The Elie Wiesel Museum

The Jewish Story of Sighet, Romania

Sighet is located in the Northwestern part of Romania, bordering with Ukraine in the north and only 2 hours to the Hungarian border. Its population is close to 44,000 people including the villages surrounding. Recently, Sighet celebrated its 687 years since it was first established in 1334. The city architecture echoes the various Empires which ruled over or the various tribes which passed by. The word Sighet in Hungarian means Island; the city is positioned between two major rivers, the Tis and Iza, both of which embrace the city along with the Carpathian forests. [caption id="attachment_40000" align="alignnone" width="1500"] Photo Credit: Daniel Gruenfeld | Sighet “Old Town” embraced by the high-rise buildings built during exactly on the land where Jewish homes used to be seen pe- Holocaust era. These buildings were built circa 1970’s during the Communist Era.[/caption] Sighet is like a small jewel which hasn’t yet been polished enough, however the Region does attract kings and other Royal personalities. Prince Charles has been fascinated by the oldest Wooden Churches and the most picturesque landscape and the most authentic life style still available to see in Romania. Sighet, attracted Jews as early as the 18th century coming from Galicia; most found their livelihood from the timber and wood industry, that Sighet is famous for. Most of the Jewish community was of Chassidic descendants. Prior to World War II, Romania had a population of close to one million Jews. Romania is a large country divided into 41 counties. Most of the Jews who were affected by the Holocaust hailed from the western Romanian region of Northern Transylvania, which borders with Hungary and includes Maramureș County, and the region of Bucovina, in Romania’s northeast. Jews also resided in the city of Iasi, which experienced local pogroms. (‘Pogrom’ is a Russian term meaning a violent riot aimed at the massacre or persecution of an ethnic or religious group, particularly one aimed at Jews). During the Holocaust, the Jews of Bucovina were deported to Transnistria, a complex of villages located in contemporary Ukraine which were converted into camps during World War II. [caption id="attachment_40006" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Photo by: Daniel Gruenfeld | The Sighet Train Station[/caption] The Jewish communities of Northern Transylvania and Maramureș were deported directly to Auschwitz. More than half of Romania’s Jews were murdered during the Holocaust. Some survivors went to Israel or the United States, and others returned to their hometowns to search for surviving family members. Some left Romania just before the Communist Regime took over the government; others were stuck until the early 1960s, when the State of Israel paid for each person in order to be able to leave Romania. About 250,000 emigrated to Israel, where they integrated exceptionally well into the Israeli society and workforce. Today there are about 5,000 registered Jews in Romania, mainly living in major cities such as Bucharest, Iasi, Cluj, Oradea and Timișoara. Unfortunately, there are many cities, towns and villages that no longer have any Jewish residents. Nevertheless, the Jewish heritage landmarks are well documented and stand strong in memory of the families who once lived there. They provide an opportunity for the families’ descendants to come visit and for the locals to witness the history of Jewish life. [caption id="attachment_40004" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Photo by: Daniel Gruenfeld | The Sephardic Synagogue of Sighet[/caption] One of Tarbut Foundation’s objectives is to serve the descendants of the former Jewish Regions with genealogical research and the Family Roots Journeys. We offer the Maramureș Route, the Bucovina Routes, and the Iasi Routes, with great emphasis on existing Jewish heritage landmarks, such as synagogues and other buildings that once housed famous Jewish residents or organizations. At the same time, we also highlight the monuments built in memory of those who did not return after the Second World War. Each Family Roots Journey is personally dedicated to family histories and individual stories, and we often find new stories while traveling. In this way, we give families the invaluable chance to walk in the footsteps of their forefathers. [caption id="attachment_40001" align="alignnone" width="1500"] Photo by: Daniel Gruenfeld | Early morning hours, Sighet emerges between the dense fog and the sun raising - a common sight during summer days.[/caption] As for those who do not have familial ties to the area, we find that touring these regions is also personally enriching, as many sites are recognized by UNESCO. While traveling, visitors can learn about local folklore, the artistic and architectural heritage of wooden and painted churches, and the unique regional artisanal traditions. The regions also offer an array of summer festivals, making May-late October the best time to visit.

The Sighet Jewish Cemetery

The Sighet Jewish Cemetery is about 300 years old, however many of the original tombstones are not to be found any more due to weather erosion and the materials the tombstones were made of. Sighet was the capital of Chassidut movement, frequently visited by Jews from all around Europe. Today, many Chassidim are coming to pay homage the “Famous Rabbis Ohel” many feel that writing notes, praying and making a pilgrimage will cure their health conditions, bring a match to single persons and so on.

The Sephardic Synagogue

The Jewish community of Pre-WW II Sighet had many synagogues and Shtebels (a small synagogue next to a home) with about a dozen large ones, serving the various religious denominations. The main larger synagogues belonged to orthodox and neolog Judaism. Neolog Judaism originated among a segment of Hungarian Jews, who integrated the emancipation decrees. The Conservative Movement evolved from Neolog Judaism Post WW II. Today the one and only remaining synagogue is the Sephardic Synagogue, also known as the Wijnitzer Klaus Synagogue. It was built in 1902 in an eclectic Moresque style, and was restored in 2004. The synagogue was a Vijnitzer Kloiz, and has nothing to do with the name “Klaus”. There is no daily or holidays Minyan, only when large groups are visiting the city.

The Memorial Monument

About 2300 Jews returned to Sighet following the liberation in 1945. All came home to look for family members and relatives, but unfortunately, very few were united with their families. Some started new families or left to Israel to start a new life. However before leaving, a group decided to create this enormous monument on the exact location where the largest Synagogue in Sighet stood until it was set on fire. Commemoration services are held at the site during the year or by request.

Sighet Foundation Headquarters at the Kahan Court

Located today on George Doja Street No. 67, this street was also known by pre-Holocaust Jewish Community as the Yiddische Gass -connecting the former Jewish neighbourhood to the town's main street extending Cusa Voda. The Kahanas were a well established and rich family in Sighet, owning numerous food stores and a restaurant. On Fridays, just before the Sabbath, the Kahana family would make food packeges for the poor of Sighet. Kahana Court was the centre of Jewish life in Sighet. The Beis Jacov Girl's school was located in the main building. In the court most of the craftsmen, shoemakers, tailors, saddle makers, millnary, had their shops. The court was for evening cultural programs and meetings of the Jewish Community. After the deportation of the Jews from Sighet, the court remained abonded. Today parts of the court accomodates a few small shops and the Tarbut Foundation's offices. The rest of the building is in need of restauration. Tarbut headquorters is a meeting place for tourists and descendants’ coming to explore their roots in Sighet, workshops are being held for high school students and adults during Jewish Heritage Days and other cultural activities Tarbut organizes. Tarbut set-up a mini Musuem with special displays of Jewish artifacts, represeanting the local Jewish Community.

The Drimer House in the Sighet Village Museum

The Sighet Village Museum is located about 3 km outside of the city, in a forest area. One can visit various wooden houses representing the diverse folkloric building styles of the many nationalities who lived or still live in the region. The Drimer historical house was brought from Birsana, and opened officially May 2014. Mr. Drimer was a Rabbi, Shohet (a person certified by a Rabbi or Jewish court of law to slaughter animals for food in the manner prescribed by Jewish law) and Melamed (Teacher). His house was a synagogue and a welcoming place for all travelers in the area for lodging. Rabbi Drimer’s House is in full tact as he lived in it for many years before he was deported to Auschwitz in 1944. The Village Museum is open year round. It is recommended to visit it between the months of May-November while the weather is pleasant.

The Sighet Train Station

This is Sighet’s main train station from which tens of thousands of Jews were deported during the Holocaust. A plaque marking the 70th commemoration event to the deportations can be found at the entrance on the station’s wall.

Jewish Heritage Route in Romania

The Sighet Jewish Cemetery

The Sighet Jewish Cemetery is about 300 years old, however many of the original tombstones are not to be found any more due to weather erosion and the materials the tombstones were made of. Sighet was the capital of Chassidut movement, frequently visited by Jews from all around Europe. Today, many Chassidim are coming to pay homage the “Famous Rabbis Ohel” many feel that writing notes, praying and making a pilgrimage will cure their health conditions, bring a match to single persons and so on.

The Sephardic Synagogue

The Jewish community of Pre-WW II Sighet had many synagogues and Shtebels (a small synagogue next to a home) with about a dozen large ones, serving the various religious denominations. The main larger synagogues belonged to orthodox and neolog Judaism. Neolog Judaism originated among a segment of Hungarian Jews, who integrated the emancipation decrees. The Conservative Movement evolved from Neolog Judaism Post WW II. Today the one and only remaining synagogue is the Sephardic Synagogue, also known as the Wijnitzer Klaus Synagogue. It was built in 1902 in an eclectic Moresque style, and was restored in 2004. The synagogue was a Vijnitzer Kloiz, and has nothing to do with the name “Klaus”. There is no daily or holidays Minyan, only when large groups are visiting the city.

The Memorial Monument

About 2300 Jews returned to Sighet following the liberation in 1945. All came home to look for family members and relatives, but unfortunately, very few were united with their families. Some started new families or left to Israel to start a new life. However before leaving, a group decided to create this enormous monument on the exact location where the largest Synagogue in Sighet stood until it was set on fire. Commemoration services are held at the site during the year or by request.

Sighet Foundation Headquarters at the Kahan Court

Located today on George Doja Street No. 67, this street was also known by pre-Holocaust Jewish Community as the Yiddische Gass -connecting the former Jewish neighbourhood to the town's main street extending Cusa Voda. The Kahanas were a well established and rich family in Sighet, owning numerous food stores and a restaurant. On Fridays, just before the Sabbath, the Kahana family would make food packeges for the poor of Sighet. Kahana Court was the centre of Jewish life in Sighet. The Beis Jacov Girl's school was located in the main building. In the court most of the craftsmen, shoemakers, tailors, saddle makers, millnary, had their shops. The court was for evening cultural programs and meetings of the Jewish Community. After the deportation of the Jews from Sighet, the court remained abonded. Today parts of the court accomodates a few small shops and the Tarbut Foundation's offices. The rest of the building is in need of restauration. Tarbut headquorters is a meeting place for tourists and descendants’ coming to explore their roots in Sighet, workshops are being held for high school students and adults during Jewish Heritage Days and other cultural activities Tarbut organizes. Tarbut set-up a mini Musuem with special displays of Jewish artifacts, represeanting the local Jewish Community.