from the 1920s to the 1940s. In light of the significant Jewish population of the town, many or even most files may contain papers related in some way to Jewish residents. There are, for example, charts of artisans and shop-keepers; requests from organizations (Jewish cultural, religious, political groups) for permission to organize cultural events from dances to meetings to elections and so forth; files on suspected persons (including war-time refugees); files dealing with the revoking of Romanian citizenship from Jews; files from the Austro-Hungarian period with military conscript information; files dealing with forced labor or deportation to Transnistria during World War II. For details on these items and others, please click on any link below.
This item is a poster announcing the guest performance of a Czernowitz theater troupe in Gura Humorului for April 1924. Names include the director E. Grünau, Paul Frank, Siegfriend Geyer, Curt Wongler, Hertha Wachsler, Leo Strassberg, Grethe Marbach. Poster is in German with Romanian translations.