Brașov is a city in Romania. It lies in a valley which is surrounded by hills and mountains. The city has a long history – the first documents that mention it go back to the 13th century, but archeological findings have shown that this place has been actually inhabited since Neolithic times and that people lived here for centuries before it was first documented. As is the case with many cities and towns in Eastern Europe, Brașov has also had a strong Jewish community, which has unfortunately diminished over the years. Apparently, Jews have played a part in the town’s social life since the 6th century and were mostly merchants, but an official Jewish community was not established until the 19th century, in 1826. The Brașov Jews played a significant role in the development of the city, but their presence started to suffer at the middle of the 20th century and again later, after the communist party took over the reins of the country, which lasted until December 1989.
During the 20th century, many of Brașov’s Jews fled to Israel, and those who remained tried their best to keep their community going. Today, the number of Jews who live in the city is quite small. There is still a functioning synagogue, where religious services take place as well as other activities that involve the community.
Right now, the Jewish community is not highly visible or known in the city’s social life, but there is a strong possibility that the community will see a revival in the coming years.
One of the least known places in Brașov is the cemetery that belongs to the Jewish community. Placed somewhat discreetly near a road, as an extension of another large cemetery, it tells the story of a diverse community and of the people who have been part of it throughout the years.
