FOCSANI · JEWISH HERITAGE

Jewish Focșani

Focșani, the seat of Vrancea county, was until 1862 a double town, split by the Milcov stream between Moldavia and Wallachia. Jews lived here from the 17th century, and in 1899 they numbered 5,954, a quarter of the population. Solomon Schechter and “Cilibi Moise” were born here, and in the winter of 1881–1882 the town hosted the Yishuv Eretz Israel conference, from which the founders of Rosh Pinna and Zikhron Ya’akov set out. After the war most Jews emigrated to Israel. Today a small community remains, with one synagogue on Oituz Street and two cemeteries.

  • 2 stories
  • History
  • Jewish Communities
  • Rabbis and Notable Figures
Focșani
Ruxellu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 RO
HERITAGE COLLECTION

Stories from Focșani

2 stories
PLAN YOUR VISIT

Practical information

Jewish Community of Focșani
Strada Oituz 4 · tel. +40 237 623 959, per the Federation’s website · synagogue visits by prior arrangement
Synagogue
Strada Oituz 4 · in use per the Federation’s list of synagogues; ask in advance about prayer times
Cemeteries
Old cemetery at Strada Nicolae Bălcescu 18, per the JewishGen survey; new cemetery on the edge of town towards Petrești · access by arrangement with the community
From Bucharest
by car or train, north towards Moldavia · check current timetables
Kosher food
We found no verified source for an active kosher restaurant in Focșani · ask the community or plan ahead
JEWISH COMMUNITY

The Jewish community in Focșani

Jewish Community of Focșani

President
Harieta Rond
Community office
Str. Oituz nr. 4, Focșani
Phone/fax
0237 623 959

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

SYNAGOGUES

Synagogues in Focșani

  • Synagogue In use

    str. Oituz 4 · Built in 1889

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

JEWISH CEMETERIES

Jewish cemeteries in Focșani

Jewish cemeteries nearby

  • Odobești, about 12 km
  • Panciu, about 24 km
  • Tecuci, about 25 km

From the Federation’s cemetery list (2007). Arrange visits in advance with the community, which holds the keys.

Map of Jewish cemeteries in Romania
HALACHIC TIMES

Halachic times in Focșani

Astronomical 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.

KOSHER PRODUCTS

Kosher products in Focșani

Supermarket chains in town

According to the chains’ own websites. Branch addresses and hours are in each chain’s store locator.

Packaged products: our kosher catalogue

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 catalogue

What you can buy fresh in any supermarket

  • Fresh, whole fruit and vegetables — no kashrut issue, but leafy greens, cabbage, broccoli and strawberries must be checked for insects.
  • Fresh, whole fish — a fish where you can see fins and scales, such as carp, trout, whole salmon or sea bream. Ask the shop not to clean or cut it with its own knives, or clean it at home with kosher utensils. Fillets without skin, smoked or seasoned fish — only with a hechsher.
  • Eggs — permitted; check each egg for blood spots before use.
  • Staples — water, sugar, salt, rice and oil — preferably from the catalogue or with a kosher symbol on the pack.
  • Meat, poultry, dairy, cheese and bread — only under recognised supervision. You can order kosher meals from Moise House or ask the local Jewish community.

General guidance for travellers. For any kashrut question, consult a rabbi.

CONTINUE THE JOURNEY

Continue to nearby cities

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