Romania notes: Alba Iulia, Harlau, Focsani synagogue restoration

The restoration of the synagogue in Alba Iulia, Romania is “95 percent complete,” and the building will be rededicated next year, reports Lucia Apostol, deputy director of the Federation of Romania Jewish Communities’ department for the development and preservation of Jewish heritage.

Completed in 1840, the synagogue stands at 2, Tudor Vladimirescu Street; it is believed to be the first masonry synagogue in Transylvania.

In recent years the municipal administration has launched efforts to restore Jewish heritage in the city, with particular emphasis on the old Jewish cemetery.

Established in the 18th century and still used by the town’s tiny Jewish community, the cemetery is believed to be the oldest Jewish cemetery in Transylvania and one of the oldest in Romania.  Extending over about 21,500 square meters, it includes 2,038 graves and 1,960 stones. It was used both by the initial Sephardic community but also by the Ashkenazi community, which over time became the majority in the town.

You can click HERE to see a video about the cemetery and synagogue projects. Click HERE to see a Center for Jewish Art documentation of the synagogue from the 1990s.

In addition, Lucia Apostol tells us that the structural restoration of the Great Synagogue in Harlau is nearing  completion, and FEDROM is seeking funds for the restoration of the interior paintings. The synagogue, the only one of five to remain standing in Harlau, was built in 1812-1814; its vivid wall paintings are believed to date from the mid-1920s and painted by artist Sloime Mendel. Click HERE to see pix of the synagogue interior on Facebook and HERE for further pictures and Jewish history of the town.