ROM-SIG NEWSA Special Interest Group Journal for

ROMANIAN JEWISH GENEALOGY

A Is o in this issue .

...but first a word from your editor ..A visit to post-glasnost Chernovtsy .Borsayizkor book index ofnames ..Scot Missionaries in Romania in 1839

Family Stories

Volume 3, Number 4

.2

.3

.6

.7

24

About Birlad, from Pinkas has Kahillot 25Romanian Genealogical Research addresses 28From our Readers 29

Regions ofRomania 30

plusthe completeRomanian FAMILY FINDER

... beginning on Page 13

Summer 1995

ROM-SIG NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

... but first, a word from your editorThe Romanian Family Finder dominates this issue of ROM-SIGNEWS ... and for

a very good reason. It is the most comprehensive list ofsurnames and towns from thatcountry being soughtby Jewish genealogists aroundtheworld. In compiling the listswe have noted many possible matchups ofsimilarnames from the same towns thatcould possiblybe from the same family. Lookover the listscarefully, keeping in mindthatsimilarspellings might possibly be the same (i.e. Abramovici, Abramowitz andAbramovitz). Also,don't take forgrantedthe towns your grandparents told you theycame from are correct. Theymay have come from a nearbyvillage, or they gaveyouthe name ofthe province, not the town.

We also conclude the fascinating narrative of Scottish missionaries in Romaniaduringthe High Holy days of 1839. This issue, they are in Iasi for Yom Kippur. Youwill also find interesting reading in the translation ofthe Pinkos ha Kehillot aboutBirlac.

We startwitha visit to Chernovtsy,courtesy ofour British genealogists. You willalsofindan index of the names of Jews from the town of Borsa,courtesyof Ted Gos-tin. Togetherwith other contributions by our members, this issue of our journal becomes the largest single issue we have published, and it could be one of the most usefulin the pursuits ofyour research ofour Romanian ancestors.

... about the future

ROM-SIG NEWS takes on a new dimension as we progress into our fourth year ofpublication. MarleneZakai,a contributing member ofthe advisory board, willtake overas editor with our next issue. A number ofothers have also volunteeredto help in future issues and she willundoubtably be contactingthem. Sinceshe is from Washington, DC, we could see more from the resource centers ofour nation's capital. Her forteis Bessarabia.

Sam Elpem, who has been the business brains behind ROM-SIG since its inception, willbe taking on additional duties by producing our newsletter. A programmer byprofession, he willbe in chargeoftypesettingand layout, as wellas the printing anddistribution ofROM-SIG NEWS.

In all,it looks like a well-balanced team to continue our growth and maturity inproviding our members with information about our Romanian specialty.

... and to all, some final thoughts...TheWashington seminarto me was one of the most delightful fewdays of my life.

I had the opportunity to meet so many ofour ROM-SIG members for the first time.Although I had talked to many ofyou over the phone, exchanged e-mail messages orletters, it was that face-to-face meeting that reinforced my belief that Romanian descendants are warmer, kinder... and more emotionally involved... than most othergenealogists.

Our Romanian special interest group meeting outnumbered most ofthe other specialinterest groups withmore than 40 of us discussingour individual problems. Weeven had a "matchup" of cousins as we went around the room disclosing the surnamesand towns we were researching.

I want you all to know that I sincerely have enjoyed these past two years as ROM-SIG's "temporary" editor. And I will always treasure the joys I gained in making contact with most ofyou. I intend to continue as an active member of ROM-SIG and tomake my contributions to its future. My mailbox and telephone, as well as my doorbell,are allopen to any ofyou. Ifyou think I can help, please call on me.

And finally my many, sincere thanks for allowing me to be a part ofyour genealogicallife.

GenesStcuyv

ROM-SIG NEWS

ASpecialJrt*f$*t£ty!4>.«$>MA$4?<jr ,ROMANIAN JEWISH GENEALOGY

I;:;::.:-:;:;:::::-;:-::-::-:::

is published quarterly by members ofthe Romanian Special Interest Group, avolunteer organization, who are interested in sharing their experiences as theyresearch information about their Jewish

ancestors. Annual dues are $20.00.

The purpose of ROM-SIG NEWS isto enlighten, encourage and entertainthose doing Romanian Jewish genealogical study.

ROM-SIGNEWS-*$ governedbyan editorial board consistingof

Sam Eipem, Paul Pascal,Gene Stani and Marlene Zakai

Editor- GENE STARN

All communications regarding subscriptions, checks, receipt of issues and similar matters should be sent to:

ROM-SIG NEWS

c/o Sam Elpem27 Hawthorne St

Greenwich, CT 06831203-531-6801

E-mail: samelpern@aol.com

All editorial communication, includingarticles, information, photographs, manuscripts, family finders, etc., should besent to:

ROM-SIG NEWS

c/o Marlene Zakai

11908 Tildenwood Dr.

Rockville, MD 208S2301-231-9131

E-Mail: zakai@aoI.com

Articles and information should be sub

mitted written clearly or printed, preferablytypewritten, double-spaced, or on IBMcompatible disk. Please do not send original photographs or documents; send copies.Any material submitted will be returnedupon request.

We thank all of those who contributed to

this issue ofROM-SIG NEWS. Their name

appears alongside the article, letter, photoor information, etc.

ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL3, No. 4, Summer 1995

fl vk»d to ifu»t-$U*txAd CHERNOVTSYby Dr. H. Jarvis

Reprinted from Shemot, with permission ofthe Jewish Genealogical Society ofGreat Britain

PROLOGUETraosluledfrom Tha History oftheJevta qfC&arnpwitz OI [Aviv, 1963

"Once upon a time, long before the Hitler era, yet stillwithin our lifetime, the Jews of Czernowitz firmly believed thatthis town, which they loved,was theirhome. Even the treacherous behavior of the then-Romanian government could notmarthe deeply-rooted attachmentthey felt for the town. It wasnot until the outbreak ofthe Second World War that (fcsillusion-ment ultimately came.

"While so-called Christian friends came to visit the ghettoin order to trade money and valuables with feigned sympathyand empty promises;whik the expulsion of the Jews wascelebrated with a bunting display on the town han, while the mobrobbed and sneered and the authorities declared open seasonfor Jews,while Romanian police sold them openly to the peasants, free tomurderand rob thecorpses, and while in the death

THE JOURNEYIn June 1987, accompanied by my son, I visited the family

graves in Bucharest and thereafter the town of Czernowitz, nowcalled Chernovtsy, which I had left as a boy in 1938. Flying in arather ancient Ilyushin, we arrived ultimately at the new luxuriousHotel Bucuresti where Premier Gorbachov was expected to staythe following day on a state visit. Whether one exchangedmoney at the official rate of 16 lei, or accepted the tempting 60 leito the pound freely available everywhere, depended on how adventurous one dared to be. The official rate with its severely depressed purchasing power did not appear designed to encouragetourism, to say the least. A well-stocked, duty-free, hard currencyshop in the hotel seemed open to the elegantly dressed Romanianspeaking elite, who were observed to carry away some 40 poundsof imported coffee and a couple of thousand foreign cigarettes inone trip; articles not available to the man in the street.

The guide from the official state tourist office took us on acity tour pointing out, with pride, monuments erected to the"honor of the victories of the glorious Romanian army over Nazifascists, in the Second World War." From the main railway station in the capital, where a comparison of the state of the restaurant and toilets to the slums of the remotest Orient would be

considered invidious, we boarded the Varna-Bucharest-Kiev Express which makes a scheduled stop at Chernovtsy.

The many thousands ofpounds spent on gaily decorating theroute for the Gorbachov state visit with flowers, flags, photos andpatriotic slogans of undying friendship could have been betterspent on upgrading this pestilential, vile-smelling utility. On theimpressivelylong (20 coaches) train, First Class means buying theother two Rexine covered bunks in order to avoid the prevalent

marches and in the death camps of Transrristria men, womenandchildren died agonizingly of hunger;, frost and torture, withthe burning of the Temple and the srght of Jews being killedwith such fervor, it was then that their lastillusions were finallyshattered; the Jews here had no home.

"The fewwho escaped thishell and thosewho hadleft thetownbefore thiscatastrophewere realhitman beings, deeply attached to the lovmg memories of their own youth. All menhold dear the town where they uttered their first words and tooktheir first steps* where they attended school and where, underthe loving care of devoted parents, they ultimately matured.These attachments have been severed forever and only profound griefnowremains. Thisbookisdedicated tothe Jews ofGzemowitZv scattered all over the worid» who cannot forgettheir towhi"

malodorous feet and armpits of fellow travellers, especially ascompartment windows are bolted and one is firmly discouragedby the attendant from openingthe window opposite in the corridor. Passports were examined twice, and as no restaurant car wasavailable we were given glasses of hot Russian tea (from China)and retired to our bunks for a few hours sleep until we wereawakened by a hammering on the door and shouts of "Granitsa,Granitsa."

We had arrived at the Romanian frontier town of Vadul Siretwhere we were subjected to a fairly thorough examination ofdocuments and belongings by the police, with special emphasison gold, currency and firearms. Forms for completion for thenext stop, Porubnoe Halt, the Russian check point a mile furtheron, were handed out Here the train stopped, enveloped on bothsides by the glaring floodlights and there were yet more knockson the compartment door. An officer and two solidiers stoodoutside and we were invited to step into the corridor where ourpassports and visas were checked and taken away.

The two soldiers, equipped with torches and screwdrivers,entered the compartments and commenced a prolonged and detailed search during which they dismantled the ceiling panels withtheir fluorescent lights, opened floor compartments under the carpets, searched behind pelmets and luggage racks, inspected thebedding in detail and finally withdrew without uttering a word.Another officer and a woman of some 45 years of age then appeared and, with an over-friendly grin, she introduced herself:

"I am from the Intourist office here to help you. Please tellme why you want to go to Chernovtsy?"

(Continued on the nextpage)

ROM-SIG NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

Continuedfrom the previous page

I explained that 1 wished to show my son, bom in England,the town and villages where his grandparents and mine had livedand where I attended school during my earlyyears.

"But why you stay only one night. Please explain me?" shequeried.

I said that we had important engagements back home thatweek and could not spare any more time.

"You have, maybe friends in Chernovtsy?" she asked. "Youknow, maybe, somebody there?"

"No," I said."Excuseme please, my Englishis not very good, you explain

me again why you want to go toChernovtsy?"

It now became evident that we

were being grilled by the KGB and nothelped by Intourist.

"What is your work in England?"she wanted to know.

I pointed out that my profession,doctor, was on the passport.

"What kind of doctor?" she

insisted.

"For anaesthesia," was my reply."Youhave only one son?""No, I have a married daughter.""Why is your wife not traveling

with you?1'"Because she is not well enough.""Have you been to Russia before?""Yes, to Leningrad and Moscow, a

few years ago,.Allthis information I had already given, ofcourse, in my visa

application form and it was undoubtedly stored in the embassycomputer here. My son was also subjected to a lengthy interviewwith such banal questions as, "What is your profession?" and"Why are you not married?" "I am interested, you know,. Pleaseexplain me. In England people don't asked questions?"

I could contain my patience no longer and interjected with,"No, in England we respect other people's privacy." This washardly a helpful remark and it only hardened her hitherto meli-fluous kind of questioning. The officer, her companion who nodoubt was also an English-speaking KGB agent, began to searchour belongings with an almost maniacal thoroughness, palpatingthe seams at the bottom of the trousers inch by inch; the contentsof all the packed garments were turned out, together with alldocuments, papers, letters, books, journals, visiting and creditcards, and stocked in one pile and taken off the train.

Yet another officer, of extreme youth, arrived with our passports in his hand, asked us both to "Please stand", scmtinized usfor a couple of minutes and then invited us to give our dates ofbirth.

The Intourst lady now returned with all the papers andshowed particular interest in a Masonic ritual book and some

typewritten notes on the same subject which we had on us."Beeble," she asked, "like Mormons, maybe?"

"No, not exactly," I said."My English is not very good. You explain me.""It is a ritual."

"What kind ritual?"

"A ritual of a brotherhood."

"What kind ofbrotherhood? Please tell me?"

"It has many members in the British Commonwealth," I answered evasively.

"What is the purpose of this brotherhood?""Well, er ~ it's a sort ofphilosophical society," I waffled on."Tellme, please, where you meet for this?"

"In Great Queen Street," I mumbled.We were obviously getting nowhere

and she gave up this subject."Who is Mr. Trueman?" she enquired.

In the middle of the night, 300 km fromChernobyl At first I had no idea whothis man was. I then recalled that the

visiting card they had found in my jacket pocket had been given to me weeksearlier at a dinner party in London.

Another card found on me promptedthe next penetratingly searchingquestion.

"What is Watford Taxi?"

I mention the intenogation in detail asit highlights the initatingly counterproductive bureaucratic waste of manpower, where eight individuals were required to admit, over a period of two

hours, two foreign tourists. The train remained at the frontier forsix hours for examination of travellers and a change from nanowto wide gauge track; the time allowed officials is two hours.

As dawn was breaking we arrived at the main railway stationat Chernovtsy. Because ofthe inordinate length of the train, onlyeight coaches were opposite a platform and passengers had tojump with their luggage some three feet on to the track thick withdiesel oil. The beautiful, Austrian-built railway station had beencompletely "Russianized" and was packed to capacity.

A driver had been sent for us and we were taken to the out

skirts of the town, to a huge housing development known as NewCemovtsy, where the imposing four-month-old Hotel Czeremoshwas situated. It took three clerks in turn, over a period of 24hours, to upgrade our second class sleeper, by telex to Kiev,allegedly because of the heavy volume of traffic. We found outlater that the entire sleeping car was virtually unoccupied. Wewere overcharged LI 5 for this dubious privilege.

The restaurant at the Hotel Czeremosh, which has a seatingcapacity for 600 people, was almost deserted at lunchtime. Myattempts to converse in French, German, English or Italian drew ablank. The waitress mtimated she could, besides Russian, also

(Continued on the next page)

Ukraine

ROM-SIG NEWS, Vol 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

Continued from the previous page

speak "Ukrainsky". Few of the dishes on the large menu shownto us were available. No prices were given, only the quantity ingrams;payment was strictly in roubles only; no credit cards wereaccepted; and tips were strictly refused.

After lunch, our guide Natasha Masly, to whom we were allocated, took me to the Ehrector ofTourism to whom I had to givea very detailed explanation of the reasons for wanting to visit theneighboring villages. Permission granted, we paid L48 for theguide and taxi for two hours and set off first to visit my birthplace, the village of Velki Cuciuriv. After an absence of50 years Ihad httle difficulty in guiding the driver to the chalet bungalowowned by my parents and from where my late father practised ascommunity physician.

The once elegant building was now painted dark brown, thebalcony had rotted away, as well as the verandah, there were nofences or gates, no bam, no garage, no summer kitchen, no roseor fruit gardens, and the upper floor windows were broken. Afew stray chickens and some women in white overalls and capsroamed about the yard.

The building, I was told, was now a maternity home. Thelittle steibel or prayer house across the road has disappeared andground left fallow. A neighbor, a friendly retired Ulaainian armyofficer in uniform, remembered my father, Dr. Jaslowitz, and yetanother old lady in a house nearby began to weep when I told herI was the child she once knew as Malenki Horsticu. I was invited

to visit our house. The once elegant staircase was painted canaryyellow, embellished with green and brown dots; the waiting roomwas a store for enemas and the consulting room full of cots; otherrooms were occupied by nursing mothers. The upstairs bedroom,with its broken windows, and in disrepair, was unoccupied.

Our visit had not gone unnoticed. Someone had phoned thelocal GP, who arrived in a jeep to meet us. We were unable toconverse as he only spoke Russian. We shook hands and left tovisit the village of Valokanearby where the house once owned bymy grandparents stood in the village square. A red flag flyingfrom its rust roof indicated that it was now the official partyheadquarters.

Here again the once fruitful gardens and fields showed no attemptat cultivation. The rusty old sheetmetal roof had been putup in 1930 after the local peasants had set fire to grandma's houseduring the night, in order to eliminate competition to their own,fascist-owned, grocery shop across the road. Some village eldersgathered aroundus and lost little time in mforming our guide Natasha that the previous owners were Toti Evrei - all Jews. I wassorelytempted to ask them about a day in 1942when they chasedmy frail oldgrandfather up into theloft and then threwhim,alive,into the yard below. The injured old man was then shot, like ananimal, by jeering peasants as he tried to crawl to safety in hisnearby field. I had seen enough, felt rather depressed and returned to the hotel for the night.

The following morning a crowded No. 6 trolleybus took uspast endlessgrey apartmentblocks on a 15-minuteride to the Old

Town, the terminus behind the Franz Josefs Park, close to myhome in Czernowitz. The building owned by my grandmotherand now in Boulevard Lenin was in a terrible state, the two frontshops bricked up to make extra living rooms, the gates and entrance unpainted and unwashed, the staircase rusted and brokenand the gardenat the back a muddy grass field. Dirtyrusty balconies had washing hanging out and top apartments had brokenwindows. It was obvious that Communism had a great propensity for tnrning wealth into abject poverty.

Walking down to the town center, we only saw about five orsix shops where previously there had been some 20 excellentshops on eitherside of the street,mostly Jewishowned. One soldbooks, another cloth and one was a watch repairer. All monuments and statues had been removed and replaced, banks and hotels were non-existent in the center and apart from a few moreshops selling some fish and groceries, the once busy town of100,000 inhabitants had little to offer except cakes or lemonadefrom stalls on the pavement.

A large vegetablemarket with some 60 stalls did a brisk tradein spring onions and radishes; one enterprisingwoman had a dishof pickled cucumbers on offer. The imposing building onceknown as the Judisches Kulturhaus was now a cinema and the

elegant Herrengasse with its rich shops and office houses wasdesolate with broken and uneven paving stones.

We lunched at the four-year-old Hotel Bukovina, already indisrepair. The menu had some 50 dishes but all that was availablewas vegetable soup, fish and warm lemonade. Food was servedfrom 12 noon to 2 p.m. and beer from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.,, the totalcost of the meal being about L2 for both.

We returned to the bus stop where we were offered assistance by a poorly dressed little man, more than 60, who spokeGerman. I whispered softly: "Ihr red Yiddish?"

He replied equally furtively: "Ich red Yiddish. Ich bin vinWarshav."

All eyes at the bus stop were on us. We boarded togetherand I tried to find out what conditions were like for the Jews in

Chernovtsy, how many were left, and what exit permits, if any,were being granted?

He was evasive and obviously frightened, and with a briefgoodbye wave he hurried away without looking back. Our returnjourney of 18 hours consisted of a relatively brief inspection atthe frontier.

EPILOGUE

From the leaflet Welcome to Chernovtsy, issued by the In-tourist office:

"The capital of Soviet Bukovina extends a cordialand hospitable welcome to its guests. In Sovietskaya Square stands themonument of the liberation of Bukovina from the fascist occupation in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union (1941-1945).Of the restaurants, the HotelBukovin offers a variety oftemptingEuropean and national dishes and the products of the Bukovi-na.craftsmen are the fruits of joyous and inspired labor. Chernovtsy offers its guests an almost bewildering choice ofsouvenirswhich will linger in your memory.

WELCOME TO CHERNOVTSY."

ROM-SIG NEWS, Vol 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

An index ofnames:

The Borsa yizkor bookLocated in north central Romania in the Carpathian Mountains

along the Viseu River lies the town of Borsa. Before WorldWar n,Borsa claimed a Jewish population of about 2,500.

Ted Gostin, a professional genealogist from Pasadena, Calif, hasbeenworking onan atlas he plans to publish that will show street mapsof shtetls along with accompanying information, his source comingfrom Yizkor books like the one about Borsa.

He has kindly consented to allow us to publish his list of namesfrom the Borsa book that includes 95% to 98% of the names on themap. He tells us a few of the names were illegibleor only first nameswere shown, and thus are left out of our list.

Weshow thesurnames incapital letters, followed byvarious givennamss ofthe people Gostin found in the Borsa book.

ABENSTEIN Chaim

ABRAHAM Yosef

ADLER Eliezer, Meshulam, Moshe Hersh, Shlomo Alter, Yitzhak Manashah,Zeidel

APEL Benjamin, David, Shmuel, YisraelAFTER Eli-Melekh, Hersh, Mendel Moshe, Meyer, Mordechai, Moshe

Leib, Shimon, Wolf Yisrael, Yisrael, Yisrael Fisher, ZevARSTOLESH Abraham Yitzhak, Arye-DovCOHEN Menaham, MendelDASKEL Shlomo, Yakob-EliezerEINHORN Moshe, YosefFARKASH Ben Zion

FETKES Meshulam

FISH Aharon, Ben Zion (owned a mill), Chaim-Shmuel, Shlomo,Yakov (Yankel)

FISHER David, Fishel, Shmuel, YisraelFISHMAN Eliezer

FOOEL Aryeh, David-Herah, Moshe-Arye, Pinchas, Yakhov LeibFREE Motl (Valter ShmuelX Shraga-Feivish, Yisrael-YakbovFREID Alter, Baruch, Cbaim (trusteeX Chana-Eliezer, Eber, Eliezer,

Mordechai (Mosbe-LeX Mordechai-Hersh, Yisrael, Yosl,Yosl (MentzesX Zev

FUCHS Melacha

GANTZ Alter, Anshil, Ben-Zion, Chaim-Meyer, David, Ezra, Mechil(watchmaker), Meyer, Mordechai, Pinchas, Yisrael, Yitzhak,Yosef-Yontel (Mi's)

OENOD AbrahamWolf,Alter, Ldzer, Mordechai (Motele)OUK. Hersh, MeyerGRINBERO Eliya-MenasheGRINGLAZ TaviArtyehGRTNSPAN Eliezer, Naftali, WolfHALPER Meyer, MiryamHAR Iser.IserHFJNIK Freida-Ekeh

HELER Aizik-Yisrael (toizenter)HERSHTK Alter, Eliyah-Hersh, Mel, Nachman, Shmuel, Tsvi, Yakov,

Yehudah-Hersh, Yftzhak-BerHUZ Eliezer. Moishe rhaim

INDK Chaim Leib, YakovKAHANA Shalom (Gedaliah's)KASYERER Fishel

KAUFMAN David, Hersh

KERN Yakhov

KTLIN Leib

KIND David Hersh

KLEISTER Moshe Chaim

KOPLER Yitzhak

KREITZER Anshil

LACHS Shlomo, ShmuelLETBOVrrZ Shlomo

LETBOWTTZ Natan-Eli

T.KIPRK Aizik

LEIPER Leibush

LERNER

MAIZLER

MALIK

MARKOVITZ

MENDEL

Eliyah-HershEliezer

EliyahAHcr, Fishel, MosheIde-Hersh

MENDELOVrrZ Abraham Leib, Aharon, Chaim-Yisrael, Eliyah, Meyer, ModecbaiDavid, Shlomo, Shlomo-Baruch, ShmueL,ShmueL, Tsvi, Eliyah,Mordcai-David

Shmuel

EliyahEzriel, Yoel, ShmuelHersh, Chaim, Yekhiel MendelNachum

Abrashka, Anshel, Chaim, Eli, Eliezer (son of HezkelX Ezra,Mattithiah (M&ies), Meyer, Mordechai, Moshe, Shmuel,Yehudah-Hersh, Yehudah-Meyer, Yisrael, Yisrael, Yisrael(Hezkel'sX Yitzhak (Leah-Yente's), Yosef

Ytzhak

Alter, Alter, Alter, Eliezer, Hershel, Hertz, Morah-Leib, Moshe,Moshe-Leib, Toviyah, Yisrael Eliyohu, Yitzhak, Yitzhak,Yitzhak (Moshe LeibX Zeidel (Shlomo-Yosef)

Mendelets

Abraham Hersh

Gersbon

Baruch-Mendel, Leah, ZevAlter, Berl, Raphael, Tobiyah, YehoshuaAbraham

Chahn-Eliezer, Moshe-Macbel, Shloim, Yakhov (Ldbuahes),Yakhov (ShalonrsX Yosl (mailman)

Tsvi

Yitzhak

Abraham, Chaim, Chaim Ariyeh, Chaim Eliezer, David (thetailorX Hershel, Mordechai, Moshe, Shlomo-Aizik, Shlomo-Hersh (graber)

Yisrael, Zeidel (Sarah Leah's)Meshulim (the doctor)Shimon

SHELBERBOIM Mordechai-David

SHIMON Mordechai-David

SHTMONOWITZ Yosr-Chaim

SHINDER Yakob

SHLOMOVTTZ ShlomoBer

Eliezer

Yosef

Eliezer

Abraham, Alter, Alter-Chaim, Baruch, Chaim-Meyer.Chanina,Chalrael Lazarus, Chsya Rivke (Feivl'sX Ezra^Ezra, Hershel,Meyer, Meyer, Mordechai, Moshe, Moshe, Nachum-Leib,Shlomo, Yakhov, Yisrael (TsicmovitzXYosef-Aizik, YoslBaruch, Baruch, Eliezer (Lazar), Yekhiel Mecbel

Chaim Hersh (Lane'sX Eliezer, Eliezer, Eliezer, Ezra, Ezrya,Fishel, Hersh, Hershl (MakesbesX Idc-Leib, Menashe,Moshe Leib, Mosbel Smrniel, Pinchas, Rivke, Sender, SbeL.Shlomo Chaim, Velvet (Haskell Gedaliyah'sX Wolf Hertzes,Wolf Moshe^, YakhovEliezer, Yakov(He^X Zev

Moshe, Yitzhak Left)Eliezer

Chaim Eliezer, Eliezer, Eliyahu, Fishl (Yoel-Dayicfs) MendelShmuel, Moshe, Yitzhak

Yitzhak

Ezra

Moshe (the judge), Israel (der Rov"sX YoelCheinik-Leib, Hershel (Idis*sX YoelYisrael (Hersbel-Mendel-Fciv)Pinchas

VERTZBERGER Baruch, Berl, Cbaim, Chaim-Mendel, Mordechai, Mordechai,Moshe, Moshe, Moshe, Moshe-Eliezer, Shlomo, Shlomo,Shoal-Leib, Tsvi, Yakhov, Yekhiel, Yisrael, Yitzhak-Aizik

Alter, Alter-Udel, Netaniel, Tachnal, Yitzhak, Yitzhak, YitzhakAlter, Ocdaliyah-Hereh, Shlctno-Yai±OT

Moshe-Mendel

Yudel

Chaya-ReizemMordechai (Shlomo's)

MORDECHAI

MosKovrrz

NEILANDER

PEPEL

PERL

POLLAK

popovttz

PROCTER

PROTER

RATCH

REB

REEL

ROBINSTEIN

ROCH

ROZBNBERG

RUT

SABAK

SABOI

SACHS

SALAMAN

SHECHTER

SHNETDER

SHRATZ

SHTOIBER

STEIMETZ

S1E1N

STEINER

STEINFELD

STERN

TETLER

TSIG

VALDMAN

VALTER

VEG

VETSBERO

VTDER

VEEL

YAKOBOVITZ

YAMPOL

YITZHAK

ZIS?

ROM-SIG NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

Scot Missionaries to Jews in Romania in 1839High Holy days, other impressions they had 150 years ago

EDITOR'S NOTE: In 1839 the Church ofScotland sent missionariesinto Europe to convert Jews, They published a book of theirjourneys, "Narrative of a Mission of Inquiry to the Jews in1839." Quotingfrom thepreface ofthis old book: "The writershad only one object in viewduring theirjourney, namely to seethe realcondition and characterof God'sancientpeople, and toobserve whatever might contribute to interest others in theircause."

The Church of Scotland felt "it our duty and our privilegeto promote the cause of the Jews among our brethren. If theChurch 'take hold ofthe skirt ofthe Jew, 'God may remember her

for Zion'ssake."In our last issue we excerpted the arrival of the mission to

Romania and their visits to Galafi (Galatz), Buchurest, Vasluiand surrounding towns including the celebration of RoshHashanah. In thefollowing excerpts, we conclude theirjourneyduring Yom Kippur in Iasi and other communities that were apart of Romania at one time..

* * *

We entered Jassy (Iasi) before sunset and passed through longstreets of artisans, the houses all of one story and poorer than those ofBucharest. The Jews were busily employed in shutting up their shopsand dressing. Many families were already on their way to thesynagogue for no one would be absent on so solemn an occasion as thebeginning of the Day of Atonement Many of them were fine-lookingmen, and the Jewesses were beautifully attired, some wearing jewels.

Putting up our carriage we hastened to the synagogue which wcfound full, and there were many children. The Absolution Chant,known as "Col Nidre," had been sung before we entered. This wewished much to have heard, the tune being plaintive and beautiful andone whichthe Jews believe was brought from Sinai.

Three rabbis stand up dressed in white, and in their own name andin the name of God, absolve all in the synagogue from the Binscommitted in the year past. The number of large candles lighted andthe multitude of worshippers made the atmosphere quite oppressive inall the synagogues we visited; and the perspiration was running downin streams from the zealous devotees, whose cries and frantic earnestness mightbe heard afar off.

They clapped their hands, clasped them, wrung them, struck theprayerbook, beat upon their breast, and writhed their bodies, againreminding us of the Jews of Saphet and Tiberias. On this occasion, theJews keep up prayer all night and all the next day till the time ofevening when "the stars appear."

Early next day (Sept. 18) we sought out the synagogue again, theJews came up to the solemnity of the atonement from the country, asthey did to Jerusalem in former days. We visited twelve of theirsynagogues and found all crowded with men, women and children inthe same manner as the previous night.

At one of them we saw many mothers with their children at thebreast or in cradles sitting on the outside dressed in their finest clothes.It reminded us of the fast described by Joel, "Assemble the elders,gather the children, and those that suck the breasts. " As there was notsufficient room within, many men were sitting under the shade of thewalls looking with their faces towards Jerusalem andpraying along

with those inside.

The floor of the synagogue waB, for the most part, strewn with strawor hay to add to the comfort of the worshippers in their long service,for most of them put offtheir shoes, the day being so holy. All day thesynagogue is full of immense lighted candles. Each family providedone and each member has a thread in the wick of the candle. TheBerepresent the soul of each person according to their interpretation ofthe Proverb, The spirit of man in the candle of the Lord." On sosolemn a day as this, no Jew will touch one of these candles evenwereit to fall and endanger the safety of the synagogue. To do so would beaccounted servile work, and therefore they employ a Gentile servant,who is called inwhen any lights require to be trimmed.

In the prayers they go over the greaterpart of Lev.xvi, in which thesacrifices of the day of atonement are described. The rest of theservice consists in reading a Hebrew poem of which we were assuredthat most of the worshipers scarcely understood one word because itis most difficult Hebrew. Yet all were engaged in reading it aloud.Sometimes they came to a chant when the deep bass voice of thechanter was contrasted with the tenor voices of a few young men. Theeffectwas often very plaintive and sometimes ludicrous.

Again and again the whole congregation broke in with 'Amen,"prounouced 'Omain." Many of the men seemed already quite weariedwith their worship, or rather with their bodily exercise, and many hadtheir eyes red and swollen with weeping. A good number of themarried men wore the n^lbtl (hahkah), or white shirt of the rabbis.Among the women some were weeping and others sobbing aloud. Afew boys were as seriously engaged as their elders.

iSfcV*&s»

There are 200 synagogues in the town and about 30 of these arelarge. In one quarter there are 20 all within the space ofa street. Someof the buildings had their roofs fancifully painted with figures representing Paradise and the Creation—wild beasts, trees and fishes, thegolden candlestick also, and table of showbread. In several partsnearthe entrance of the town we noticed the Eruv, or string stretched fromHouse to house across the street, to make it a walled town, the same aswe had observed at Saphet

We found it impossible to ascertain with accuracy the numbers ofthe Jews in Jassy. The Consul reckoned the whole population of thecity at 50,000 and the Jews at somewhat less than the half, perhaps20,000. This would coincide with the reckoning of many of the Jewsthemselves who gave their numbers at 5500 families. The highest esti-

(Continued on next page)

8 ROM-SIC NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

Scot Missionaries to Jews in Romania(Continuedfrom the previous page)

mate we heard from a very intelligent Jew was 10,000 families, whilethe lowest was 3,500, or about 15,000 souls.

They are regarded by the government as a separate community andthe capitation-tax is not levied from them individually, but from theirchief in the way they think most equal and fair. Each family, at anaverage, pays a ducat, equal to ten shillings.

The way in which the rulers of the Jews levy the tax is as follows:They lay it not on the provisions of the poor, but on articles of luxury.For example, a goose is sold for about a zvianzig, but they put a tax onit of half a zwanzig and eightparas. Tnus the rich, who wish luxuries,pay a high price for them; while the poor, who are content with thenecessaries of life, escape. They do not consider themselves oppressedby the Government but the common people use them ill. An instanceof this, we were told that a Moldavian would often reply when askedby a Jew to do something for him, "Iwould as soon do it for a Zingan."The name "Zingan," and the epithet "cursed," is often applied to them.

All the Jews here speak a corrupt dialect of German. They followall trades except that of a smith. Most are tailors, shoemakers,carpenters and watchmakers. A few are idle and sleep in the streets.

There have been about 20 converts to the Greek Church, Three ofthese are persons of respectability, one the keeper of the hotel, anothera carpenter, and the third a student at college—but all were veryignorant The Jews believe that their true reason for seeking baptismwas that they might get more freedom. It did not make any differenceinregard to their employment.

If any of the chiefJews were to profess Christianity, many wouldfollow their example. Some of them expressed their belief thatMessiah would come in the year 1840, others think it is to be in theseven-thousandth year of the world, and then a time of Sabbaths is tofollow.

There is a belief, too, among many of them, that the Russians(whom they suppose to be the Javian of Zech. ix. 13) are to have thedominion of the world.

There are manyJewish schools in Jassy, but none of themgood. Sixof the principal families have refused to send their children to any ofthese schools to be taught the Talmud because they think that suchstudies make them mean and degraded. They either send themelsewhere or employ a private tutor.

The severe discipline used in Smyrna is not altogether unknownhere, for a Jew who acted as our guide told us that his son often camehome with his ears bleeding, his hair torn out and nose twisted, all bythe barbarous treatment of the teacher, so that the father has frequentlyintended complaining to the police or sending the boy to be taught inRussia.

About six in the evening, we went to two of the largest synagoguesto see the ceremonies of the day of atonement concluded. When thesun is setting they pray for the last time and their crying out is intense,far beyond all their previous supplications; for if they do not obtainpardon of their sins before the stars appear they have no hoperemaining of obtaining forgiveness for that year. When about to uttertheir last prayer, a trumpet is sounded like that of the New Year, butonly one blast.

Then all is over! and forth they come to the lightof the risen moon,pouring like a stream from the synagogue. They stood in groups allturning their faces toward the moon,--for the Jews believe that thespots in the moon are the Shecinah. Each group had a lighted candleto enable one of theirnumber to read the prayer addressed to the

Shecinah in the moon. Some held up their hands, others roared aloud,and all showed by their gestures the intense feeling of their heart Itwas a grotesque scene, as well as peculiarly novel, to stand amid sucha company each with his high fur-cap, the tallith round his shouldersand generally hisbeard flowing wide over the book he was reading.

As we looked upon the crowds of worshippers that filled thespacious court of the synagogue and saw their white eyes ever andanon turned up toward the bright moon, we were irresistibly remindedof the days when the fathers of that singular people forsook theworship of Jehovah and "served Baal and Ashtaroth," and "made cakesto the queen ofheaven."

This service being done they appeared as if relieved from thepressure of an overwhelming load, for they had fasted and prayed for24 hours and now dispersed themselves in all directions. Many wenthomewards singing with great glee in the open streets and shoutingaloud to each other, "Peace to thee, and peace to thee!" This is said tobe donebecausetheirsins are now forgiven.

We devoted the next day (Sept. 19) entirely to visiting the Jews.First we visited a school of 30 children, both boys and girls, with fineJewish countenances. A poor sick boy lay on a couch in the sameroom, far gone in consumption. The teacher was busily employed inhis work. His method seemed to be to repeat over every syllable untileach scholar could fully pronounce it. The boys and girls got the sametuition and the prayer-book seemed to be the only schoolbook.

The children were amazed at the entrance of strangers and raneagerly round us. We learned from the teacher that the children weretaught only to read, not to understand. Nay, he himself could notexplain the words of the passage which they were reading. Whenasked why he did not explain the words, he referred to Ps. cxix. 18,"Open thou mine eyes to see wondrous things out of thy law." anddrew from it the inference that it was not to be expected that a teachershould be able to explainall that he taught.

Several Jews had by this time gathered round, to whom Mr. Caimanspoke, trying to show them how ruinous and deplorable their ignoranceof the Word of God is. They seemed convinced,--only they said it wasuniversalin Jassy.

We called at the house of the chief Rabbi where they werebeginning to erect a booth for the Feast of the Tabernacles. The rabbiwas a fine-looking man, but not learned. He seemed fatigued with thehard services of the preceding day. We explained our object ingeneralterms, deploring the ignorance which we had seen among the Jews andurging the need of schools where they might be taught to read theWord of God gramm atically. He assented and professed to desire theimprovement of his people but said that we should apply to influentialmen such as the merchants who must exert themselves if theBe objectswere ever to be effected.

While we were with him a young woman came in with some friends,seeking a divorce from her husband;—for this is common among theJews as among the Greeks. In the shop of the principal Jewishbookseller we found prayer-books, commentaries and portions of theTalmud, but nothingvery interesting.

We were invited in the evening to a Jewish marriage. We went atthe hour, but a long delay occurred for the bridegroom not havingbrought a string of diamonds for his bride's head-dress—an ornamentmuch valued here—she and her friends refused to let the ceremonyproceed till it was purchased. "Can a maid forget her ornaments, or abride her attire?" iB a natural question in Israel at this day. As we werewalking to and fro before the door, Mr. Caiman spoke with a tall Jewupon the evils of the Talmud. He seemed to be much convinced and

(Continued on the next page)

R0M-S1C NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

Scot Missionaries to Jews in Romania(Continued from the previous page)

said, "Well, I see that we are a people without a religion. But whatshall we do? Shall we become Christians like the Greeks who have not

the Word of God?"

Returning to the house some hours after we found that the marriageceremony had been concluded and that the company were now seatedat the marriage feast. From Mr. Caiman we received an account of theprevious part of the ceremony. Early on the marriage day the Bathanor poet, who performs a very prominent part, comes to trie bride'shouse and addresses her most solemnly upon her sins, urging her to cryfor forgiveness;—for marriage is looked upon as an ordinance by whichsins are forgiven just as the day of atonement, pilgrimages and the like;and the Jews believe that it will be destined that day whether her luckis to be good or not. She and her attendant maidens are often bathedin tears during his address which sometimes last two hours. TheBathan next goes to the bridegroom and exhorts him in the samemanner. This done, the bridegroom puts on the same white dreBSwhich he wears on the day of atonement and spends some time inprayer and confession of sins, using the same prayers as on that solemnday.

He is then led to the synagogue accompanied by a band of music.The band next goes from him to accompany the bride. The parties areplaced near each other and the marriage canopy on four poles is heldover them. The contract is read and the sum named which the husband

promises to give the woman in case of divorce. The fathers andmothers, friends of the bridegroom, and the bridesmaids, take the brideby the hand and all go round the bridegroom in obedience to the words"a woman shall compass a man."

A cup of wine is produced and seven blessings pronounced over it,and the glass is thrown down and broken, to signify that even in theirjoy they are no better than a broken sherd. They are then led togetherto the bride's house where we found them sitting at the head of thetable in silence. The bride had her face veiled down nearly to themouth with a handkerchief which she wears during the whole ceremony. Her dress and that of most of her companions was pure white.

The table was filled with guests, the men being seated on one sideand the women on the other.

Before eating, all wash theirhands out of a dish with two

handles, so formed that theone hand may not defile theother.

It was singular to see thisfeast of bearded men, thefaces of many of whommight have been studies for apainter. The feast at the marriage of Cana of Galilee wasvividly presented to ourminds. During the repast themusic struck up; several Jewsplayed well on the violin,violoncillo, cymbals, tamour-ine and a harp of a singularshape which they said wasJewish, not Christian. It wasplayed by beating upon thestrings with two wooden instruments and the effect was

pleasing. It is remarkable that beyond the bounds of their own land,Israel should have bo many instruments of music, while in Palestine, asthe prophet foretold, "The joy of the harp ceaseth." The Bathan, orchanter, frequently interrupted the music and excited the mirth andgood humourof the company by his impromptu German verses on thenew married pair and theirfriends.

We were not invited to sit at table,—for had we Gentiles touchedtheir food it would have been unclean,-dishes were handed to uswhere we sat. Several times a plate went round the company forcollections. The first time it was "for the cook," and this they called"the golden soup." Tne next time is "for Jerusalem" and a third time"for the new married couple"—a present for the entertainment given tothe company.

The bridegroom should have preached a sermon to the company,but he being unlearned, the chanter did it for him. After the supperthere was a dance, but not after the manner of the Gentiles. Some littlegirls first danced together. The uncle, a tall handsome bearded Jew,then danced alone; last of all he danced with the bride, leading herround and round by a handkerchief This forms the concluding part ofthe ceremony enjoined by the Talmud. Wine flowed plentifully as atCana; but being the simple wine of the country, not the slightest riot orextragance was visible. When shall that marriage-day come of whichthe prophet speaks, "As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, soshall they God rejoice of thee?"

(Sept. 20.) Our laBt day at Jassy was mostly spent in conversationwith the many Jews who came to visit us. After breakfast two Jewscame in, one a very intelligent man named Leb Keri, an avocat in thetown connected with the courts of law. His special object in comingwas to request a New Testament in Hebrew. When we presented himwith a copy, he said that he had long wished for one and on gettingsome Hebrew tracts also, he refused to part with them to any other,"Because," said he, "I have need of them all in discussions with friendson these subjects."

Several other Jews called and there were eight in a room at once.Their ignorance of Scripture was such that the commonest Hebrewwords often puzzled them. Mr. Bonar read over Luke xv. in Germanwith one who sat by him, the same who used to be our guide throughthe town. On the other side of the table sat another, an elderly man,with his broad-brimmed hat resting on the top of his staff while another

stood behind his chair, listening to all the remarks.This was an interesting day. In the evening we

bade adieu to the Consul and setting off at nineo'clock, left Jassy far behind.

* * *

We arrived at Botouchany (Botojani) about 11a.m. and by the advice of the English Vice Consul,Signore Scotto, we determined to take horses directfrom this place to a village three hours distant calledTe8hawitz on the Moldavian border, opposite theAustrian quarantine station.

We called at the house of a Jew whom we foundwilling to lend us horses thought it was their Sabbath. He could not send a Jewish servant with

them, nor would he either name the hire, or take it,yet he engaged a Gentile to go with us and to be hisproxy. He forgot thewords, "nor thycattle, northestranger that is within thy gates. " This however isthe genuine result of the hypocrisy taught by theTalmud. Over the door of his house we noticed a

frame ornament, with the single word n*rcO (miz-

(Continued on the next page)

10 ROM-SIC NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

Scot Missionaries to Jews in Romania(Continued from the previouspage)

rach), "The East," in large characters, pointing out the direction inwhich Jerusalem lies.

Botouchany is a peculiarly clean town, containing 20,000 inhabitants andhas eleven Greek churches. It extends over a great space andthere are gardens and trees interposed, which give it a cheerful aspect.There are from four to five thousand

Jews in it. We saw great numbers in theirbest attire and they appeared far morecleanly and comfortable than those ofJassy or Bucharest. Their houses werealso clean and whitewashed with a small

verandah before the windows. The Con

sul said that theyhave 16 synagogues butwe neglected to make inquiry of the Jewthemselves.

We enjoyed a pleasant evening rideand found that three Jewish horses were

equal to eight Gentile ones. Our road laysometimes through deep shady woodsand sometimes through open meadowland. Many herds of swino were feedingin the fields. It was rather a hilly region,but beneath us was a fine plain, beyondwhich rose the distant Carpathian Mountains in the west. At one point we drovethrough a long avenue of densely plantedwillow trees till we came to the margin ofa broad stream which we forded. We

then descended through a grove of pleasanttrees uponthe small village of Teshawitz.

The sun was setting upon the peaceful scene and it was too late toadmit of our crossing the river Soutchava which here forms theAustrian frontier, and getting into quarantine. We therefore took upour lodging for the night in a small inn not far from the riverside, keptby a Jew named Baruch Ben-Roze, who had erected a booth before hisdoor of the willows that grow by the riverside, the next evening beingthe beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles (TrOt>, succoth). Heafterwards showed us his palm branch, called lulab, and his fine fruitcalled ezrach, supposed to be the "fruit of a goodly tree," spoken bythe law. It is a fruit like a lemon and growB to maturity only once inthree years. It is brought from Italy and from the Holy Land andsometimes more than a hundred dollars are paid to obtain one for thefeast. This man paid four rubles for his, a sum equal to IL sterling.The Karaites are not so particular; they use an orange or any fine fruit.Theman had also slips of myrtle wrapped inthe leafof the palm.

When we entered his house, the Jewish Sabbath was coming to aclose. Ab soon as it was over, the father of the family began to blessthe light, --all which are extinguished on the Sabbath as the Jews arenot allowed to kindle a fire, or even to mend it on that day. And so,when the Sabbath is done, they light their candle and fire anew andbless God for it. This Jew blessed also the incense and the drink whichwas to be used, praying over them all. The reason for blessing theincense is to be found in the ancient custom of using incense at thethird meal on the Sabbath. In blessing the lights, he poured out somerakee on the table and set it on fire, then dipped his finger in it andwaved the flaming liquid over his face. This is done to show that "the

commandment of the Lord is pure, giving light to the eyes."After we had got some refreshment, the family were full of curiosity

to see the strangers, especially on hearing that we had seen Jerusalem.Trie father, mother, an old aunt, two boys and a little girl soongatheredround us. The father (our host) talked freely. He hoped, he said, soonto be at Jerusalem himself. The mother asked if we had seen the

remains of the old Temple wall? We described to her what we hadseen; and then took out a plan of Jerusalem and pointed out to the boy

the various interesting places in and aboutthe city which we had visited and showedthem some of the sketches we had taken.

One of them was very ready in showinghis acquaintance with Jewish history andboth became more and more free with us,wondering much at our interest in the Jews."Do you wear TephillinV asked one."How many commandments do you keep?"said another. Our answer was, The commandments whichyou as well as we oughtto keep are two, Thou shalt serve the Lordthy God with all thy heart'; and Thou shaltlove thy neighbour as thyself1" The boy,who had showed considerable knowledgeof Jewish history, then asked, "Why wetravelled on Sabbath?" for they were stillpersuaded that we were Jews. We told himwe were to keep our own Sabbath nextday. But he, still believing that we werebrethren, said, They have not broken ourSabbath; they did not work today; a Gentile drove their carriage and had anything

been broken he would have mended it."

The mother then put in a word asking if we had heard a predictionwhich some Jew told them was uttered at Jerusalem that next year, inthe month of March, a great cloud was to burst and pour out a floodthat would drown the world? We said that we had not heard it and that

it must be false for God promised to Noah never to drown the worldany more by a flood. "But," said she, "after the cloud has done this theearth is to be restored again." We opened the Hebrew Bible at thepassage in Daniel where Messiah is described a8 "coming with theclouds of heaven," and Bhowod it to her father, who read it and Baid,"Perhaps that was the source of the prediction."

The little girl, whose name was Esther, stood near Mr. Bonar.Speaking of her name, as the name of a Jewish queen, he asked her ifshe knew much of the Bible? She said that her mother had taught herall she knew for she had not read the bible herself. "I know about

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph." He asked her to go on, but she said,"I do not know more." He asked her what she knew about God?

"God," said the little girl, "is better than all; better than father ormother, a hundred, hundred times. And if I were ill, my father ormothercannothelpme, but God can."

We told her that she ought to love Him indeed for He had so lovedus as to send his Son to save us. We asked, "Where is God?" Shepointed round the room. "Yes, here," and then added, "In my heart,too, and everywhere." We asked her if she knw that she was a sinner?She said, "7 have no sin." Her mother taught her this on the ground ofher being a daughter of Abraham. We spoke to her of what the Bibledeclared regarding her sin and danger. No wonder Jewish females are

(Continued on the next page)

ROM-SIC NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995 11

Scot Missionaries to Jews in Romania(Continuedfrom the previous page)

"at ease" and "careless ones" when they are taught to believe thatthey have no sin!

On getting from ub a shell from the Lake of Galilee she expressedgreat delight and said that she would wear it round her neck. Thefather then brought out a collection box, which he kept in his ownhouse for the Jews in Palestine and another for a particular rabbi, afriend, who had gone there. He next shewed us a lump of earth whichhe had brought from a rabbi's grave, a rabbi to whom he used to go toget absolution and whom he greatly loved.

The mother asked us if we could tell any thing about the rabbi inRussia whom the Emperor had imprisoned and wondered why he hadbeen imprisoned. "It can

not be for his own sins, forhe had none. It must be for

the sins of the people ofIsrael." Their knowledgeconsists of fragments oftruth and these all tinctured

by superstition. They ownthe principle of substitutionand yet apply it wrong;they apply it to a rabbi,forgetting the Psalm whereit is said, "None of themcan by any means redeemhis brother, or give to Goda ransom for him." Theboy wondered why Godpunished the devil for doingevil since (according toJewish belief) he made the devil as he is. We shewed him that hisopinion was erroneous for God created him a holy angel. But the boypersisted in his own view, and with true rabbincal acumen said, "Hesupposed that God punished the devil for being a hypocrite, for thedevil never tempts any one to sin directly, but always sayd, 'You willget or that by doingwhat I propose.'"

The father told us that he had been in great doubts about continuingto be an innkeeper as it often interfered with his observance of theSabbath, but his rabbi, whom he consulted, told him not to give it upfor ifhe was in danger of sinning in that way, he made up for the Bin byhelping poor Jews across the frontier and assisting them when they didnot know theRussian andWallachian languages.

* * *

And now looking back over these two provinces of Moldavia andWallachia, it is impossible not to feel their vast importance and invitingaspect as the scene of a Jewish Mission. The number of resident Jewsis very great In the two capitals there are probably from 25,000 to30,000 and perhaps as many more in the other towns. But further, thefields are also "white unto the harvest." The Jews are in a mostinteresting state of mind. The greater part of them are very ignorant.We learned that among the many thousands of Jassy, there were onlya few who could understand Hebrew grammatically and in theirschools we have seen that even the teachers could not translate theprayers intheHebrew prayer-book.

Another point ofgreat importance is that it is believed that inquirersand converts could support themselves. Every Jew who arrives inthese provinces is obliged to bring with him a certificate that he is ableto earn a livelihood by some trade. We have seen that allthe neces

saries of life are remarkably cheap and that the resources of commerceare far from being fully occupied so that an anxious Jew might easilysupport himself even when cast off by his brethren in the flesh.Workmen are employed irrespectively of their creed, and many Jewswho have been baptized into the Greek Church found no difference intheir means of living. In this way, one of the greatest difficultiesexperienced by the Jewish missionary in other countries is removed.

Moreover, these provinces border upon Austrian Poland, that landof bigotry and the shadow of death, across whose boundary notravellerdares to carry, except by stealth, even an English Bible.

* * *

AUSTRIAN POLAND

(Sept. 27.) About two o'clock we descended upon theneat town ofSeret, standing upon the river of the same name which we had crossedtwice in Moldavia.

On entering the town we had met many Jews in theirbest dress andholiday fur-cap and observed a company of them dancing at a public-house. We now engaged in conversation with two of them and oneyoung man became very communicative, kindly consenting to be ourguide through the town. There are 300 families of JewB residing hereand they have two syngagogues and three places of study or Beth-midrash.

The largest synagogue, a building of considerable size, was shut; butwe entered the other and there two young men began an interestingconversation. They asked if we were Jews. We said, No, we wereChristians. They replied, "Perhaps you are Jews also," and shookhands smihing. The Jews here expected Messiah that year or else somegreat event. They told us of a remarkable rabbi, Haiim, at Chosow,eight miles distant, to whom many thousands of Jews go in pilgrimageat the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. They enjoy more liberty inBukovine than in Galicia, for in the latter province there is a tax onlights, which becomes very severe on the Jews who use so manycandles on the Sabbath.

On asking if there was much infidelity here, they told us all wereTalmudists, except three Epicuruses—probably members of theTarnapol Society. In the synagogue where we were standing wereseveral copies both of the Talmud and Mishna, but only a fewfragments of the Hebrew Bible were to be found in the library. Theyoung men scarcely knew a word of the Scriptures and when Mr.Caiman showed them what a different spirit breathed in the Bible fromthat of the Talmud, they defended the Talmud and the rabbis.When Mr. Caiman told them that he believed in Jesus (yiYJ>) they didnot understand who or what this meant. But when he explained andshowed them that he was "a Christian, " they started back and with anair of doubt and fear said, "And do you still love the Jews?" Hereplied, "Yes, indeed, I love the Jews still with all my heart." And thuswe parted.

(Sept. 28.) Czernowitz (Chernovtsy, Ukr.) is a pleasant town, withstreets wide,well airedand clean. The houses are generally two orthree stories high and there are barracks and other public buildings.Most of the names over the shops were Polish. A broad street leadsfrom the market-place, down a steep descent from the top of which isseen the river Pruth winding through the plain below, with a village onthe opposite side of the bank called Satagora in which many Jewsreside.

There are 3000 Jews here with eight synagogues, only three ofwhich are large. These three we visited being all under the roof of onelarge edifice. The congregation were engaged in worship whenweentered but seemed to have little feeling of devotion. A group soon

(Continued on the next page)

12 ROM-SIC NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

RSN to continue with Marlene Zakai as editor

Romania, ROM-SIG play keyroles at Washington seminar

With attendance at the Romanian session one of the largest of thespecial interest groups, questions about Romania flew fast and furiousand optimism about gathering vital information from the state archiveswas at its highest at the 14th Summer Seminar in Washington in June.

More than 40 were in attendance at the Romanian 3IG meeting,heldTuesday afternoon ofthe five day meetings and research.

Later that evening, Paul Pascal unveiled the findings of his trip toRomania a year ago before a large gathering in one of the importanttalks of the seminar. The microfiche of his findings were part of apackage of information given to the individual Jewish genealogical

societies and went on sale to the generalpublic through Avotaynu. Few in the largeaudience left the auditorium as Pascal

spoke far into the night about his venture tothe Iasi archives. He combined his talk

with photos of his discoveries as well ashand-out information about reading theRomanian information.

At the SIG meeting itself there was anexchange of information, primarily aboutresearchers in Romania. ROM-SIG mem

bers, 41 by count in the official seminarattendance list, told of their successfulexperiences with Prof Ladislau Gyement

and his honor and triistworthiness as a researcher in the Transylvanianstate archives.

At one point, as attendees around the room gave the names of thesurnames and towns they were searching, Sarn Elpem looked up andsaid, "You are my cousin. You don't know that yet, but I know thatanyonewiththat name from that village is related to me."

The seminar was one of the most successful in terms of attendance

with more than 600 registered. Boston was named as host city for the1996meetings to be heldJuly 14-19 at the Park PlazaHotel.

Transnistria survivors to publish bookabout forgotten cemetery* in English

The Transnistria Survivors Association, located in Toronto, areplanning to publish an anthology "about the tragedy and themartyrs of these 132 concentration, labour and exterminationcamps which until now were a "forgotten cemetery."

Dr. Felicia CarmeUy, president of the group, is appealing toROM-SIG members because of their "interest in educational

work, the history of the Jewish People and to your generosity tohelp us lead this project to a successful conclusion." She is askingour members to help raise the $25-30 thousand necessary topublish the book.

"Transnistria Remembered" will be the only English languageanthology of this unknown chapter of the Holocaust she writes.Dr. CarmeUy says the book is technically ready and is awaitingenough funds to proceed. A Donors' Honour Roll will be published in the book. Tax receipts will be issued, she says.

Checks should be made payable to: The Jewish Federation ofGreater Toronto-Transnistria, and mailed to 1073 Spadina Rd.,Toronto, Ont, M5N 2M7.

PAUL PASCAL

Marlene Zakai of Washington was named to take over the helm ofROM-SIG NEWS it was announced at the summer seminar. She

succeeds Gene Starn who has stepped down after two years, originallyonly as "temporary editor.".

Zakai's genealogical research interest lies in Bessarabia, butproximity to the Capital's research resources should put her in aposition to take ROM-SIG NEWS to new heights. She will be aidedby other members who have offered to assist her. If anyone isinterested in participating on the staff, they should contact Marlene.She is available via E-mail at "zakai@aol.com", or by regular mail at11908 Tildenwood Dr., Rockville, MD 20852. In any case she stillneeds the assistance of ALL members to continue making theircontributions to the journal.

Sam Elpem will step up his duties by taking over the computer production of ROM-SIG NEWS. A computer programmer by trade, Samhad been the business manager and making certain everyone receivedtheir copy on time.

Stam was commended at the Romanian special interest groupmeeting for his efforts on the journal. He changed the style of thenewsletter and brought about the free exchange of information thatwas displayed in the quarterly.

In his first issue he disclosed members' experiences with purportedresearcher Dan Regenstreif of Bucharest and immediately embarkedon attempting to locate honest and reliable investigators in Romania.Through hisleadership, the group tripledits membership.

Scot Missionaries to Jews in Romania(Continuedfrom the previous page)gathered round each of us at different parts of the synagogue. On

saying to those around us, "We have been at Jerusalem," they wereimmediately interested and asked, "Are the Jews there like the Jewshere?" We said, "They were, but all could speak Hebrew." They said,"None here can speak Hebrew except the rabbi." "Do you expect everto return to your own land?" "We hope for that every day." We said,"We Christians are looking for the second coming of the Messiah everyday." They replied,"WhatMessiah? Is it Messiah Ben-Joseph?"

We told them how Christians in our land loved the Jews. Theirreprywas, "Here they do not love the Jews." This took place in thelargestsynagogue. In the other two, which belonged to the Chasidim, theworshippers were much more intent upon their prayers and more loudand vehement in their cries. When we were leaving, one of them cameafter us to ask, "How much of the temple-wall at Jerusalem was stillstanding, how high and how broad it was?" The same Jew asked if wehad seen Hebron and if the cave of Machpelah was known?

The Jews here are very ignorant. Their young people are not taughtto understand the Hebrew but only to read it, though many send theirchildren to the public academies where Latin and German are taught.Some have given up their belief in the Talmud and many are carelessthat they come to the synagogue only on the Day of Atonement. TheJew who acted as our guide through the town (for we purposelyemployed a Jew on all such occasions), said that he believed the OldTestament Scriptures but did not believe in a Messiah at all. Tne truthis that many of them are so entirely ignorant of Scripture that theyfancy the doctrine of a Messiah to be one of the traditions of theirrabbis and not a promise of Moses and the prophets. The sight of Israelin this region cannot fail to sadden the heart of those that love them."Behold, they say, Our bones are dried, ourhope is lost."

ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995 13

1 A M I L Y FINDER-by surname

Listed here are the Surnames of people being researched by our following the Family Finder-Town hstings. The surnames are asmembers, together with the town(s) in which they resided, the submitted; the towns include the correct current spelling if known,country, followed by the researcher's reference number. as found in Where Once We Walked, Mokotoff/Sack.

A list of the researchers (ROM-SIG members) will be found Corrections and additions willappear in subsequent issues.

Town/Area Town/Area Town/Area

Surnames Researched Citiry Ref Surnames Researched Cntry Ref Surnames Researched Cntry Ref

Abelescu Birlad Rom 85 Bacal Botosani Rom 111 Botashana Vaslui Rom 175

Abraham Iasi Rom 159 Bacher Bucuresti Rom 36 Botnick Dumbraveny Mold 160

Abramo'vici Botosani Rom 40 Baler Bucuresti Rom 62 Braun Birlad Rom 39

Abramovitz Botosani Rom 19 Balaban ? Ukr 168 Braun Vaslui Rom 15

Abramovitz Bucuresti Rom 19 Balm Daroboi Rom 2 Braunstein PiatraNeamt Rom 15

Abramovitz Iasi Ram 19 Balsa Trertiana Rom 2 [jj /l^yrurtcin Vaslui Rom 15

Abramovitz Bucecea Rom 17 Banner Siret Rom 7 Bravcrman Botosani Rom 150

Abramowitz Bucecea Rom 184 Banner BaiaMare Rom 7 Brockameyer Iasi Rom 11

Abramowitz Deposes ? 184 Banner Erd Hung 7 Bromberg Kishinev Mold 122

Abramowitz Podulloaiei Rom 188 Barad Iasi Rom 19 Bronstein Teleoeahty Mold 137

Abramowitz TlrguFrnmas Rom 101 Barad Botosani Rom 19 Brown Botosani Rom 145

Abramowitz Tuyi Ram 101 Barad Bucuresti Rom 19 Buchman Leovo Rom 176

AbramsoQ Botosani Rom 40 Baras Iasi Rom 120 Buchwald Cluj Rom 127

Abromoivicz Botosani Ram 90 Band) Mihfiileni Rom 38 Buchwald Turda Rom 127

Abramovitz Botosani Rom 90 Barash Burdujeni Rom 38 Bujureanu Havima Rom 164

Ackerman Yedonitz Mold 33 Barash Iasi Rom 120 Bujureanu Dorohoi Rom 164

Ainbinder Lipkany Mold 171 Barudin Bucuresti Rom 191

Ainbinder Novoeeltsy Ukr 171 Beldner Focsani Rom 9 Caesarman ? Rom 90

Ainbinder Khotin Ukr 171 Beldner Bucuresti Rom 9 Campell Roman Rom 14

Ainbinder Yedintsy Mold 171 Bercovic Braila Rom 52 Campellmacher Roman Rom 14

Albabari Br5ila Rom 115 Bercovici BrSila Rom 36 Cantar Tecuci Rom 111

Albabari Constanta Rom 115 Bercovici RSducaneni Ram 88 Cantar Ivesti Rom 111

Albabari Bucmqtl Rom 115 Bercovici CodSesti Rom 10 Charas Oalari Rom 45

Alpem Vicovn de Sus Rom 87 Bercovici Iasi Rom 23 Catz Hhi5u Rom 92

Altman Khotin Mold 118 Berger Tulcea Rom 50 Chameides Chernovtsy Ukr 11

Alturio Braila Rom 115 Berkowitz ? Rom 172 Cheis Bacfiu Rom 30

Alturio ? Ram 115 Berkowitz Vissulia 7 91 Chitis/Keces Braila Rom 163

Antonier Botosani Rom 111 Berkowitz Roman Rom 6 atrin/Czitrin Cluj Rom 48

Ardelean Arad Rom 2 Bericowitz Bucuresti Ram 115 Citrin/Czitrin Miercurea

Ardelean Felnac ? 2 Berkowitz Birlad Rom 63 Hirajului Rom 48

Ardelean Timisoara Rom 2 Berman Bucuresti Rom 36 Citrin/Czitrm SanMBclos ? 48

Ardelean Banal region Rom 2 Bernard Braila Rom 36 Clein Botosani Rom 111

Ardelean Pecska ? 2 Bemal Arad Ram 86 Cohen Braila Rom 90

Argintaru Roman Ram 6 Bernstein Iasi Rom 78 Cohen ? Rom 172

Arginteanu Bucuresti Ram 43 Bernstein Botosani Rom 78 Cohen Botosani Rom 38

Arginter Husi Ram 42 Bernstem BrSila Ram 90 Cohen Khotin Mold 118

Arginter Birlad Ram 42 Bessler PiatraNeamt Rom 91 Cojacaru Dorohoi Rom 177

Aron Iasi Ram 78 Bickel, Bikel Chemevsky Ukr 22 Cojacaru Dumbraven Rom 177

Aron Botosani Rom 78 Blank, Blanc Chernovtsy Ukr 54 Copil TirguFrumas Rom 154

Aronovici TirguOcna Rom 49 Blau Halmeu Rom 129 Cracaoanu Iasi Rom 183

Aronovici Moinesti Rom 49 Blau Cidreag Rom 129 Cracaoanu TirguNeamj Rom 183

Aronovici Roman Rom 49 Blier Halmeu Rom 129 Cracoanu TirguNeaml Rom 183

Aronovitz Hu?i Rom 42 Btier Cidreag Rom 129 Cracojaner TirguNeaml Rom 183

Aronovitz Birlad Rom 42 Bloom/Blum Bucuresti Rom 55 Cracojaner Iasi Rom 183

Aronowitz Botosani Rom 78 Bloom/Blum Birlad Rom 55

Aronowitz Iasi Rom 78 Bloom/Blum Drinceni Rom 55 Dalpen/Dalpin Tulchin Ukr 22AsMfi-nncy Braila Ram 36 Bloom/Blum Husi Rom 55 Dahpen/Dalpin RSdSuti Rom 22

Askenasy Braila Rom 36 Blum Frumushika Mold 92 Dalpen/Dalpin Cluj Rom 22

Aspler ? Rom 22 Blum Hfriau Rom 92 Damsig Bucecea Rom 45

Auerbach Iasi Rom 35 Blumenfeld PoduDoale Rom 93 Damslg Botosani Rom 45

Auachulovich Raduti Rom 20 Blumenfeld Yedintsy Mold 156 Daniels Iasi Rom 120

Axelrad Ta^i Rom 3 Blumenfeld !ii';l Rom 93 Dankner Chemevsky Ukr 96Blumenfeld Pascani Rom 93 Dankner Radautz Ukr 96

Bacal Botosani Rom 45 Blumenfeld Kishinev Mold 156 Dankner Braila Rom 96

Bacal Bucecea Rom 45 Botashana Botosani Rom 175 Daotch Kalarash Mold 122

14 JK.OM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

FAMILY FINDER- ' SURNAMES Town/Area Town/Area

Surnames Researched Cntry Ref Surnames Researched Cntry Ref[Contmuedfrom previous page}Fiterman Skulyany Mold 71 Goldstein Birlad Rom

Town/Area139

Franco Bucuresti Rom 88 Goldstein PiatraNeamt Rom 15Surnames Researched Cntry Rrf Franco Craiova Rom 88 Goldstein Iasi Rom 35

Daskel Cluj Rom 127 Friedman Galati Rom 131 Goldwurm Bucuresti Rom 120

David Ploesti Rom 139 Friedman Podulloaie Rom 131 Goodman Podulloaie Rom 93

David Craiova Rom 88 Friedman Dumbraveny Mold 75 Goodmarts Dumbraveny Mold 160

David Birlad Rom 139 Friedman Sorolri Mold 75 Gottlieb Cluj Rom 127

David Roman Rom 120 Friedman Birlad Rom 116 Graboyes Kishinev Mold 110

Davigner Bucecea Rom 17 Friedman Braila Rom 115 Graif Botosani Rom 29

Davis Husi Rom 42 Friedman Birlad Rom 133 Graif Iasi Rom 29

Davis Birlad Rom 42 Friedman Bucuresti Rom 134 Gredinger Iasi Rom 44

Davis Birlad Rom 165 Friedman Iasi Rom 133 Gredinger PiatraNeamt Rom 44

Davody Piatra Veauitz ? 120 Friedman, Fried ? Rom 104 Greenberg Bohanse? ? 93

Dehnan Iasi Rom 76 Frimmer Ungeny Mold 122 Grcenberg Podulloaie Rom 93

Dermer Moinesti Rom 22 Pacha Siret Rom 101 Greenberg Moinesti Rom 126

Deutsch Sapinta Rom 140 Fuchs Arad Rom 46 Greenberg TurgoOcna Ram 126

OiAin&nt Iasi Rom 120 Fucks Dumbraveny Mold 160 Orcenberg Bucuresti Rom 36

Durmond Iasi Rom 120 Greenfield Bucuresti Rom 80

Oaba Chemevsky Ukr 66 Greenspan Podu Turcului Rom 72

Edelstein Birlad Rom 120 Oaba Sirets Mold 66 Greenspan Brichany Mold 169

Edelctein Bacfiu Rom 120 O&nz Svartz Stimah ? 162 Greenspan Zhitomir Ufa 76

Edelstein Galati Rom 120 Ganz, Gantz Sigbet Rom 105 Greenwald Sigbet Ram 162

Edelstein Dragomiresti Rom 120 Ganz, Gantz Transylvania Rom 105 Greenwald Bucuresti Rom 36

Einbinder Lipkany Mold 171 Gfirber, Gberber, Gross Braila Rom 97

Einbinder Novoseltsy Ukr 171 Gehrbet Focsani Rom 167 Gross Braila Rom 96

Einbinder Khotin Ukr 171 Garfinkel Iasi Rom 120 Grossman Novoseltsy Ukr 171

Einbinder Yedintsy Mold 171 Geber, Gaber Chemevsky Ukr 66 Grossman Khotin Ufa- 171

Eisenberg PoduDoaie Rom 131 Oeber, Gaber Sirets Mold 66 Grossman Lipkany Mold 171

Eisenberg Bucuresti Rom 131 Gelber, Gbelber Focsani Rom 167 Grossman Yedintsy Mold 171

Eisenfeld Moinesti Rom 49 Gelberg Kishinev Mold 122 Grossman Iasi Rotn 107

Eisenfeld TirguOcna Rom 49 Gherson Iasi Rom 120 Gruber Cluj Rom 127

Eisenfeld Tetskany Ukr 49 Ghidale TirguNeamj Rom 174

Eisenstein Iasi Rom 123 Ghirschin Iasi Rom 120 Haber Roman Rom 98

Ekodky Bessarabia U/M 169 Ghitter Suceava Rom 31 Haim Birlad Ram 165

EliescD Iasi Rom 117 Ghitter Bagrinovka Ufa- 30 Haimovitz Husi Ram 42

Engel Siret Rom 113 Ghitter Bagrinovsky Mold 30 Haimovitz Birlad Rom 42

Ente Bucuresti Rom 40 Gilbert Roman Rom 167 Halpem Iasi Rom 76

r*r)tin Azanritz ? 102 Giniger, Ginger Sigbet Rom 156 Heller Iasi Rom 1

T^TfflU Beltsy Mold 102 Giniger, Ginger Zhitomir Ukr 156 Henick Brtila Rom 36

Giniger, Ginger Iasi Rom 80 Herer Iasi Rom 120

Faibes/Feibesh Tecuan? ? 26 Giniger, Ginger Iasi Rom 156 Herman Ploesti Ram 79

Faibes/Feibesh Birlad Rom 26 Giniger, Ginger Kishinev Mold 156 Hermann Chernovtsy Ukr 173

Faibes/Feibeah Floreahty Mold 26 Giniger, Ginger Kishinev Mold 80 Herschkowitz Roman Ram 11

Faibes/Feibesh Vaslui Rom 26 Glasser Roman Rom 120 Herschkowitz lap Rom 11Faibes Moldan (Vitava) ? 26 Glasser Iasi Rom 120 Herscovici ? Rom 132

Faibes/Feibesh Albesti Rom 26 Glasser PiatraNeamt Rom 120 Hersbcu Iasi Rom 44

Faibisch Vaslui Rom 103 Glasser Granicesti Rom 120 Hersbenhora ? Rom 84Farkas Bunfihumyad ? 100 Glazer Brichany Mold 169 Hershkovitz Botosani Rom 90Farkas NemesKosze ? 100 Goichman Teleneshty Mold 137 Hershkowitz Halmeu Ram 86Farkas Cluj Rom 100 Gold Iasi Rom 56 Herssbovitz ? Rom 121Farkas Szibo ? 100 Gold Piatra Neamj Rom 189 Hirsch ? Rom 172Feibesh Moldan (Vitava) ? 26 Goldberg Pascani Rom 93 Hiujch Daprosc ? 193Feigenbaum Iasi Rom 57 Goldberg Galati Rom 71 Hirecovici Iasi Ram 120

Feinblatt Bucuresti Rom 131 Goldberg Piatra Neamj Rom 189 Hirshkovitz Botosani Ram 90Feinblatt Sinautii de Jos Ufa 131 Goldenberg Beltsy Mold 102 Hochman Teleneshty Mold 137Feldman Bucuresti Rom 36 Goldenberg Raskov ? 102 Ham Iasi Rom 18

Feldman Bucuresti Rom 43 Goldenberg Bucuresti Rom 115 Homstem ? Rom 115Feldman Dorohoi Rom 20 Goldenberg Tn«i Rom 176 Horowitz Sibiu Rom 162Feller Bucuresti Rom 19 Goldenberg Iasi Rom 81 Horowitz Sibiu Rom 162

Feller Iasi Rom 19 Goldenberg Botosani Rom 115 Horowitz Yedintsy Mold 33

Feller Botosani Rom 19 Goldenberg Galati Rom 28 Horowitz Nogyzben ? 162Feuerstcin Iasi Rom 21 Goldenberg PiatraNeam{ Rom 189

Finkelstein Bucuresti Rom 41 Goldensteyn Hhiau Rom 15 Imberg Husi Ram 108

Fmkelstetn Turgu-Neamt Rom 8 Goldensteyn Iasi Rom 15 Imbcrg Bucuresti Ram 108

Finkelstein Birlad Rom 161 Goldentaer Faleahty Mold 106 Imberg ? Rom 108

Finklestein ? Rom 22 Goldentier Faleshty Mold 106 Indianer Bukovina ? 123Fkhbein Brichany Bess 169 Goldentyer Faleshty Mold 106 Iskowitz Up Rom 34P lisnnmn Linslcpadolsk ? 37 Goldner Bucuresti Rom 192 Bkovoky B&ssarabia ? 169

Fishman Limanskoje ? 37 Goldsmith Birlad Rom 63 Hzkowitz 7 Rom 154Fishman Teleneshty Mold 137 Goldstein Ploesti Rom 139 hzkowitz Bucuresti Rom 34

Fichman Tekneshty Mold 137 Goldstein Hirlfiu Rom 15 Izenfeld TirguOcna Ram 49

Fiterman Untseshty ? 71 Goldstein Birlad Rom 181 IzenfeW/Isenfeld Tetskany Ukr 49

ROM-SIG NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995 15

FAMILY FINDER-* Town/Area Town/Area

Surnames Researched Cntry Ref Surnames Researched Cntry Ref(Continuedfromprevious page)

Kundl ? Rom 10 Markowitz/ Ploesti Rom 139TermvArem Kupfer Podulloaie Rom 131 Markovici Ploesti Rom 139

Surnames Researched Cntry Ref KupferKupfer

Bucuresti

Iasi

Rom

Rom

131

131

Markowitz/

Markovici

Birlad

Birlad

Rom

Rom

139

Isenfeld/Isenfeld Moinesti Rom 49 139

Mayrovitz ? Birlad Rom 181

Jackowitc Birlad ? 5 Label MihAileni Rom 38 Melach Chemevsky Ufa- 22

Jacob Blondiana (Carana) ? 86 Labovhoh Ploesti Rom 79 Mendel Sibiu Rom 86

Jacob Arad Rom 86 Lamm Birlad Rom 63 Mendel Mihoesti Rom 86

Jacobs Birlad Rom 5 Landau Litin Ufa- 134 Mendel BuHusi Rom 34

Jacobs Cluj Rom 186 Landau Iasi Rom 134 Mendel Bacau Rom 34

Jakabs Cluj Rom 186 T-ntinlrin Felnac ? 2 Mendelowitz Iasi Rom 179

Jakowitz Birlad Rom 5 latinkin Timisoara Rom 2 Milberg Raducaneni Rom 119

Josephson Pascani Rom 131 Latinkin Banat region ? 2 Mohnblatt Iasi Rom 29

Josefson Pascani Rom 131 Latinkin Pecska ? 2 Mohnblatt Botosani Rom 29

Josephson Bucuresti Rom 131 Latinkin Arad Rom 2 Moinester Moinesti Rom 22

Josefson Bucuresti Rom 131 Lawffer, Laufer ChernevBty Ufa- 163 Moonblott Iasi Rom 29

Julius Roman Rom 11 Lazarescu Bucuresti Rom 115 Moonblott Botosani Rom 29

Lebensohn Bucuresti Rom 155 Moscovici Botosani Rom 62

Kafler Bucuresti Rom 36 Leiderman Dumbraven Rom 177 Moscovici Drinceni Rom 55

Kahana Vaslui Rom 175 Loebeohn Bucuresti Rom 155 Moscowitz Drinceni Rom 55

Knhnne PiatraNeamt Rom 44 Leib/Leibovici Ploesti Rom 79 Moscovici/ Husi Rom 55

Kahane/Cahane Galati Rom 103 Leibdamsig Bucecea Rom 45 Moscowitz

Kahane/Cahane Bucuresti Rom 103 Leibovici Vaslui Rom 8 Moscovici Dorohoi Rom 45

Kahner Iasi Rom 76 Leibovici Birlad Rom 8 Moscovici/ Bucuresti Rom 55

Kahnan ? Rom 6 Leibovici Chemevsky Ufa- 8 Moscowitz

Kalmonowitz Iasi Rom 97 Leibovici/ Drlnceni Rom 55 Moscovici Birlad Rom 55

Kalstein Kishineve Mold 110 Leibowitz Moscowitz Birlad Rom 55

Kampelmacber Roman Rom 14 Leibovici/ Husi Rom 55 Moscowitz PiatraNeami Rom 189

Kantar Dorohoi Rom 1)1 Leibowitz Moscovitz Bucuresti Rom 151

Kantar Botosani Rom 111 Leibovici/ Birlad Rom 55 Moshkowitz Botosani Rom 157

Kamiol Moinesti Rom 26 Leibowitz Moskowitz Bucuresti Rom 115

Kass Bacau Rom 31 Leibovici/ Bucuresti Rom 55 Moskowitz Iasi Rom 15

Kastner, Kassner Rldauti Rom 22 Leibowitz Moskowitz/ Bucuresti Rom 124

Kastner, Kassner Birlad Rom 22 Leibowitz Frumushika Mold 81 Moscovici

Kastner, Kassner Cluj Rom 22 Lemberg Podul-Boaiei Rom 119 Mozes Halmeu Rom 129

Katz Calinesti Rom 86 Lender Viseude Jus Rom 114 Mazes Cidreag Rom 129

Katz Beltsy Mold 109 Lemer Dorohoi Rom 22 Muszkal Surduc? Rom 7

Kauffinan Galati Rom 183 Lichtman Iasi Rom 11 Muszkal Sighet Rom 7

Kaufman Bucuresti Rom 77 Liebdamsig Botosani Rom 45 Muszkal BaiaMare Rom 7

Kaufman Dragomiresti Rom 114 Under Birlad Rom 63 Meerovitz ? Birlad Rom 181

Kellerman Bacau Rom 51 Litwin ? Rom 22

Ressner Radutl Rom 22 Lobl Bucuresti Rom 39 Nahmias Bucarest Rom 88

Kessner Birlad Rom 22 Lobl Roman Rom 39 Nathan Darabani Rom 125

Kessner Cluj Rom 22 Londa Azarnitz Mold 80 Nathan ? Rom 125

Kielstock Staneshti de Zos Ufa- 153 Lopatin Bucuresti Rom 36 Nathan Falteceni Rom 89

Kirshen Constanta Rom 95 Lovinsky Faleshty Mold 149 Nathan ? Rom 89

Klein Namoloasa Rom 98 Lustgarden Bucecea Rom 17 Nathanson RadSuti Rom 72

Klein Bucuresti Rom 41 Luttinger Chernovtsy Ukr 54 Nathanson Botosani Rom 72

Klein Rosiori de Vede Rom 41 Nathanson Dorohoi Rom 72

Klein Pitesti Rom 41 Maier Blondiana (Carana) ? 86 Nathanson RadSuti Rom 148

Klein Cidreag Rom 129 Marcovici Falticeni ? 183 Nathanson Botosani Rom 148

Klein Iasi Rom 41 Marcovici Bucuresti (?) Rom 161 Ncgru PiatraNeamt Rom 74

Klein Halmeu Rom 129 Marcu Iasi Rom 18 Newman Bucuresti Rom 36

Klein Mih&ileni Rom 98 Marcu/Marcus Botosani Rom 78 Niri/Neril/Nirel Pietyn Ufa- 142

Klein Braila Rom 46 Marcu/Marcus Iasi Rom 78 Notovitz Aleus Rom 27

Klein Cluj Rom 186 Marcus Khotin Ufa- 90

Kleinberg Botosani Rom 184 Marcus Bucuresti Rom 40 Oberman Bessarabia Ufa 192

Klipper Vizhnitsa Ufa- 130 Marcus Bucuresti Rom 185 Olchinetsky Odessa and ? 76

Kodel Bucuresti Rom 154 Marcus Bucuresti Rom 191 Osias Iasi Rom 172

Koenig Botosani Rom 78 Marcus Vaslui Rom 185 Oxenhorn/ Beltsy Mold 102

Koenig Iasi Rom 78 Marcus Laza Rom 185 Oxengom Beltsy Mold 102

Koenigsberg PiatraNeamJ Rom 189 Margolese ? Rom 167 Oxenhorn/ Kameaka Mold 102

Koffsman, Kaufman Kishinev Mold 110 Margolin Iasi Rom 120 Oxengom Kamenka Mold 102

Kohen Husi Rom 37 Margolin Grunazasty ? 120

Koben Vaslui Rom 37 Margolin Kishinev Mold 120 Paltiel Suceava Rom 184

Kobeo Botosani Rom 38 Margolin Chernovtsy Ufa- 120 Pank Kishinev Mold 122

Kolomear Kolomyya Ufa- 22 Margulis Husi Rom 42 Pansierer Chemevsky Ufa 66

Komfeld Iasi Rom 5 Margotis Husi Rom 42 Pascal Casin ? 49

Komfeld Birlad Rom 5 Margulis Birlad Rom 42 Pascal Moinesti Rom 49

Kreifl Bucuresti Rom 36 Margolis Birlad Rom 42 Pascal Roman Rom 49

KreiBberg Sadhora Ufa- 182 Matkowitcz Nagy Monujfalu ? 100 Pascal Manastirea ? 49

Krenzer Roman Rom 6 Markowitz Iasi Rom 18 Pascal TirguOcna Rom 49

16 ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

FAMILY FINDER-SURNAMES Town/Area Town/Area

tC.tltttitttlt+ll ft***** f»F-^i»/ifif nrtnr+iSurnames Researched Cntry Ref Surnames Researched Cntry Ref

1 \'i/*ll*«»HW« /I

Roth

Rothbaum

Cidreag?

Rom

Rom

129

21

Schwartz, SfartzSchwartz, Swortz

Tccuci Rom 138

Iasi Rom 44Town/Area

Rothbaum Bucuresti Rom 36 Schwartz/ Bucuresti Rom 36Surnames Researched Cntry *<f Rothman Frumushika Mold 81 Schwarz Bucuresti Rom 36

Pearlmutter ? Ufa- 168 Rotimberg Roman Rom 132 Schwirtz Lestetz Rom 167

Percian Bucuresti Rom 43 Rotstein Botosani Rom 92 Scliapnick Ungeny Mold 122

Perper Bucuresti Rom 26 Rottman Vizhnitsa Ufa- 142 Scliapnick Kishinev Mold 122

Picker Birlad Rom 161 Rovner Faleshty Mold 149 Seagl Ploesti Rom 79

Pincu Iasi Rom 3 Segal Botosani Rom 36

Platzman Braila Rom 36 Sakter Braila Rom 52 Segal Botosani Rom 62

Poch Kishinev Mold 122 Sakter Cotu Lung Rom 52 Segal Botosani Rom 78

Porges Mediash Rom 128 Saliter Iasi Rom 1 Segal Iasi Rom 78

Porges 7 Rom 128 Samuel Bucuresti Rom 43 Segal Craiova Rom 36

Poris Bucuresti Rom 191 Samuel/Samuels Bucuresti Rom 36 Segal Bucuresti Rom 36

Posner Podulloaie? Rom 131 Sandor Zaprosc 7 193 Segal(l) Hlrlflu Rom 92

Prager Braila Rom 36 SanEancu Iasi Rom? 91 Segall Dorohoi Rom 148

Praice, Press Birlad Rom 147 SanEancu Falciu Rom 91 Scgall Pascani Rom 131

Praice, Press Constanza Rom 147 Schacher Siret Rom 144 Segall Matei Rom 131

Prajan, Pregon ? Rom 90 Schachter/ Mihfiileni Rom 22 Segall Dorohoi Rom 72

Pragen ? Rom 90 Schechter Mihfiileni Rom 22 Seigler Ploesti Rom 10

Schachter/ Dorohoi Rom 22 Sein Bucuresti Rom 80

Rabinovici Braila Rom 115 Schechter Dorohoi Rom 22 Selaie Halauchesti Rom 170

Radoshkowitz ? Rom 21 Schachter/ Kamanesti ? 22 Seltzer Bucuresti Rom 151

Radovitz Tulchin Ufa- 22 Schechter Kamanesti ? 22 Semsa Halauchesti Rom 170

Rafulovitch Vicovu de Sus Rom 87 Schachter/ Herta Rom 22 Sfarti TirguFrumos Rom 120

Raiher, Reicher Kamerec Mold 90 Schechter Herta Rom 22 Shechter Mihfiileni Rom 22

Raiher, Reicher Podolski ? 90 Schachter/ Savani Rom 22 Sbechter Dorohoi Rom 22

Rapoport Faleshty Mold 135 Schechter Savani Rom 22 Shechter Kamanesti ? 22

Regenstreich Dorohoi Rom 69 Schachter/ Darabani Rom 22 Shechter Herta Rom 22

Regenstreich Mihfiileni Rom 69 Schechter Darabani Rom 22 Shechter Savani ? 22

Regenstreich Herta Rom 69 Schafer Bucuresti Rom 36 Shechter Darabani Rom 22

Regenstreich MMileni Ram 22 Schafer Faleshty Mold 135 Sbobet Bucuresti Rom 36

Regenstreich Herta Rom 22 Schafers ? Rom 135 Shore Bilirutka ? 168

Regenstreich TirguNeamj Rom 174 Schafters ? Mold 135 Shushanaky Zhitomir Ufa- 76

Regenstreif Mihfiileni Rom 22 Schechter Iasi Rom 117 Sinister Khotin Mold 118

Regenstreif Herta Rom 22 Schechter Siret Rom 98 Silberman 7 Rom 65

Regenstreif Dorohoi Rom 69 Schein Bucuresti Rom 80 Sllberman Roman Rom 6

Regenstreif Mihfiileni Rom 69 Schiffman Bucuresti Rom 36 Silberstein Bucuresti Rom 43

Regenstreif Herta Rom 69 Schindler Iasi Rom 57 Silverman ? Rom 124

Rdfler Chernovtsy Ufa- 130 Schindler Roman Rom 6 Silverman Roman Rom 6

Reiner Sibiu Rom 86 Schleicher Botosani Rom 78 Silverman Dorohoi Rom 184

Reancrt Staneahti de Zhos Ukr 153 Schleicher Iasi Rom 78 Singer Sorold Mold 75

Rigberg Bucuresti Rom 36 Schliapnick Kishinev Mold 122 Singer Dumbraveny Mold 75

Ritoff Braila Rom 36 Schluger/ ? Rom 136 Singer, Singher Birlad Rom 39

Rittner BacXo Rom 51 Schmarak Iasi Rom 38 Sister Bucuresti Rom 103

Rizo Bucarest Rom 88 Schmarok Roman Rom 39 Sklar Iasi Rom 107

Roffrnann Yedonitz Mold 33 Schmarak Bucuresti Rom 39 SMamflc Dumbrfiven Rom 177

Roisner Azamitz ? 102 Schnilowitz Iasi Rom 57 Sfacinka/ Arad Rom 59

Roisner Beltsy Mold 102 Schnilowitz Iasi Rom 44 Skrainka Arad Rom 59

Romascan(u) PiatraNeamt Rom 190 Schoenberg Teleneshty Mold 137 Smil Iasi Rom 70

Rosen Iasi Rom 115 Scboenberg Bogoslav ? 137 Smilov(w)itz Iasi Rom 19

Rosen Bucuresti Rom 36 Schonberg Teleneshty Mold 137 Smilov(w)itz Bucuresti Rom 19

Rosenbach Chernovtsy Ufa- 54 Schonberg Bogoslav ? 137 Smilov(w)itz Botosani Rom 19

Rosenbanm Iasi Rom 57 Schor/Schorr Iasi Rom 134 Smilovitz Vojnag Ufa- 140

Rosenbaum SvartzStimah ? 162 Shor Iasi Rom 134 Smilovitz Iasi Rom 57

Rosenbaum Bucuresti Ram 32 Schreiber Tuyi Rom 190 Solomon Dej Rom 193

Rosenberg Kishinev Mold 187 Schreiber Chernovtsy Ufa- 190 Solomon Falciu Rom 165

Rosenberg Slobozia Comaristilor Scbwam Chij Rom 186 Solomon Husi Rom 37

Rom 87 Schwartz last Rom 179 Solomon Husi Rom 165

Rosenblatt ? Ram 22 Schwartz Meszko ? 127 Solomon Iasi Rom 56

Rosener Dragomlresh 7 120 Schwartz Cluj Rom 127 Solomon Cluj Rom 127

Rosenfeld Roman Rom 132 Schwartz Sincrai Ram 127 Solomon Yedintsy Mold 33

Rosentfeig Bacau Ram 50 Schwartz Moinesti Rom 49 Solomon Vaslui Rom 37

Rosenthal Braila Rom 115 Schwartz Viora de Sus ? 127 Solomon Vaslui Rom 176

Rosenzweig Tukea Rom 50 Schwartz Braila Rom 90 Solomon Pungesti Rom 176

Rosenzweig Bmsturoasa Ram 50 Schwartz Botosani Rom 150 Solomovitz Botosani Rom 145

Rosman Sasarm Rom 58 Schwartz Botosani Rom 145 Sommer Focsani Rom 115

Rosman Dej Rom 58 Schwartz Ploesti Ram 139 Sommer Braila Rom 115

Rosman Purkary Mold 58 Schwartz Galati Rom 6 Sommer Constantsa Rom 115

Rosman Reteag Ram 58 Schwartz Bhiad Rom 139 Sommer Galati Rom 115

Rosman BogatadeSus Ram 58 Schwartz TirguFrumos Rom 120 Sonnblumen ? Rom 132

Rosner Iasi Rom 120 Schwartz, Sfartz BhusM ? 138 Sophier Bucuresti Rom 36

Roth Halmeu Ram 129 Schwartz, Sfartz Nicoresti Rom 138 Spachner Braila Rom 36

ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995 17

FAMILY FINDER-suRNANES Tmn/Area Surnames Tewn/Aree

Researched Cntry Ref Surnames Researched Cntry Ref(Continuedfrom previous page)

Tinner

Treictman

Tsugel

Tecuci

Kishinev

Dumbraveny

Rom

Mold

Mold

138

168

160

Weintraub

Weiss

Weiss

Bucuresti, IasiClujIasi

Rom

Rom

Rom

161

Town/Area 116Surnames Researched Cntry Ref Tuchlen Bucuresti Rom 43 Weissbratten

Weitzner

Iasi

Ticu

Rom

Rom

159

Spiller Galati Rom 46 100

Springer Brfiila Rom 115 Umensky Braila Rom 162 Weoder Iasi Rom 120

Sprintz Iasi Rom 5 Unterman Iasi Rom 73 Wender PiatraNeamt Rom 120

Staiman Iasi Rom 70 Wender TirguFrumos Rom 120

Stein Iasi Rom 188 Valzer ? Rom 80 Winakor Khotin Ufa- 118

Sterner Bucuresti Rom 41 Valzer Azamitz Mold 80 Wind Galati Rom 115

Steinman Chernovtsy Ufa- 163 Vainberg Botosani Rom 62 Wind Constantsa Rom 115

Stem Iasi Rom 101 Vaisbraten Iasi Rom 159 Wind Braila Rom 115

Sternberg Galati Rom 71 Veintraub Bucuresti, Iasi Rom 161 Wind Focsani Rom 115

Sternberg Chernovtsy Ufa 155 Vereta Dumbrfiven Rom 177 Wittner Zerind Rom 173

Sternberg Sadogura ? 96 Vereta Soroki Mold 75 Wittner Iasi Rom 173

Steinberg Chernovtsy Ufa- 155 Vereta Dumbraveny Mold 75 Wittner Botosani Rom 173

Sternberg Bucuresti Rom 155 Vlodinger Galati Rom 174 Wittner Snyatin Ufa- 101

Steinberg Bucuresti Rom 155 Vlodinger Constanta Rom 174 Wolffe Halauchesti Rom 170

Strulovitz Roman Rom 14 Wurmbrandt Chernovtsy Ufa 54

Strumenger Roman Rom 120 Wagner Khotin Ufa- 144

Stromenger Iasi Rom 120 Wagner Raman Ram 11 Yedkovsky Bessarabia U/M 169

Sufrin PiatraNeamt Ram 178 Wagner Iasi Rom 11

Sugar Botosani Rom 115 Waldman Bucuresti Ram 40 Zalman Moldavia Rom 72

Sussman Podulloaie Rom 93 Wallach Siret Ram 22 Zahnan PoduTurcului Rom 72

Sussman TurguOcna Rom 126 Wechsler Iasi Rom 81 Zalman Birlad Rom 133

Sussman Moinesti Rom 126 Wecfanan Botosani Rom 157 Zehooviri lay Rom 40

Weiland Iasi Rom 70 Zeilscovitz Birlad Rom 181

Tangiu Herta Rom 72 Weinberg Bucuresti Rom 32 ZibboliB Braila Rom 103

Taubes Iasi Ram 134 Werner Vizhnitsa Ufa- 142 Zielscovitz Birlad Rom 181

Tazloy PiatraNeamt Ram 74 Wemstock ? Rom 180 Zingher Dumbraveny Mold 75

Tenenhause ? Rom 22 Weintraub Yedintsy Mold 171 Zingher Soroki Mold 75

Teszler SatuMare Rom 146 Weintraub Lipkany Mold 171 Zucker Bucuresti Rom 36

Teszler ? Rom 146 Wdnh-aub Khotin Ufa- 171 Zuckerman Iasi Rom 172

Tinner Bhushi ? 138 Weintraub Novoseltsy Ufa 171 Zumer ? Rom 170Tinner Nicoresti Rom 138 Weintranb PiatraNeamt Rom 74

If yot -to contiaue receiving ROM-SIG- NEWS without intem^tion,you should fill out &ereaewal form indiidi A

• IB 'Sf] te$ ;&Xr7W ':-:'̂ ||;|;• SiN •1111

. j-:} :/•£• • ,; ;,.::'--bb••..'•.•, .Bbbb-BBB, ..m-,

"•••••••"."..: . ••*•<.'-•• • -: - . -'::. B^fe;#|fc . :.:;:W,v c:M:, •':':< BB't ^I^^StBi SB,

Besure to mcltideyqur^ numh&KIjyQu have- a Faxnumber or anE-Mail address, please tnciude that also.

18 ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

FAMILY FINDER -BY TOWNS

The towns shown are spelled as correctly as we can determinefrom our various sources, primarily Where Once We Walked,Mokotoffand Sack, 1991. Wherever possible, the town names assubmitted by researchers have been corrected. The "Remarks"column may show the town as submitted by the researcher or the

Town Cntry Remarks Surnames & Researcher No(s).Banat Rom Ardelean, Latinkin (2)Bessarabia M/U Obeiman (192), Yedkovsky/Ekodky/Itkovsky

(169)

Bukmina ? Indianer(123)Moldova ? Schsilcrs(135)

Berkowitz, Caesannan (90),Cohen, Edelstein(120X Finkelstein (22), Friedman, Fried (104XGutman, Hutman (22X Hirsch (172X Hornstein(115), Herskovici (132X Hersbenhorn (84XHerehkovitz (121), Imberg (108X Kalman (6XKundl (10X Litwin (22), Margolese (167),Porges (128), Radoshkowitz, Rothbaum (2IXSchafers (135X Schluger, Shluger (136XSil-bennan (65X Silverman (124X Sonnbhnnen(132X Teszler (146X Walzer(112X Weinstock(180X Zalman (72X Zumer (170)

Rom

Odessa and ?

Ukraine

Rom Olchinetsky (76)

Balaban, Pearimtrtter (168)

Alturio (115), Aspler (22X Caesannan (90XFinklestein (22X Friedman, Fried (104XOutman, Hutman (22X Hzkowitz (154XKundl (10), Litwin (22), Moscovici/Moscc-vitz (45X Prajan, Pregon, Pragen (90),Rosenblatt (22), Rosener (120), Singer (45)Steinberg (155X Tenenhause (22X Wender(120)

Albesti Rom Faibes/Feibesh (26)

Mens Rom Notovitz (27)

And Rom Ardelean (2X Bernat (86X Fuchs (46XJacob (86X latinkin (2), Sfaeinka,Strainka (59)

Azirnitx ? Bessarabia Entin, Roisner (102X Valzer (112)

Bacau Rom Cheis (30), Kass (31), Kellerman (51),Mendel (34X Rittner (5IX Rosentfeig (50)

Bagrlneshty Mold

Bagrinovka Ufa

Bahrinesti

Bahriiic^ii

Gutter, Ghitter (30)

Ghitter. Gutter (30)

BalaMsre Rom Banner, Muszkal (7)

Beltsy Mold Bessarabia Entin, Goldenberg (102X Katz (109XOxenhom/Oxengom, Roisner (102)

Bhnahl ? Schwartz, Sfartz, Tinner (138)Bttlrutka ? Shore (168)

Birlad Rom Beriad Abelescu (85X Arginter, Aronovitz (42XBarlad Berkowitz (63X Bloom/Blum (55X Braun (39),

David (139X Davis (42X Edelstein (120XFaibes (26X Feibesh (26X Finkelstein (161XFriedman (116X (133X Goldsmith (63), Goldstein (139) (181X Haimovitz (42X Jackowitc,Jakowitz, Jacobs (5X Kastner, Kassner Kessner

(22X Komfeld (5), Lamm (63X Leibovici (8XLeibowitz (55X Linder (63X Margulis, Mar-

town name as it was once known.

In the "Town" column below, regions or countries are shown initalics. Towns are shown in alphabetical order.

Numbers in parentheses refer to Researcher's number in themembership list that follows.

Town Cntry Remarks Surnames & Researcher No(s).BSrlsd (Omtinued) golis (42), Markowitz, Marcovici (139X May-

rovitz, Meerovitz (181X Picker (161X Praice,

Press (147X Schwartz (139X Singer, Singher(39), Zalman (133X Zeilscovitz, Zielscovitz

$mBtondltna ? Carana Jacob, Meier (86)

Bogata de Sus Rom

fky'.pjlsv

Pirfcnwt?

Botosani Rom Botoshani

Borienl Rom

Braila Rom

Rosman (58)

Scboenberg. Schonberg (137)

Greenberg (93)

Abramovici, Abramson (40X Abromoivicz,Abramovitz (90)(19X Antonier(lllX Aron,Aronowitz (78X Bacal (45) (lllX Barad (19),Bernstein (78X Botashana (175X Braverman(150X Brown (145X Clein (11IX Cohen (38XFeller (19X Goldenberg (115X Graif (29),Hirshkovitz, Hershkovitz (90X Kantar (111XWeinberg (184X Koenig (78X Kohen (38XLiebdamsig (45X Marcu, Marcus (78X Mohnblatt, Moonblott (29X Moscovici (62), Mosh-kowitz (157X Nathanson (148) (72), Rotstein(92X Schleicher (78X Schwartz (150X (145XSegal (36) (78) (62), Smilov(w)itz (19),Solomovitz (145), Sugar (115X Vainberg (62XWeckman (157X Wittner(173)Guttman(16)

Albahari, Alturio (115), Askenasy, Ashken-asy (36X Bercovic (52X Becovici, Bernard(36X Bernstein (90X Chilis/Keces (163XCohen (90X Friedman (115X Gross (97),Henkk (36X Klein (46X PlatzmanOTager (36).Rabinovici (115X Ritoff (36X Rosenthal(115X Sakter (52X Schwartz (90X Sommer(115X Spachner(36X Springer (115X Umen-sky(162), Wind (115XZibboliB (103)

Brichany Mold Bessarabia Fishbein, Olazer, Greenspan (169)Bruituroasa Rom

Bacecea Rom

Bucuregtl Rom Bucharest

:?.c.-.^izv.-cir, (50)

Abramovitz (17) (184), Bacal, Damsig (45XDavigner (17), Leibdamsig (45), Lustgarden

AmAbramovitz (19), Albahari (115), Arginteanu(43X Bakr (62X Barad (19X Barcher (36XBarudin (191X Beldner (9), Berkowitz (115),Berman (36X Bloom/Blum (55), Eisenberg(131), Ente (40X Feinblatt (131), Feldman (36)(43X Feller (19X Finkelstein (4IX Franco (88XFriedman (134), Goldenberg (115X Gokmer(192X Oreeaberg/Groenbcrg (36X Greenfield(80X Greenwald (36), Gutterman (191X Imberg(108), Itzkowitz (34X Josephson, Josefson(131), Knfler (36X Kahane/Cahane (103XKaufinan (77X Klein (41X Kodel (154X Kreis

ROM-SIG NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995 19

FAMILY FINDER - towns(Continuedfrom previous page)Town Cntry Remarks Surnames ^Researcher Nejs).

Bucuresti (Continued) (36X Kupfer (13IX Lazarescu (115XLeben-solm, Loebsohn (155), Leibovici/Leibowitz(55X Lobl (39X Lopatin (36X Marcovici (161XMarcus (40) (185) (191X Moscovici/Mosco-witz (55X Moacovitz (151), Moscowitz (115XMoskowitz, Moskovici (124), Nahmias (88),Newman (36), Percian (43X Perper (26X Peris(191X Rigberg (36), Rizo (88X Rosen (36XRosenbaum (32X Rothbaum (36X Samuel (43),Samuel/Samuels, Schafer (36), Schein (80),Schiffinan (36), Schmarok (39), Schwartz/Schwarz, Segal (36X Seta (80X Seltzer (151XShohet (36X Silbersteta (43X Sisler (103XSmilov(w)itz (19X Sophier (36X Steiner (41XSternberg, Steinberg (155), Tuchlen (43),Waldman (40X Weinberg (32X Weintraub/Veintraub (161XZucker (36)

Buna?! Rom Buhusi Mendel (34)

Bunfihumyad ? Haodin Farkas (100)eni RomBurduj Barash (38

CSlimSnesti Rom Transylvania Katz (86)Casta Pascal (49)

Chernovtsy Ukr Cernauti Bickel, Bikel (22X Blank, Blanc (54),Chemovitz Chameides (1IX Oaba, Geber, Gaber.Grun,Czemovitz Green (66X Guttmann (54), Herman (173X

Lawffer, Laufer (163X Leibovici (8X Luttinger(54X Margolin (120X Melach (22X Pansierer(66X Reifier (130X Rosenbach (54X Schreiber(190X Stetaman (163), Sternberg, Steinberg(155), Wurmbrandt (54)

Cidreag

Chij

Rom

Rom

Blau, Blier, Klein, Mazes, Roth (129)

Buchwald (127X Citrin, Czitrin (48X Dalpen,Dalpta (22X Daakel (127X Farkas (100X Gott-lieb, Gruber (127X Jacobs, Jakabs (186), Kastner, Kasner, Kessner (22), Klein (186X Sandor

(193), Schwam (186X Schwartz, Solomon(127X Weiss (186)

Codaejti Rem Bercovici (10)Constants Rom Constanza Albahari (115X Kirshen (95X Praice, Press

(147X Sommer. Wind (115)CotuLung Rom Sakter (52)

Craiova Rom David, Franco (88X Segal (36)Darbani Rom Darabani Nathan (125X Shechter, Schachter, Schechter

(22)Dej Rom Rosman (58X Solomon (193)DeJpotca ? ? Abramowitz (184)Dorohoi Rom Balan (2X Bujureanu (164X Cojacaru(177X

Feldn)an(20XKantar(lllXLerner(22X Moscovici (45X Nathanson (72X Regenstreich,Regenstreif (69X Segall (148) (72X Shechter,Schachter, Schechter (22X Silvennan (184)

Dragomiret Rom Dragmuresht Kaufman (114)Drinceni Rom Dranceni Bloom/Blum, Leibovici/Leibowitz,

Moscovici/Moscowitz (114)Dumbraveni Rom Dembroven Cojacaru, Leidennan, Sklamik, Vereta (177)Dumbraveny Mold Dambroven

Dumbrfiven

Botnick (160X Friedman (75X Fucks.Good-marts (160X Singer (75X Tsugel (160XVereta, Zingher (75)

Erd Hudr Erde Banner (7)

Falciu Rom SanEancu/Jacobs(91)Faleshty Mold Faleshti

Fale?tiGoldentaer, Goldentier, Goldentyer (106XLovinsky (149X Rapoport (135X Rovner(149X Schafer (135)

Falticeni ? ? Marcovici (183)Felnac ? Ardelean, Latinkin (2)I'lotvahtv Mold Floresti Faibes/Feibesh (26)Focsani Rom Beldner (9X Garber, Gelber, Gehrber, Ghelber,

Oherbor (167X Sommer, Wind (115)

Town Cntry RtmmAj Surnames AResemrcher Nmjs).

Fmmushica Mold Frumisica Brum (92X I^bowitz, Rothman (81)

Galati Rom Galatz Charas (45X Friedman (131X Goldberg (71XGoldenberg. Grunberg (28), Guttman (16XKahane/Cahane (103XKauffinan (183XSchwartz (6), Sommer (115X Spiller (46X

Halauchest ? Selaie, Semsa, Wolffe (170)Halmeu Rom Blau, Blier (129X Hershkowitz (86X Klein

Mazes, Roth (129)

Havima Rom Bujureanu (164)

Herta Rom Regenstreich, Regenstreif (69) (22X Shechter, Schachter, Schechter (22X Tangiu (72)

Hirlfiu Rom Blum, Catz (92), Goldensteyn, Goldstein (15XSegal. Seflall (92)

Husi Rom Arginter, Aronovitz (42X Bloom/Blum(55XDavis, Haimovitz (42X Imberg (108X Kohen(37X Leibovici/Leibowitz (55X Margulis/MargoUs (42X Moscovici/Moscowitz (55),Solomon (37)

Iasi Rom Jassy Abraham (159X Abramovitz (19X Abramowitz(101X Aran, Aronowitz (78X Auerbach (35XAzelrad (3X Barad (19X Bercovici (23X Bernstein (78XBlumenfeld (93X Brocksmeyer(1IXCracaoanu, Cracojaner (183X Dehnan (76XEisenstein (123), Eliescu (117X Feigenbaum(57X Feller (19), FeuerBtein (21X Friedman(133X Giniger, Ginger (80) (156X Glasser(12XGold (56X Goldenberg (81) (176), Goldensteyn(15X Goldstein (35X Graif (29X Gredinger(44X Grossman (107X Gruber (73X Hatoem(76X Heller (1), Herschkowitz (11), Hershcu(44X Horn (18), Iskowitz (34X Kahner (76XKatasonowltz (97X Kleta (41X Koenig (78XKomfeld (5), Kupfer (131X Landau (134XLichtman (1IX Marcu (18) (78) (185X Marcus(78X Margolin (120X Markowitz (18X Mcndel-owitz (179), Mohnblatt, Moonblott (29X Moskowitz (15X Osias (172X Ptacu (3X Rosen,Rosenbaum (115X Saliter(l), San Eanci (91),

Schechter (117XSchindler(57X Schleicher(78X Schmarak (38X Schnilowitz (57) (44XSchcc, Schorr, Shcc(134X Schreit>er(190XSchwartz (44X (179), Segal (78X Sklar(107XSmil (70X Smilov(w)itz (57X (19X Solomon(56X Sprintz (5X Stainman (70X Stein (188),Stern (10lXStnimenger(120X Swariz (44XTaubes (134X Unterman (73X Vaisbraten(159XWagner (1IX Wechsler (81X Weiland (70XWeiss (116X Weissbratten (159X Wittner(173XZelicovici (40X Zuckerman (172)

Ivesti Rom Cantar (mi.Kalarash Mold Kelarasz Daotch(122)

Kamanesti ?

Kamenka Mold

Shechter, Schachter, Schechter (22)

Oxenhom/Oxen^orn (102)Kamerec Rwihrr, Reicher (90)Khotin Ukr Chotin Atabinder, Einbinder (17 lXAltman, Cohen

(118XGrossman (171), Marcus (90X Shuster(118X Wagner (144X Weintraub (171XWinakor (118)

Kishinev Mold

Kolomyya Ufa

Leovo Rom

Lestetz

T.irrwTHJcoje ?

Linskpadolsk ?Lipcany Mold

Li tin Ufa-

Blumenfeld (156XBromberg, Gelberg (122),Giniger, Ginger (80) (156X Graboyes, Kal-stein, Koffsman (110X Margolin (120), Panic,Poch (122XRosenberg (187), Schliapnick,Scliapnick (122X Treistrnan (168)Kolomear (22)

Buchman (176)

Schwirtz(167)Fi^wmm(37)

Fishman (37)Grossman, Weintraub, Atabinder, Einbinder

1222Landau (134)

20 ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

FAMILY FINDER - towns(Continuedfrom previous page)

Tern Cntry Remarks Surnames ^Researcher No(s).

MSnJSstirea

Casin Rom Pascal (49)

Maramures Rom Budesti Gultman(16)

Matei Rom Matea Segall (131)

Media; Rom Mediash Porges (128)

Meszko f Schwartz (127)

Miercurea

NirajvluiRom Mercurae-

NirajCitrin, Czitrin (48)

MiMileni Rom

Rom

Barash (38), Klein (98), Lebel (38X Regenstreich, Regenstreif (69) (22), Shechter,Schachter, Schechter (22)

Mihal^ Rom Miholtz Mendel (86)

Mikhokbe Ufa Mendel (86), .

Rom.... #»»*•»• ratlin*

Greenberg (126X Isenfeld/Izenfeld, Karniol(49X Moinester (22X Pascal, Schwartz (49XSussman (126)

Moldan ? Vitava Faibes/Feibesh (26])Nagy Monojfala ? Markowitcz(lOO)

Namoloasa Rom Klein (98)

Nemes Koeze ? Farkas (100)

Nicorcfti Rom Schwartz, Sfartz, Tinner (138)

Nogyzben ? Horowitz (162)

Novoseltsy Ufa Hungary Ainbinder, Einbinder, Grossman, Weintraub(171)

Pascani Rom Ardelean, Latinkin (2XBlumenfeld, Goldberg(93)f Josephson, Josefsohn, Segall (13IX

Pccska ? Ardelean. T^tinlrin (2)PiatraNeamJ Rom Bessler (91X Braunstein (15X Gold, Golden

berg, Goldberg (189X Goldstein (15), Gredinger, Kahane (44), Koenigsberg (189XMoscowitz (189), Negru (74), Romascan(u)(190X Sufrin (178X Tasloy, Weintranb (74)

Pietyn ? Niri/Neril/Nirel (142)Pitejti Rom Klein (41)

Ploesti Rom David. Goldstein (139X Herman, Labovitch,Labovitch, Leib, Leibovici (79X Markowitz,Markovici, Schwartz (139X Seagl, Seigler (10)Podolski ?, Raiher, Reicher (90)

PoduDoaie Rom Abramowitz (188), Blumenfeld (93XEisenberg, Friedman (131X Goodman, Greenberg

(93), Kupfer (131XLemberg(119XPosner (131XSussman (93)PoduTurcului Rom Greenspan, Zalman(72)Pungesti Rom Solomon (176)Purkary Mold Purcareti Rosman (58])Radauu' Rom Auschulovkh (20X Dalpen, Dalpin, Kastner,

Kassner, Kessner(22), Nathanson (72) (148)Raducaheni Rom Bercovici (88X Milberg (119), Goldeberg

(102)Raskov ? Goldenberg (102)

Reteag Rom Rosman (58)

Roman Rom

Roaiori Rom

de Vede

Sadhora Ufa

SanMiklos ?

Sapinja Rom

Arginlaru (6X Aronovici (49X Berkowitz (6),Campell, Campellmacber, Kampelmacber (14XGilbert (167X Glasser (120X Guttman (16XHaber (98X Herschkowitz (11), Julius (1IXKrenzer (6X Lobl (39), Pascal (49X Rosen-feld, Rotimberg (132), Schindkr (6X Schmarok(39X Silberman, Silverman (6), Strulovitz(14X Stmmenger (120),Wagner (11).Klein (41)

Krcisberg(182)Citrin, Czitrin (48)

Deutsch(140)

Town Cntry Remarks Surnames AJResearcher No(s).

Sasarm Rom Rosman (58)

SatuMare Rom Teszler (146)

Savani Shechter, Schachter, Schechter (22)

Sibiu

Sigbet

Rom Hermanstadt Horowitz (162), Mendel, Reiner (86)

Rom Maramarosh

ZigetSzigctMaramaros

Ganz, Gantz (105X Giniger, Ginger (156XGreenwald (162X Muszkal (7)

Sinautii dc Jos Rom Sinaii Feinblatt (131)

Sincrai ? Coyoona Schwartz (127)

Siret Rom Banner (7X Engel (113X Fuchs (101X Schncher(144), Schechter (98X Wallach (22)

Sirets Mold Oaba. Geber, Gaber (66)

Skulyany Mold Skuljany Fiterman (71)

Slobozia Rom

Comaristilor

Slobotzi

Comoresti

Rosenberg (87)

Snyatin Ukr Wittner (101)

Soroki Mold Friedman, Singer, Vereta, Zingher (75)Staneshti

deZhos

Ukr

Ukr

Staheftiedc Jus

Kielstock, Rennert (153X Rennert

Sueeava Rom Ghitter. Guttman (31\ Paltiel (184)

Surdesti Rom Surdoc Muszkal (7)

SvartzStimah ? Bessarabia Ganz,Rosenbaum(162)Szibo ? Farkas (100)

Faibea, Feibesh (26)

Tecuci Rom Tecucai Cantar (111), Schwartz, Sfartz, Tinner (138)

Teleneshty Mold Telenerti Bronstcin, Fishman, Fichman, Hochman, Goich-man, Schoenberg, Schonberg (137)

Tetskany Ukr Tetcani Eisenfeld, Izenfeld/Iiienfeld (49)

Ticu Rom Tiho Weitzner(lOO)Timijoara Rom Ardelean, latinkin (2)

Tirgu Frumas Rom Abramowitz (101X Copil (154) Wender (120)

TirguOcna Rom Aronovici, Eisenfeld (49), Greenberg (126),Izenfeld, Pascal (49X Sussman (126)

Trestiana Rom Balan(2)

Tulcca Rom Berger, Rosenzweig (50)

Tulchin Ufa- Dahpen, Dalpin, Radovitz (22)

Turda Rom Buchwald (127)

Turgu Neamt Rom Cracoanu, Cracojaner, Cracaoanu (183), Ghid-ale (174), Finkelstein (8X Regenstreich (174)

Ungeny Mold Primmer, Scliapnick (122)

Untseshty ? Fiterman (71)

Vaslui Rom Borashana (175X Braun, Braunstein (15XFaibes/Feibesh (26X Faibisch, Marcu (185XMoritz (103), Kahana (175X Kohen (37XLeibovici (8X Solomon (37) (176)

Vicovu de Sus Rom Oberwikow Alpcm, Rafulovitch (87)

Viora de Sus Rom Mardsujvar Schwartz (127)

ViseudeJos Rom Alsoviso Lender(114)Vissulia ? Berkowitz (91)

Vizhnitsa Ufa- Visnitz Klipper (130), Rottman, Weiner (142)

Vojnag Ufa Smilovitz (140)Yedintsy Mold Yediniti Blumenfeld (156X Ackerman (33), Ainbinder,

Fjnbinder, Grossman (171XHorowitz, Roff-mann, Solomon (33), Weintraub (171)

Zaprosc ? HJrsch,Sandor(193)

Zerind Rom Wittner (173)

Zhitomir Ufa- Zitomir Giniger, Ginger (156), Greenspan, Shushansky

ROM-SIG MEMBERSHIP NEARING 200Membership in ROM-SIG stood at 191 as this issue went to

press, including 18 going to Canada, United Kingdom, France,Israel, Australia, Argentina... and Romania.

ROM-SIG NEWS, Vol. 3, No .4, Summer 1995 21

FAMILY FINDER- researchers

Listed below are the names and addresses of the

researcher/members of ROM-SIG. The number

preceding the name refers to the numbers that appearin both the Surname and Towns hstings of the Family

Finder. Although it appears that this list is inalphabetical order, it is not. Numbers were laterassigned in order of numerical sequence when newadditions were made to the membership list.

FFi S::rnr:::* First Name(s) Street Address Cay Stmte CMe Internet Address

1 ACKERMAN Dr. Lowell HC 3, Box 672N Payson AZ 85541 ackerman@aztec.a8u.edu2 ARDEL DanG. 9882 Cris Avenue Anaheim CA 92804-5915

3 ATKIN Pearl 85 Aspinwall Rd. Briarcliff NY 10510

4 AUOENBRAUN Hedy 4697 Main St. Bridgeport CT 06606-1803

5 AXELRAD N.Risa 800 Grand Concourse Bronx NY 10451

6 BADER Andrew N. 63 Floral Drive West Plainview NY 11803

7 BANNER Nora 6533 Alpine Lane Bradenton PL 34208

8 BARKAI Arye 2150 San Souci Blvd., Apt B205 North Miami FL 33181

9 BELDNER Oscar 14194 Parliament Dr. Chesterfield MO 6301710 BERCuvrrz Rick P.O. Box 39 Stratford VT 05072

11 BBRMAN Roberta Wagner 1265 Pearl St. LaJolla CA 92037

12 BRATU Marcel/Mary 707 Mix Avenue Hamden CT 06514

14 CAMPELL Henry S. 710 Beechnut Lane Martinsville VA 24112

15 COHN Rivca 5214 Drake Terrace Rockville MD 20853

16 EDWARDS ArleneB. 1001 Highlight Dr. West Covina CA 91791

17 ELPERN Sam & Joy L. 27 Hawthorne St. Greenwich CT 06831 samelpern@aol.com18 ELSTEIN Mrs. Henry 244 Main St Southport CT 06490

19 FELLER Naomi Baird 5 Knox Place Dix Hills NY 11746-550520 FINER Rivkah 118 North Sixth Ave. Highland Park NJ 0890421 FIRESTONE Bill 1627 Taylor Lane Santa Cruz CA 95062

22 FJTLEBERG GaryS. 24106 Kittridge St West Hills CA 9130723 FRIEDMAN Ronald 5743 Theobald Rd. Morton Grove IL 6005326 GOLDSTEIN Irene Saunders 4927 King David Blvd. Annandale VA 2200327 COULD Alice P. 21 Knoll Terrace West Caldwell NJ 0700628 GREENBERG Allen 500 E. 77 SL, Apt. 1208 New York NY 1016229 GRYFE Cyril 17 Paddock Court Willowdale ONT M2L2A730 GUTTMAN Herb 701 King SL West, Apt 414 Toronto ONT M5V2W731 GUTTMAN Stan 45 Raebum Ave. North York ONT M3H-1G932 HODES Dr. Jay R. 4261 Cedros Sherman Oaks CA 9140333 HOFFMAN Marilyn 5440 N. Braeswood, #954 Houston TX 7709634 IVES Joel 31-01 BerdanAve. Fairiawn NJ 0741035 JACOBS Glenn A. 4004 Sagemore Dr. Martian NJ 0805336 JANE PhylHsM 425 Garden City Dr. Monroeville PA 1514637 KOHEN David M. 121 Rachel Rd. Newton Centre MA 02159-2924 davidjR3ben@bcsinfo.bcs.org38 LANTHEAUME Shelley 32 Holiday Park Dr. Hnuppage NY 11788

39 LEESON RosarmeD. 1821 Granger Ave. Los Altos CA 94024-0716 lee80ii@adrmn.fhda.edu40 MARCUS WayneS. 19411 Sierra Chula Rd. Irvine CA 9271541 MARGOLIS M/M Bernard 6629 B. Calle Cavalier Tucson AZ 8571542 MARGOLIS Rita Krakowcr 11112 Arroyo Dr. Rockville MD 20852-326043 MINKOFF Sophie 32-20 89th St, Apt 611 Flushing NY 1136944 MORRIS Mona 2247 NW 62 Drive Boca Raton FL 33496-351045 MOSCOVTTZ June FDR Sta. P.O. Box 8526 New York NY 10150-852646 oGusHwrrz Gertrude Singer 19 Steers Heights Rd. Starrs CT 0626848 OPPMAN Ann 5431 Paisley Lane Houston TX 7709649 PASCAL PaulMicheikm 184 StratbeamRd. Toronto ONT M6C1S4 75332.2735@compuserve.com50 PAULE Leon S. 2511 -25th SL Santa Monica CA 90405-281551 POLLACK Nelson 6252 Golden Coin Ct Columbia MD 2104552 RABJNOVJTZ Judith B. 10 Homestead Rd. West Simsbury CT 0609254 RICH Arlene 996 Eastlawn Drive Highland His. OH 4414355 RIDER Carol Rombro 2707 Moores Valley Dr. Baltimore MD 2120956 RILEY Gayle Schlisscl 612 E. Live Oak fA San Gabriel CA 9177657 ROSENBAUM Paul 19 Pine Needle Rd. Wayland MA 0177858 ROSMAN Stephen M. 1081 Island Drive Commerce MI 4838259 RYAN Mary Josephine 13218F Fiji Way Marina del Rey CA 90292

22 ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

FAMILY FINDER - researchers(Continuedfrom previous page)

FFH Surname First Name(s) Street Address City State Code Internet Address

60 SACK Sallyann Amdur 7804 Edenwood Court Bethesda MD 20817

62 SEGAL Bruno 4021 North 40 Avenue Hollywood FL 33021 a013597t@bcfreenetseflm.lib.fl.us63 SHIELD Dr. Joel D. 204 Lancaster Terrace Brookline MA 02146

65 SILBERMAN Stephen 2738 0reenleafSt. AUentown PA 18104

66 SJMON Marjorie Gaber 51 LinbrookRd. West Hartford CT 06107 74243.3271 @compu*srve.com69 STARN Gene & Elaine P.O. Box 520583 Longwood FL 32752 topgenie@aol.com70 STEJNMANN David P. 1185 Park Ave., Apt 4H New York NY 10128-1309

71 STERNBERG Williams. 210 W.Grant St, #615 Minneapolis MN 55403-2246

72 TALMOR Monica 211 High Top Circle Hamden CT 06514

73 UNTERMAN EdanG. 2 Tudor City Place New York NY 10017

74 WEINTRAUB Mclvin & Judy 8307 Harding Skokie JL 60076-2712 mel.weintraub@panj.abbott.com75 ZAKAI Marlene 11908TildenwoodDr. Rockville MD 20852 7akai@aol.com76 ZELVIN Vivian Y. 3 Douglas Place Eastchester NY 10709

77 ZYSMAN Adrienne 1359 Henrietta Ct Fair Lawn NJ 07410

78 ROSENBLUM Josephine 3340 Lamarque Drive Cincinnati OH 45236

79 RAYBURN Bev 47RoztnusBay Winnipeg MTA R2P1E2

80 GOUT Roberta 9024 Falls Chapel Way Potomac MD 20854

81 LEEDS Alfred B. 5188 Oak Hill Lane, Apt 1113 DelrayBeach FL 33484

84 KRAMER Stephen 15 Juniper Dr. Clifton Park NY 12065

85 SMITH R.MJL 2, Observatory Road, East Sheen, London U.K SW14 7QD

86 BAER Jerome 105KingsdaleAve. Cherry Hill NJ 08003

87 BARENT RaeMelnick 4257 Saline St, 1 Pittsburgh PA 15217

88 BERCOVICI Gerard 7 Rue du Javelot 75013 Paris France

89 BERMAN Loma 1-493 Beechwood Dr. Waterloo Ont N2T1H8

90 BERNSTEIN Debra 443 Peakham Road Sudbury MA 01776-2218 berostein@pasta. enet. dec.com91 BESSLER Joe 6716 Bestwood Ct San Diego CA 92119

92 BLOOM Dr. Jack H 23 Sherman St Fairfield CT 06430

93 BLUMENFELD Phyllis 2224 E. 14th St Brooklyn NY 11229

94 CHESTER AfoertoGuido Borges848 (1636)OUvos Argentina baircs@mafacl.satlink.net95 CURLIN Charlotte M. P.O. Box 9246 Auburn CA 95604

96 DANKNER Wayne M. 13405 Turiock Court San Diego CA 92129

97 DAVIDSON Shirley 100 LaSalle St., 15C New York NY 10027

98 EISNER J. Michael 312 Oliver Rd. New Haven CT 06515 jme.dv8email@uunet.uu.net99 FALK Julian 2131 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15219

100 FARKAS Richard 3647 Radclifle Dr. Northbrook IL 60062

101 FOX Sheila 22 Quayle Court So. Huntington NY 11746

102 FREEMAN JayE. 799 Park Ave. New York NY 10021 ncjc5Sa@prodigy.com103 FRIEDMAN Dr. Daniel S. 1919 S.W. 170th Seattle WA 98166

104 FRIEDMAN Leonard A 471 EdensLane Northfield IL 60093

105 GANZ Michael 600 West 239 St, Apt 5E Bronx NY 10463 ndg7@inibara.cc.columbia.edu

106 GERTZ Adina 147-07 69th Rd. Flushing NY 11367 dgertz@smtplink.mssm.edu107 GORELICK Glenn A. 360ToyonRd. SierreMadre CA 91024 76675.1562@compuserve.com108 IMBURG Dr. Irving 4709 Foxhall Crs. NW Washington DC 20007

109 KATES Daniel E., M.D. 4238 N. 35th St Phoenix AZ 85018 dkales@ramp.com110 KALSTEJN Kenneth F. 3915-22ndSt San Francisco CA 94114 klc£hadow@terra. sirius.com111 KANTAR Barney R. 715 WestcliffRd.. Wilmington DE 19803

112 KLEIN Muriel Walzer 102 W.York Court Longwood FL 32779-4636

113 KLEJN Ted 85 East India Row, #39P Boston MA 02110

114 LENDER Samuel 700 NW 32 Ave. DelrayBeach FL 33445-2070

115 LEONARD Dr. Phillip J. 7400 StonediffCove Austin TX 76731

116 LEVIN hv P.O. Box 49166 Los Angeles CA 90049

117 LICHTIG Judith G. 31899 Gates Mills Blvd Pepper Pike OH 44124

118 LINDNER Manfred & Bemice 32CorteNogal Danville CA 94526-2423

119 LUBIN Melvin 250 Sunset Ave. Englewood NJ 07631

120 MARGOLIN Jerry 40 Allen Farm Lane Concord MA 01742 jerrym@ll.mit.edu121 MAYO RuthH. 1161 Phyllis Court Mountain View CA 94040

122 McGRADY Corinne P.O. Box 27 Lilliwaup WA 98555

123 MEYERS Marcia 6537 Kansas Ave. Hammond IN 46323

124 MBERROCHI Lynda Handman 8006 Espanola Trail Austin TX 78737-1333

125 NATHAN JeanO. 3803 MacNicholas Ave. Cincinnati OH 45236

126 NEWMAN Marilyn 216 Harrow Drive Pittsburgh PA 15238

127 PALGON Gary 2700 Claridge Court Atlanta OA 30360 HBJN69D@prodigy.com128 PORGES Antoine F. 19 Avenue Raymond Poincare 5116 Paris France

129 RADOVICH Hillary 25942 Hitching Rail Road Laguna Hills CA 92653

130 REIFLER Albert H 24220 Church St. Oak Park MI 48237

131 RENCK Ellen Sadove 10 Overlook Rd. Scaredale NY 10583-3012

132 ROTH David 16 Oman Avenue, London United Kingdom NW2 6BG

133 SANCHEZ Toby 2410 Glenwood Road Brooklyn NY 11210

134 SAWJTS RuthM. 259 Ackerman Ave. Emerson NJ 07630

135 SCHAFER Deborah P.O. Box 201 Greenfield MA 01302-0201 dvorahsv@aol.com

ROM-SIG NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995 23

FAMILY FINDER - researchers(Continuedfrom previouspage)

FFU Surname First Name(i) Street Address ay Skate Code Internet Address

136 SCHLUGER Richard 183 Sullivan St, Ap;L F6 New York NY 10012

137 SCHOENBERO Col. Irving 1018 Winding Ridge Ct Dunwoody GA 30338-3950

138 SCHWARTZ FredM. 2 San Miguel Court Manhattan Bch CA 90266

139 SCHWARTZ Norton 2299 8th Avenue Sacramento CA 95818

140 STDELNICK Lena 1075 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre PA 18702

141 SIEGLER Jonathan 5339 Round Meadow Rd. Hidden Hills CA 91302-1167

142 SIMON Phyllis N. 19 Earl Road Melville NY 11747

143 SIMON Susan 353 South Union Cranford NJ 07016

144 SKYDELL Carol W. P.03. 443 Chihnark MA 02535 skydell(Stool,com

145 soLOMOwrrz Dr. Benjamin 75-25 210 Street Bayside NY 11364

146 TESLER Larry P.O. Box 1449 Cupertino CA 95015-1449

147 TOLKTN Arnold 7 Aerie Court North Hills NY 11030-4020 wholesale travel, Boynton Beach. FL

148 URY Roberta 263 Dennis Lane Glencoe IL 60022 urbhmi@orion.depaul.edu

149 WEINER Miriam 136 Sandpiper Key Secaucus NJ 07094-2210

150 WETNER Neil lPagesHill London UK N10 1PX

151 YOUNG MaryT. 909TijerasN.W. #307 Albuquerque NM 87102-2960

152 ZUBATSKY DavidS. 308 Church Street Lancaster PA 17602-4202

153 ZUCKER Esther Rennert 15 Eighth Avenue New York NY 10014-1802

154 ZUCKERMAN Andrea Stone 5350 Broad Branch Rd. NW Washington DC 20015

155 ARONS Ron 4012 Whittle Ave. Oakland CA 94602

156 GINGER Basile 48, roe Michel-Ange 75016 Paris France

157 BERDY Judith 580 Main St. New York NY 10044

158 FIRDMAN Billie G. 3 Wayside Lane Scarsdale NY 10583

159 PENZELL Bette 597 Avenida Majorca, #B Laguna Hills CA 92653-6715

160 PATERNOSTER Pamela Sussman 39-1/2 Kinnaird Street Cambridge MA 02139

161 GROLL Scott D. 6445 Enfield Ave. Reseda CA 91335

162 GREENWALD Jack 150 S. Monaco Pkwy., #306 Denver CO 80224

163 SELK3MAN Donald 5215 Franklin Ave. Los Angeles CA 90027

164 NESCHIS Nancy S. 98 Iron Gate Rd. Stamford CT 06903

165 ROSENBURG Jeffrey 222 Oakridge Blvd. Daytona Beach FL 32118

166 SCHWARTZ Jane Nancy 6262 Mojave Drive San Jose CA 95120

167 OELBER Terry P.O. Box 3078 Carlsbad CA 92009

168 TREBTMAN Avi Uziel 131/A Jerusalem Israel 96431

169 GLAZER Marci 2518 Franklin SL San Francisco CA 94123

170 KRES Mark 11708 Prairie Hen Lane Austin TX 78758 janet.kres@hub.una.infomail.com171 GROSSMAN Martin 13453 Ashworth PI. Cerritos CA 90703 marting628@aol.cam172 GOLDSMITH Sondra 1099 Haven Glen Lane Atlanta GA 30319

173 KAHN William 308 Beechwood Road Berwyn PA

174 WALDMAN ma 44 Stridesham Court Baltimore MD 21209 inaed@aol.com

175 JOSEPH Judith 25 Westboume Rd, Edgebastoi Birmingham UtdKgdm B153TX

176 BUCHMAN Beryle Solomon 2718 Laurel Oak Dr. Plant City FL 33567

177 SELEVAN Bees 205050 E. Country ClubDr. #153 N. Miami Bch FL 33180

178 KROHMALNIK Andrei 7/14 Schwartz St Raanana Israel 43212

179 KRANTZMAN Merle 6NetbertanCt Moraga CA 94556

180 GRAHAM Kathy #206, 12190-224th St Maple Ridge BC V2X6B6

181 MAYROVITZ Randy 6565 Fruitgift Place Columbia MD 21045

182 ULRKH Carl & Paula Box 77 Peers AB TOE lWo

183 FRANK Donald & Doris 6821 SW 147th Ave., #2A Miami FL 33193-1002 dofrank@aol.com184 LOWI Naomi Paltiel 4858 Cote dNeiges, #807C Montreal QU H3V1G8

185 GORDON KaycB. 659 Tomlinson Lane YanDey PA 19067-6329

186 AMCHIN Wayne 6070 California Circle #415 Rockville MD 20852

187 ATLAS Susan 6122 Rusk Ave. Baltimore MD 21209

188 ABRAMOWITZ Nathan 1 MacArthur Blvd. #1215 S Westmont NJ 08108 76165.3550@compuserve.com189 FOX Judi 5027 Wallbrook Court West Bloomfield MI 48322

190 GAVE Ruth & Jerry 2110 South Road Baltimore MD 21209

191 ZAVON Peter 30 Woodline Dr. Penfield NY 14526 pzavon@delphi.com192 OBERMAN Leslie 3/1274 Glen Huntley Victoria Australia 3163 oberman@tmxelb.mbs.oz.au193 SANDOR Earl 1310 Hudson Rd. Teaneck NJ 07666

Use the Family Finder as an added tool in your search for yourRomanian ancestors. The spelling of surnames is not absolute, aspeople changed the spelling of 1heir names to suit the country theywerein. Sometimesnames were shortened. And sometimes they werechanged completely, to a show an occupation or village name, forexample.

Contact feDow researchers who are seeking surnames from the

same village as you. Exchange information. One might have a listofnames from a town organization that could include someone youare searching for.

Be sure to notify ROM-SIG NEWS ofany errors, additions orcorrections, to be made in later issues.

And be sure to tefl us about your successes — and failures —itmight help someone else.

24 ROM-SIG NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

Family StoriesTell us what you know about your family.Send to ROM-SIG, 11908 Tildenwood Dr.,

Rockville, MD 20852

STRUMENGER - GLASER - MARGOLIN -

BARASH

I can't pinpoint exactly where my mother Charlotte MARGOLIN was bom, though my brother has the vague recollectionthat it might have been Roman. He also seems to remember hersaying that it not too far from Iasi. Her parents were Rachel DAVID and Israel STRUMENGER. After her father died her mother

remarried Mendel GLASSER (GLASER) and adopted his name.The Glaser family came to the U.S. in 1910. On the passen

ger record Mendel Glasser lists a brother Khuril Glasser and atown whose name I can't decipher, but looks something likeNeauran. My mother lists Grunazasty as the last place of foreignresidence on her naturalization application. I have been unable tolocate either Neauran or Granazasty on any of the maps I'vefound.

' My paternal grandmother Amalia BARASH (BARAS) Margolin, was bom in Iasi, where her father Joseph Barash was a lawyer. Joseph was first married to Bella Diamant and subsequentlyto (unknown) DaniaL a name which I understand to be wellknown in Iasi.

Joseph Barash had two sisters, EthieL, who married someonenamed Garfinkel and Bertha, who married Alexander Diamant;the name was subsequently changed to Diamond. Garfinkel'stwo daughters, Fanny and Coca, respectively, married JosephWender and (unknown) Goldwurrn.

The family of my grandfather Joseph Margolin came fromeither Odessa or Kishinev. In any event the Margolin family livedin Kishinev and my father, David Margolin, was bom there.From Kishinev the family moved to Odessa and then to Chemo-vitz which at that time was in Austria. From there they emigratedto the U.S. in 1911. I have some information about some of mygrandfather's siblings' which I can share with the group if there isany interest.

JerryMargolin40Allen Farm Lane

Concord, MA 01742

SILVERMAN

According to the June 7, 1890 census, my grandparents,Solomon and Eda SILVERMAN had 10 children: Simon , Kate,Sadie, Morris, Fanny, Ida, Abraham, and the other three childrenare not accounted for. Again, according to the census, one childwas dead when the census was taken and there is no mention of

the other two.

They came from Bucharest. Solomon came here in 1893,Eda and the seven children listed above came in the year 1894.The vessel and port of embarkation is unknown. Whether Solomon came with the two known children or if they remained inRomania is also unknown.

Solomon was a peddler by trade. He was bom in 1845. Edawas bom in Sept. of 1851.

I am willing to pay a reasonable fee for any records or information that might be obtained.

Jean Maarzacano

P.O. Box 1377

Oakhurst, CA 93644

KATZ-BENDERSKY

My family, as far as we know, all came from Beltsy, Bessarabia, and emigrated to Montreal approximately 1905. My GGGrandfather was Mendel KATZ who married Channah BEN-

DERSKY. My grandfather was Moise Katz, bom in Beltsy 31Mar 1904, died Montreal, Canada, 26 Aug 1984. My G-unclewho was also bom in Beltsy, was Max Katz and G-aunt, bom inBeltsy, was Sarah Zelda Katz (they were Moise's siblings.).

This is the only information that I have on the Katz family. Idid receive an e-mail from a gentleman who apparently is startinga job with the LIN in Moldova. He has agreed to attempt to dosome research for me. Ifanything pans out I will let you know.

Daniel E. Kates, M.D.dkates@ramp.com4238 N. 35th St.,Phoenix, AZ 85018

A few words about InternetWe have had a number ofinquiries about using the In

ternet for genealogicalresearch. The answer, without question, is ifyou have a computer, the make andpower makeslittle difference, you should get a modem and get on theInternet.

We can remember when this same question was askedas computers became so popular. Those genealogists whocan remember the pioneer days when they charted everything by hand or typewriter, used numbering systems,bought special diagrams to track their family trees, wellknow the speed and enhancements that computer sciencehas brought to genealogy.

Now take it one step firrtheT. More and more is beingmade available through the Internet. One Usergroup that isespecially popular is JewishGen, where Jewish genealogists throughout the world exchange information. Even ifyou don't have a query, you gain a lot of informationjustby reading the questions and answers submitted by the JewishGen audience.

More recently has come The Web, which combinesgraphics with text for a more contemporary look. ROM-SIG may soon have its own "page" on the Web, with information about articles and indexes available through ournews journal.

Maybe ifs time to take a deeper look into the Internet.It could be the best genealogy aid since the computer itself.

ROM-SIG NEWS, Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1995 25

AboutBirla

Submitted by Toby Sanchez

AUTHOR'SNOTE: I want to share withfellow readers the enclosed history ofBirlad takenfrom thePinkas Ha Kehillot. 1found this material m Hebrew m the Y1VO Institute LibraryinNew York andhad it translated byAlexKorn, 610-630 Roselawn Ave., Toronto, OnlM5N1K8, Canada (416-256-1985).

I had first lookedfor a translator at my synagogue, but thejob was declined as too timeconsuming.

Mr. Korn's translation is very readable, was completed in a short timeand added a greatdeal to my understanding ofthe origins and historyofJewish life tnRomania. His price is12 cents per word and these two articles are lengthy, butJewish history is so fascinatingand important that theprice is worth it

Sincerely,TobySanchez

BIRLAD (also called Barlad)

County capital ofTutova, on the Barlad River. It is also a train stationbetween Iasi and Galati, 51 km. from Tecuci, 52 km. from Vaslui and142 km. north of Galati. In the 15th century it was already known asa commercial center, thanks to its geographical location on the roadconnecting Galau" with Suceava and Iasi.

JEWISH POPULATION

YEAR NUMBER

% of GENERAL

POPULATION

1803 120

1820 204

1831 401

1859 2001 0.179

1899 5883 0.242

1910 5000

1930 3727 0.142

1941 3063

1942 3224

1947 3100

UP TO THE END OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR

The Beginning of the Jewish Settlement:Jews first settled in the town during the first half of the 17th

century. Weknowthis from inscriptions found on gravestones in theold Jewish cemetery located in the center of the city. In a document

dated from the year 1738 there is mention of a starosta (Polish: acommunity leader)who stood at the head of the Jewish guild, which isassumedto have been established as far back as the preceding century.The travelerBoscovici relates about the Jews who dwelt in the city inthe year 1762. A Romanian certificate from 1769 deals with Jewishmerchants of Barlad and also, at the same time, informs us that therewas a "Street ofthe Jewish Storekeepers."

Economic Life:

Barladserved as a wheatmarketingcenter for all the neighboringcounties. In the year 1887, out of the 954 merchants, 389 were Jews.The large flour mill serving the county was built by Jews.

At the end of the 19th centurythe Jewish population's economicsituation deteriorated due to the persecutions against them, and it wasthe middlemen and merchants who suffered in particular. TheRomanian merchants inBarlad opposed the discrimination against theirJewish colleagues, and in 1898 presented their objections to theMinistry of Commerce inBucharest opposing thedecision bythelocaloffice of commerce to remove the Jewish middlemen.

Persecution:

In theyear 1867the Christians broughta libel against theJewsinBarlad accusing them of killing a monk The rabble fell upon Jewishhomes. The government ordered an investigation into the matter andtheMinister of the Interiorannounced in parliamentthat the Jews wereat fault in this incident In 1868 another riot occurred because of thefeud betweena Greek and a Jew. In the year 1870 the French consulprotested against the persecution of the Jews in Barlad and demandedintervention by the responsible world powers, (see below).) In theyear 1886 a new wave of persecution occurred which brought aboutthebeginnings of Jewish emigration outof the chy.

In the fall of 1899 emigration from Barlad increased. Everytwoto three days about 10 to 15families left At the beginning of 1900 theflow of emigration had been established to such an extent that it wasfrom Barlad that the initiative to emigrate spread throughout thecountry. It became the movement know as "Emigration on Foot"

(Continued on the next page)

26 ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

ABOUTBIRLAD; moMnmpmxAs samehjllot

(Continuedfrom the previous page)

(ED. NOTE: lovingly called "The Fussgeyers.) In the springof matyeartwoorganized groups of "Emigrants on Foot" left the country, oneof them consisting of 72 souls and the second of 38.

In addition to the persecutions in the city itself, the county headforced the Jewish residents of the towns and villages to leave theagricultural centers; and the evacuees came to the county capital,where they also joined the movement for emigration, (see below.)

Thetotal number of Jews who left Barlad between the years 1899and 1902 came to 600. The emigres even published a newsletter forthemselves, Emigranpi, DapAjutor (Daughter ofMy People).

In 1907 an anti-Semitic club was established by teachers, priestsand political leaders. This club incited the students of the gymnasium(high school) to riot against the Jews. Two of the students who tookpart in the riots were expelled from the school and, in protest againsttheir expulsion, the others organized and equipped themselves withaxesand clubsand burst into the Jewish quarter destroying and looting.Eighty shops owned by Jewish merchants and craftsmen were damagedduring the rampage.

QrgfflfeatiQB of foe Jewish gojnjnmfoFrom an inscriptionfound on a gravestone in the Iasi cemetery we

learn that in 1831 a Rabbi Binyamin Bin§, who had served as vice-presidentofthe Jewish community at the beginning of the 19th centuryin Barlad, was killed and there buried.

A progressive leadershipwas organized in Barlad in the year 1870,but disbanded in 1885 because of tie rift between followers of the

more orthodox rabbi and the supporters of the modem rabbi, RabbiIsaac Taubes (see below). The meat tax was abolished and thecommunity institutions became impoverished.

In 1896 activities ofthe Kehillah (Jewish self-government) wererenewed and with them the meat tax was restored. In 1901, alongsidethe Kehillah an "Assistance Council" was in operation, because theKehillah had ceased to be able to supply all the needs of the community. The soup kitchen for the community's poor was supported bymonies fromtheJewish Colonization Association. In 1891 the hospitalwas revived afterithad been closed during the crisis in the community;it had been necessary to re-establish it because the city hospital hadstopped admitting Jewish patients. In the year 1899 a new specialbuilding was built for the Jewish hospital.

Education

A modempublic Jewish school was founded in Barlad in the year1873, with the initiative of the bureau of the Bnai Brit Tzion (TheCovenanters of Zion) and with the support of the community. From1875theschool was maintained by the BnaiBritbut, because of a lackof means, it was closed in that sameyear and was re-opened no lessthan seven years later. In 1883 it was closed again and then opened athird time in 1896, with the renewal of the community's activities. Inthe year 1874 the office of the Bnai Brit also opened a public schoolforyoungwomen which closed within a year. In 1882 evening classesfor adults were held.

In the year 1910 the boys' school had 236 students and the girls'school 235 students. In the cheders (traditional religious schools;

cheder-room) 200 boys were being educated. In the governmentalschools there were 30 male and 25 female students in that year.

Rabbis:

Among the rabbis that served in Barlad mention must be made ofRabbi Isaac Taubes (1834-1920), who was a descendant of Rashi(Rabbi Shlomo Itzhaki), grandson of Rabbi Aharon Moshe Taubesfrom Iasi, and the son ofRabbi Michael Tabues from Vaslui. In 1862he gained official recognition from Prince Cuze as rabbi of Barlad.Rabbi Taubes was the first rabbi in Romania who gave his sermons inthe Romanian language. He participated in the struggle for the grantingof rights to Jews, and in the battles against anti-Semitism and againstthe "Jewish oath". In 1868 he published a pamphlet in Romanianwhich was translated later into English and German by the AllianceIsraelite Universelle on the topic "The Jews of Romania and theBartiano Government".

In 1872 Taubes publisheda pamphlet which was a polemic againstthe famous anti-Semitic leader, Ceaur-Asian. Rabbi Taubes worked toestablish secular school in Barlad, Hu§i, Tecuci, Vaslui, Braila and inother places. He translated the poems of the Romanian poet VasileAlecsandri into Hebrew. Also he published articles in the Hebrewpress on the situation of the JewBin Romania (On his importance inthe field oiHalacha [Jewish religiouslaw] see below).

In Barlad there also served Rabbi Shimshon, the son of RabbiMoshe Thene, who was bom in 1857, and began his term in 1889.Amonghis worksaieMidotChochomim (Qualities of the Wise, Sighet5669 [1909/101]) and ZrvHoShemesh (Radiance of the Sun, Sighet,5670).

Zionist Activities:

In the year 1881 a branch of the movement YishuvEretz Yisrael(Settlement in the Land of Israel) was established in Barlad. In 1833(sic! perhaps 1883?) a group of 20 families was organized in order topurchase land in Israel and emigrate there. In the year 1896 theassociation of Bnei Tzion (Children of Zion) was established, and in1897 a branch of Chovevie Tzion (Lovers ofZion) in memory ofMaxNordau was founded in the city. For the support of this branch, a taxon meat bread and kerosene was imposed In the year 1898 awomen's association was established called Bettulat Bat Yehudah(Virgin Daughterof Judea). In 1910 a Zionist culture club named afterMax Nordau was established by the students of the gymnasium. At thehead of this club stood Michael Laundau, who served as representativein the Romanian parliament All the studentswho participated in theestablishment of the club were expelled from the gymnasium for oneyear. Between the years 1913 and 1919a monthly Zionist publicationcalledBar Kochba appeared in Barlad.

Barlad's Jews participated in public life, and their representativestook part in the city council. Among them was the local rabbi, Dr. I.Taubes, who served as a permanent representative. In the electionsthat took place in 1930 four Jewish members were elected to the citycouncil.

Jewish participation inRomanian political partieshad a bad effecton Jewish communal unity. In 1919 the Jewish self-government (theKehillah) renewed its activities and a new council was elected. In1920, Jews who were members of the People's Party of GeneralAverscu succeeded in obtaining appointments to a new council of theKehillah. The council was appointed by the county leader and by themayor. This caused a rift in the community which led to the diminishing of its

(Continued on next page)

ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995 27

AboutBIrlad: fhom thepinxas saxebuxot

(Continuedfrom the previouspage)income; and the hospital and soup kitchen next to the school wereclosed because of the resulting budget deficit

The Jewish community council ordered a general meeting in orderto come to a decision on raising the rate of the meat tax. During themeeting an argument broke out and several speakers blamed thecouncil on the interferenceofRomanian political parties in the internalaffairs of the Jewish comunity. The council was forced to disband andin its place was chosen a new council with representation from thesynagogue and the local Jewish organizations. The new council madepublic a statement of principles that put an end to the intereference ofRomanian political parties in the life of the Jewish community. In theyear 1921 the Kehillafiacquired the status of an official legal body.

In 1926the Jewish cemetery, which had been destroyed during theFirst World War by the Russian army, was renovated. In 1934 themeat tax was canceled and in its place direct taxes were instituted. In1930 the Jewish community's boys' school received the status of apublic school.

Just before the outbreak of fee Second World War there were

eight synagogues and prayer rooms, and three Jewish cemeteries, twoof which were ancient.

Persecution of the Jews:

In the period between the two world wars Barlad was a center ofpogroms. The Christian teachers in the government gymnasium,headedby the school principal Cezar Ursu, used to regularly incite thestudents against the Jews. Their pogroms increased when the studentsin the Romanian universities began to demand a "numerus Clausus"against the Jews. Whenever the Jewish youth had any kind of culturalevent they used to organize anti-Semitic demonstrtions.

The Jews convened a protest meeting and demanded the establishment of an official inquiry into the riots, which should include on itsboard two representatives from the Jewish community. They sentrepresentatives to the county head and demanded that he take actionto restrain the students by making an announcement expressing theauthorities' reservations concerning the violent actions against theJews. The chiefof police suggestedto the Jews that they close theirstores during the riots, and the authorities did not take any action.

In October 1922the riots reached new heights. The pretextwasthe raising of the blue and white flag side by side with the Romanianflags on the occasion of the celebrations in honor of the king'scoronation. The students broke into the Jewish quarter, smashedwindows and destroyed everything that came their way. The policereacted by arresting several Jewishmerchants. Amongthe instigatorsof the riot were some of the local leaders of the Peasants' Party.However their own party did not view their actions favourablyand itforced them to resign.

InDecember 1922 a groupof Jewishyouthwas about to organizea hobby display. The Christian students who arrived from theuniversity of Iasiopposed this andthe police forbade the setting up ofthe display. Thatsame day the studentsran wild and destroyed Jewishhomes while the police stood at a distance.

OneJewshothis pistol in defense and injured one of the attackers.Hewas arrested togetherwithhis wife and his mother,and the threeofthem were tortured in jail, so much so that the mother died from thetorture. The lawyers' society forbade its members to defend the Jew

and the administration ofthe Jewish community was forced to makeapublic statement decrying the action of selfdefense. Theheadof thecommunity resigned his post The incident became a matter ofdiscussion in parliamentin Bucharest and the Jewish representative,Dr. Adolf Stem, a famous leader of the Romanian Jewish community,proclaimed at the meeting the full right that that Jew had to his self-defense.

Personages:

In Barlad was bom the poet A Axelraad (1879-1965), who beganhis literaryactivities under the influence of "TheEmigration on Foot"(see below).

DURING THE HOLOCAUST

The sufferings ofthe local Jews increased during the days of theterror of the "Iron Guard". In November 1940, Jewish males weretaken for forced labor. After a short time the academics among themwere let go. This was the result of protests from the Romanianacademic community who threatened that they too would come towork together with their Jewish colleagues.

Four Jewish students were arrested aand convicted of promulgating Communist opinions. They were brought to Vaslui and weretortured there in order to extract their confessions. At the trial, whichtook place on Nov. 19,1940, in Galarj, they were acquitted.

With the outbreak of war between Romania and the Soviet Union

in June of 1941, all the Jews from the villages of the county weredeported into Barlad. These included Plopana, Murgeni, Avramestiand Radeni, and also some from Beresti and Falciu. In the spring of1943 the hospital, the old folk's home aand the bathhouse wereconfiscated by the "National Center for Romanization".

The economic results of the oppression against the Jews arereflected in these statistics from the year 1942: from a total of 325Jewish craftsmen and laborers, there were 125 without work; out of294 Jewish clerks only 136 were employed; among 428 Jewishmerchants and industrialists 254 were active and from 43 Jewish

academics, only 23 were employed. In this year only 24 percent ofJewish professionals were able to work in their professions.

Activities of the Community:

With the expulsion of the Jewish students from the governmentgymnasium, the community founded a gymnasium of its own whichhad, in 1940, 80 students; 93 in 1941 and 50 in 1942 and 1943. In theelementary school 180 children were enrolled in 1940 and 1941, 186children in 1942, and 161 in 1943.

Becauseof the diminishing of sources of income,the communitywas forced to increase its support for families lacking means. In 1940200 families were under its support; in 1941 it supported about 300families; in 1942 and in 1943 about 600 families.

The community gave aid also to the Jews who worked in theforced labor units in Stoisesti and in the county ofTutovaa, in Turcoaaiin the county of Brila, in Alexandreni in the county of Tighin inBessaarabi, in Suroia and in Siret of the county of Focsani. It sentthem clothes and medicine, and took care also of the children.Moreover, groups ofchildren who passed by on their way to the forcedlabor camps through the trainstationat Baarlad were suppliedbytheJewish community with money and food.

When the orphans returned from Transnistria, the Barladcommunityreceived 167 of them, established a hostel for some ofthemand took them under its wing until their immigration to Israel.

(Continued on next page)

28 ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

ABOUTBIRLAD: from themnxas haxehjllot

(Continuedfrom the previouspage)Withtheirretreat from the advancing Red Army, the A-l German

forces under the command of General Woehler came into Barlad. The

general suggested to exterminaate all the Jews of the place under thepretext that the Jews were trying to trade withhis soldiers. Only thedevelopments on the front which were to the disadvantage of theGermans, spoiled this plan. Four Jews of Barlad, who were suspectedof being Communists, were exiled to the camp at Vapniarca Theyreturned some time later.

After the war, life returned to normality, and the communitycontinued its regular activities.

The chief of police in the time of the Holocaust Ion Hagiu, whopersecuted the Jews duringhis tenure, was sentenced in 1949to threeyears in prison.

Bibliography (onlyfor the Hebrew entries)

The General Archives for the History ofthe Jewish People RM83; RM160.

Archives of YadVaShem: JM 1220; Oil /12-2; 011/7-53; Oil /6-5;011/18-1(326-39)

Archives ofM. Karp: 1,22; 111,420; VT,24.

Archives of V. Filderman: 18(83); 19(44); 21(8

Kloyzner, Israel: Chibbat Tzion in Romania, Jerusalem, 5718.

Maps of Romania AvailableWe have managed to find two excellent sources for general

maps ofRomania.A quick way to obtainan auto map is through your local

AAA, American AutomobileAssociation. Ask for an auto mapof Italy and the Balkan Peninsula. Most of the shtells are notshown on the map, but the major towns and roads are.

A much better map, m much greater detail, including acomplete index of the cities and towns that exist today, isavailable through many local bookstores fhaf carry theRAVENSTEIN brand of European road maps.

I purchased mine from a Little Professor Book store at acost of $11.95.

Besidesshowingmost of the towns and villages that we arelooking for, me map also contains street maps of the cities ofBucharest Constanta, Cluj-NapocaandTimisoara.

-GENE STARN, Editor

ROMANIAN GENEALOGICAL RESEARCHsubmitted by Paul Pascal

SELECTED JEWISH COMMUNITY OFFICES:(7can'tvouchfor theirresponsiveness to mails; inperson/found them

receptive.)

Bucharest:

Dir. Gen. Alex Sivan (speaks andreads Romanian, Hebrew,English)

Comunitate Evreilor Romania

Str. SfuntavinaNr. 9

Bucuresti, Romania

Iasi:

Maier Simca (speaks Romanian andYiddish; readsRomanianonly)

Comunitate Evreilor

Str. Elena Doamna 15

Iasi, Romania

Bacau

Comnitate Evreilor (speaks Romanian, some Yiddish, readsRomanian only

Str. Alexandru eel Bun 11

Bacau, Romania

Moinesti

Raphel Kohlenberg (speaks, reads Romanian, some French)Presedinte, Comunitate EvreilorStr. V. Alecsandri

Bl. A 2-2 Ap. 75478 Moinesti, Romania

RECOMMENDED RESFARCHF.RS IN ROMANIA

l.MoIdavia region —northeast (NOT the Republic ofMoldova)Marcusohn, Carol (write inRomanian or Yiddish with Romanian

alphabet; alternatively, be can be hired through the JewishFederation of Bucharest, where English is understood (secaddress above.)

Str. Erou Gh. Rusu 4

Scara D, Ap. 65500 Bacau, Romania

2. Transylvania region —westGyemant, Ladislau (Ph.D.) (write inEnglish orRomanian)Str. Tarnita 1

Bloc B5, Scara EL Ap 283400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania(Tel. 011-40-64-167256 - home)

PAUL PASCAL

184StratheamRd,Toronto, CanadaPhone: (416) 781-4970e-mail: 75332.2735@compuserve.com

NOWHERE can you get more information about Romania than in ROM-SIG NEWS. Resubscnbe TODAY!

ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995 29

From our ReadersYour comments and suggestions are always welcome. Write to: Editor, ROM-SIGNEWS, 11908 Tildenwood Dr., Rockville, MD 20852. Ifyou have informationhelpful to our writers, answer them directly. If ifs ofgeneral interest, write us.

SOME THOUGHTS AND HINTS FROM SOME NATIVES

Myfamily camefrom Bucharestand Focsani. TheRoyalFamily ofPrince Carol andMadameLupescuand others withtheirclergy were very goodfriends with Jewish people.

Mygrandfather, Jonas ben Yosef, was a kabbalah rabbi.Prince Carolgave him moneyand gold to go to Palestine beforethe Communists took over.

TheCommunists did not touch the cemeteries. Myparents,Abraham and Molly, came to N.Y, then they went to Boston, thensettled in Chelsea, MA.

A society was formed called "The First Romania AmericanSocietyofChelsea, Mass." Thecomplete address is on the listat the state capitol in Boston. Theyhave a good and legalcemetery. Location: Mass. Turnpike to Rte 1, then to Rte 14 inDanvers,Mass. On left side is a dirt road to the cemetery,aboutfour ofthem, theRomanian is the last one in line. Thecaretakerofthe cemetery is in thefarm house. Society addresscan be obtainedfrom that source.

To the best ofmy knowledge there are about 300-400RomanianJews buried there. Theyall camefrom Bucharest,Focsani, Moinesti. Prince Carol became Carol. He is living inSweden, about 86years old. He is still cryingfor the Jewishpeople.

Myparents had thehonor to be with the crownofKingMichael.

When theJewsfled, they took the Holy Torahs with them toPalestine and otherfriendlyplaces all in secret. King MichaelofBucharest gave the Jews money and gold and he offeredprayersfor their safety.

Best wishes and may God bless you for your deed to recordthe history ofJews ofRomania.

Jonas Abramovitz,19203 N. 29th Ave. #P482

Phoenix, AZ 85027-4900

IS THERE MAP SHOWING IASI GHETTO?

/ understand that in the 1880s Iasi had a ghetto area.Does anyone know ifthere is a map ofIasi on which this ghettois indicated and, ifsuch a map exists, could it be printed inROM-SIG NEWS?

Sandra H. Elstein

244 Main St,Southport, CT 06490

SORRY TO SEE YOU GO

Ijust read ofyour decision to step downas editor ofROM-SIG NEWS. You have done an outstandingjob ofbringingpeople togetherwith common interests and thenguiding them towardtheirmutualgoals in the discoveryofroots.

I can only imagine how much workis involved with thisandwellunderstandhow it can takeso muchofyour time.

Hopefully, someoneelsewillstep in and takeoverthefineworkyou have created.

Miriam Weiner,136 Sandpiper KeySecaucus,NJ 07094-2210

You have done a tremendousjob as editor ofROM-SIGNEWS. Thepublication has made great improvements underyour leadership and remarkable strides in gaining access toRomanian records.

I wish you the best ofluck, good health and continuedsuccess on your Romanian research always.

Gary Fitleberg24106 Kittridge StreetWest Hills, CA 91307

You have been doing a marvelousjob editing ROM-SIGNEWS. I do hope someone willbeprepared to take over.

David Roth

16 Oman Avenue

London NW2 6BG

United Kingdom

EDITOR'S NOTE: Wc gratefully acknowledge the manykind comments made by so many ofour members, either inmail to me, by phone, e-mail and in person at the Washington seminar. We, in turn, thank you for the privilege ofhaving been able to serve you these past few years.

With your continued help, our new editor will give us arefreshingly, new slant on how to improve our Romaniangenealogical resources.

Gene Stain

P.O. Box 520583

Longwood, FL 32752e-mail: topgenie@aol.com

Please note new ROM-SIG addresses

For edtorial material- articles, Information, photos, tetters tothe editor, family stones your researching experiences, etc.,write to;

ROM-SK3NEWSc/o Marlene zakai11908 Tildenwood Dr.

Rockville, MD20B52e-mail: Zakai@aol.com

For subscriptions, change of addresses, family finder information or anything pertaWng to the business aspect, writeto:

ROM-SIG NEWS

cfoSamBpem27 Hawfrorne St.,Greenwich. CT 06831e-mail: samelpern^aotcom

30 ROM-SIG NEWS, VoL 3, No. 4, Summer 1995

RegfonS Of ROMANIA - ivho belonged to ivhom ... anb tohenBESSARABIA - Region bordered by the Black Sea, Dniester,Danube and Prut rivers. Chief city: Kishinev.

to 1812 dominated by Ottoman Empire1812-1856 Russian Empire1856-1878 Romania

1878-1918 Russian Empire1918-1940 Romania

1940-1991 U.S.S.R.

1991 mostly in Moldova; also in Ukraine

BUKOVINA - Region in foothills of eastern Carpathian mountains. Chief city: Cemivtsi (German: Czernowitz; Romanian:Cemauti).

to 1769 ruled by Ottoman Turks1769-1775 occupied by Russia1775-1849 partofGalicia1849-1917 province ofAustio-Himgarian empire1917-1944 province of Romania1944-1991 northern area, part of USSR; southern

area, Romaniasince 1991 northeastern Romania and southwestern

Ukraine

DOBRUJA - Principal city: Constanta.to 1878 dominated by the Ottoman Empire

ROM-SIG NEWS is a cooperative venture by genealogists researching Jewish, ancestors in Romania, past and present, it cart onlysucceed if you SHARE your experiences with us and provide uswith material you think would bo holpftil to others.

Tell us what you have done, both your successes and your ftril-wes. so thai others may learn from your experiences.

Send us clear copies of your photographs, documents, narratives or any of your own intimacies that provide us with some picture of life as it was for our ancestors.

Also, please let us know what you like or dislike about ROM-SIGNEWS. We can'tplease everyone, but wecantry. Giveusyoursuggestionson how to make this journal better. ROM-SIG NEWSis not a sophisticated, rigid publication, but one that tries to cater tothe desires of its readers. So tell us what you want Help us. We'regood listeners.

There are a few guidelines we'd like you to follow:1. Write plainly^ or better yet, type or print your queries.

stories* etc.

2. Always include your name, address and phone number in case we must contact you.

3. If you don't want your name used, or your address orphone number, tell us.

since 1878 part of Romania, except Southern Dobruja was annexed by Bulgaria.

MARAMAROS

to 1917 a province of Austro-Hungarian Empire,from 1917 Northwest Romania, Slovakia and

Ukraine.

MOLDAVIA - not to be mistaken for the country of Moldova,former Moldavian SSR. Principal city: Iasi.

to 1859 under Turkish domnation ofOttoman

Empire.from 1859 merged with Wallachia to form Romania.

TRANSYLVANIA - region bounded by Carpathian and Transylvaman Alps. Chief city: Cluj-Napoca.

to 1765 dominated by Ottoman Empire1765-1867 under Austrian rule.

1867-1918 province ofAustro-Hungarian Empire.since 1918 part ofwestern Romania

WALLACHIA - region between Transylvanian Alps and theDanube, today in southern Romania. Chief city: Bucharest.

to 1859 principalityunder Turkish domination.since 1859 merged with Moldavia to form Romania.

developed from information supplied by Warren Blatt

4. If you want your material returned, please let usknow and include a self-addressed, stampedenvelope

We may add some other guidelines as we go, but that'sall fornow.

Remember, the address for ROM-SIG NEWS, editorial department, is now:

ROM-SIG NEWS,11908 TBdenwood Dr.,Rockvflfe, MD 20852

e-mafl: zaJcal@aol.comFor subscriptionsor any businessdealings, the addressis;

ROM-SIG NEWS,27 Hawthorne SL,GrecTrwicii, CT 0C831

e-mafl: samerpern@aol.com

Let's keep ROM-SIG NEWS growing by adding our input toshare with others.

ROMSIO ADVISORY BOARD

Sam Elpern, Paul Pascal,Gene Starn and Marlene Zah'a

£59