The Jews of Odobești: a Synagogue in Wine Country and the Romanianisation Files
In Odobești, the wine town near Focșani, a synagogue from the 19th or 20th century survives. The local archive records how its…
ODOBESTI · JEWISH HERITAGE
Jewish Odobești
Odobești, a wine town at the foot of the Vrancea mountains near Focșani, was home to a small Jewish community about which almost nothing has been written. The town was in the Regat, under Romanian rule, and its Jews were not deported to the death camps, but the local archive records the loss of their citizenship, the seizure of their land and businesses and their forced labour under Antonescu. A synagogue from the 19th or 20th century, no longer in use, survives.
- 1 story
- Holocaust and Remembrance
- Jewish Communities
- Synagogues
HERITAGE COLLECTION
1 storyStories from Odobești
Practical information
- Synagogue
- Strada Libertății 21, according to the Federation · not in use; check its condition in advance
- Cemetery
- No authoritative information found
- Arrangements
- Jewish Community of Focșani, Strada Oituz 4, according to the Federation
- On the way
- Close to Focșani
- Nearby
- Focșani; Tecuci; Galați; Buzău
- Kosher food
- We found no kosher food in the town · bring supplies
The nearest Jewish community to Odobești
The Federation’s directory lists no Jewish community in Odobești. The nearest registered community is in Focșani, about 10 km away as the crow flies.
Jewish Community of Focșani
- President
- Harieta Rond
- Community office
- Str. Oituz nr. 4, Focșani
- Phone/fax
- 0237 623 959
- ce_focsani@yahoo.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
Synagogues in Odobești
Synagogue
str. Libertății 21 · Built in the 19th–20th 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
Jewish cemeteries in Odobești
Odobești I
str. Ștefan cel Mare 2
Odobești II
str. Ștefan cel Mare 10
Cimitirul evreiesc
Odobești
Jewish cemeteries nearby
- Focșani, about 12 km
- Panciu, about 16 km
- Tecuci, about 30 km
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 Odobești
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 Odobești
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.