The Jews of Giurgiu: Sephardim and Ashkenazim in a Danube Port
In Giurgiu on the Danube, Sephardim from the Balkans lived alongside Ashkenazim. The synagogue was expropriated in the war years, but the…
GIURGIU · JEWISH HERITAGE
Jewish Giurgiu
Giurgiu, Wallachia's port on the Danube, was home to a small Jewish community of Sephardim from the Balkans and Ashkenazim. It had a synagogue, a school and a Zionist society, but it dwindled: the 1930 census recorded 207 Jews in the town. In the war years the synagogue was expropriated by the National Centre for Romanianization, and most Jews left. Two cemeteries remain, listed by the Federation under the Bucharest community, with tombstones bearing Ladino epitaphs.
- 1 story
- Cemeteries
- History
- Jewish Communities
Practical information
- Cemeteries
- Strada Albinelor and Strada Mihai Viteazu 1, according to the Federation · about a hundred tombstones · no hours published
- Arrangements
- Jewish Community of Bucharest, Strada Sfânta Vineri 9–11, according to the Federation
- On the way
- Close to Bucharest · can be combined with a day trip from the capital
- Nearby
- Bucharest; Călărași; Pitești
- Kosher food
- We found no kosher food in the town · Bucharest has kosher restaurants
The nearest Jewish community to Giurgiu
The Federation’s directory lists no Jewish community in Giurgiu. The nearest registered community is in Bucharest, about 60 km away as the crow flies.
Jewish Community of Bucharest
- President
- Silvian Horn
- Community office
- Str. Sf. Vineri nr. 9–11, sector 3, București
- Phone/fax
- 021 313 17 82
- ceb.email@gmail.com
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
Jewish cemeteries in Giurgiu
Giurgiu I
str. Albinelor
Giurgiu II
str. Mihai Viteazu 1
Cimitirul Evreiesc
From the Federation’s cemetery list (2007). Arrange visits in advance with the community, which holds the keys.
Map of Jewish cemeteries in RomaniaHalachic times in Giurgiu
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 in Giurgiu
Supermarket chains in town
We could not verify branches of the large chains in town. Check the store locators:
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 catalogueWhat 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.