Botoșani, in northern Moldavia, was in the 19th century the second-largest Jewish community in Moldavia after Iași. In 1899 Jews were about half the town’s population and more than three quarters of its merchants. The Hebrew monthly Ha-Or was published here in 1882, and not far away, at Ștefănești, stood a Hasidic court of the House of Ruzhin. In the Second World War the town’s Jews endured forced labour and the deportation of 148 of their number to Transnistria. Today about thirty Jews remain, and the Great Synagogue of 1834, with its Holy Land murals, is still open.
The “Hoykhe Shul” of 1834, the last working synagogue in Botoșani: Holy Land murals copied from an 1875 panorama, Birya instead of Jerusalem, a restoration, and a new fight against the rain.
The “Hoykhe Shul” of 1834, the last working synagogue in Botoșani: Holy Land murals copied from an 1875 panorama, Birya instead of…
Moldavia’s second-largest community: tombstones from 1540, Jews half the town in 1899, the Ruzhin court at Ștefănești, the Hebrew monthly Ha-Or, forced…
Details from the community directory of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania (FCER), checked on 5 November 2026. Contact the community before visiting to arrange access to the synagogue or cemetery and to ask about a minyan and kosher food. FCER community directory
str. Marchian 1 · Built in 1834
str. Vornic Boldur 18 · Built in the 18th–19th centuries
From the list of synagogues of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania (FCER), checked on 5 November 2026. Synagogues marked “In use” are listed as functioning. The others still stand but may be closed or used as a museum or hall. Arrange visits with the community in advance. FCER list
No address on the official list
str. M. Eminescu 194
From the Federation’s cemetery list (2007). Arrange visits in advance with the community, which holds the keys.
Map of Jewish cemeteries in RomaniaAstronomical calculation for the town-centre coordinates, sea-level horizon, Romanian time: dawn 16.1°, tallit & tefillin 11.5°, nightfall 7.083°, candle lighting 18 minutes before sunset, Shabbat ends 8.5°. For orientation only; consult a rabbi on questions of halacha.
According to the chains’ own websites. Branch addresses and hours are in each chain’s store locator.
Hundreds of products from Romanian supermarkets with a recognised hechsher. In the catalogue you can filter by the chain you shop at.
Open the kosher catalogueGeneral guidance for travellers. For any kashrut question, consult a rabbi.
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