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BLOG, JEWISH TRAVEL
Romania - One day, seven Synagogues

JUNE 30, 2018

I love exploring Jewish sights around the world. When I happened to be in Romania for a 24 hour layover, I knew that I wanted to make the most of it and experience as many Jewish activities as possible. Unique Jewish history happened in Romania, and thank God, many of the synagogues and Jewish buildings still existed and have been carefully restored to visit today.
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After visiting seven synagogues, one Jewish concert, two Jewish museums and having uncountable encounters with lovely Jewish people, I can say that my 24 hour stay in Romania was one of the most impressive Jewish experiences I’ve had as a convert.

Today 3,500 Jews live in Romania's capital and there are six synagogues left in Bucharest, two of which are still active and used for religious services. Most of the 670 synagogues are either closed or demolished and massive numbers from the community have left immigrating to Israel.

The Jewish sights of Bucharest and Timisoara were even more impressive than I expected. All the stunning synagogues blew my mind. Jews in Romania opened closed doors and welcomed me warmly. They were so happy to receive me into their country and tell me its history. 
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Following are my personal recommendations of synagogues and Jewish activities in Bucharest. You can’t afford to miss these when you’re visiting Romania! Also listed is a variety of Jewish tours, useful information about prayer services and kosher food, etc… everything you need to know to have the BEST Jewish experience in Romania. Don't forget to tell me about your experience in the comments!

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The Choral Temple of Bucharest
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Photo reddit.com
The Choral Temple (or, in Romanian, Templul Coral) is one of the two active synagogues in Bucharest and the biggest synagogue of Romania. Its impressive colorful interior invites you to pray in the stunning atmosphere. As the last existing replica of the synagogue of Vienna, the Choral Temple impresses visitors with its architecture and unique interior artwork.
First built in 1857, the synagogue stood for some 84 years before it was destroyed in 1941 and then soon after restored in 1945 after World War II. The main hall with its fabulous, colorful interior was recently refurbished, and reopened in 2015. After an extensive renovation, the Choral Temple is considered to be one of the most beautiful synagogues in Europe today. The Choral Temple hosts daily religious services, being one of the few active synagogues in the city of Bucharest and in Romania.
When I visited the Choral Temple I was lucky to come at just the time when there was a Jewish classical concert taking place in the main hall. The head of the Jewish community of Bucharest invited me to stay and was so kind to share with me about the synagogue and his community. Thank you for this unforgettable experience! 
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The Choral Temple in Bucharest is open for visitors and offers daily prayer services, as well as Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning prayer services. Please announce your participation ahead of time via phone or email and bring an identification to the synagogue. ​

Choral Temple Bucharest
Strada Sfanta Vineri 9, Bucharest
​Phone: +40213122196
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours for visitors: 9:00am-2.30pm (except Saturdays)
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Daily Prayer ​Services: 
Shacharit: 8:00am
Mincha: 7:00pm followed by Maariv

Shabbat: Friday Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00pm; Saturday Shacharit 9.30am 
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The Temple of the Holy Union of Bucharest
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The Temple of the Holy Union (or, in Romanian Templul Unirea Sfântă ) was built in 1836. Since it lost its original function as a prayer house in 1968, the synagogue has been used as a Jewish museum. The Romanian Jewish History Museum welcomes visitors offering them the opportunity to learn about the history of the Jewish communities in Romania, about its origins, growth, contribution and influence to the Romanian culture, economy and political life. 

Displays include an enormous collection of books; a serious archive of the history of Romanian Jewry; a collection of paintings of Romanian Jews, memorabilia from Jewish theaters including the State Jewish Theater; a medium-sized display devoted to Zionism; a small but pointed display of anti-Semitic posters and items dealing with the Holocaust era from a historical point of view; in short, a museum devoted to looking seriously at the history Jews in Romania.

Opening Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Friday: 10:00am - 1:00pm

Templul Unirea Sfântă
Strada Mămulari 3, Bucharest
Phone: +40213110870
Email: [email protected]
www.museum.jewishfed.ro

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The Great Synagogue Museum and Holocaust Memorial
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The Polish Synagogue, otherwise known as the Great Synagogue of Bucharest, was built in 1847 and is one of the few synagogues still existing in Romania. Its artistic look is the result of a major renovation that took place in the first four decades of the 20th century. In 1936, colourful and detailed paintings were added to the ceiling.
Today the Great Synagogue of Bucharest is being used as an exibition center and hosts the Holocaust Memorial just outside the front of the building. The permanent exhibition presents the most dramatic moments in story and raises awareness of discriminatory measures and pogroms from World War II from all over Romania. Written testimonies, newspaper clips and photos are displayed on the interior walls of the synagogue and show the history of Romanian Jewish life. Additionally, the stunning interior artwork and the lovely lady who happily explains to visitors about the Romanian Jewish history were also worth the visit!

The Great Synagogue of Bucharest
Strada Vasile Adamache 11, Bucharest

Opening hours: The Jewish exhibition is open from Monday to Thursday: 9:00am – 3:00pm; Friday and Sunday: 9:00am – 1:00pm. The Great Synagogue is closed on Saturdays.

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Chabad in the Yeshua Tova Synagogue Bucharest
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Photo ​nicolcarm.blogspot.com
The Yeshua Tova Synagogue was completely renovated in 2007 to resemble the original design from 1827. It is the oldest synagogue still existing in Bucharest. Today the Yeshua Tova Synagogue in Bucharest is run by Chabad as a destination for Jews all over the world who join the continuous minyans for prayer services, kosher food and Shabbat meals for visitors (see information below).

Chabad Bucharest
Yeshua Tova Synagogue 

Strada Tache Ionescu 9, București
Phone +40733184299 ; +40213106066
www.chabadromania.com

Opening Hours
The synagogue is open daily between 8:00am and 8:00pm.

Daily Prayer Service
Shacharit: Mo-Fr 8:15am; So 9:00am
Mincha followed by Maariv: winter 4:45pm; summer 7:30pm

Shabbat
Friday Kabbalat Shabbat: winter 6:00pm; summer 7:45pm
Oneg Shabat: after the Tefilah
Shacharit: 10:00am
Oneg Shabbat: after the Tefilah
Mincha: in the time
Maariv: 6:00pm
(Note: There is a minyan (10 Jews) at every prayer)

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Jewish Tour in Bucharest 
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Discover all the Jewish sights of Bucharest in a 4 hour guided walking tour. You can hire a certified tour guide and discover the history of Jews in Bucharest through strolling streets where some of the oldest Romanian Jewish architecture is located.
On the Jewish Bucharest Tour you will visit the old town, the old Jewish neighborhood, the Great Synagogue, the Holy Union Temple, the Choral Temple, the Jewish State Theater, monuments built by Jewish architects and the Jewish Cemetery.
The extent of the Jewish Bucharest Tour goes beyond simply visiting or observing landmarks, the tour is a profound discussion about the history of the community, from the 16th century to World War II and the large migration waves (Aliyah) of Romanian Jews under the communist regime.

The Jewish Bucharest Tour is available every day except Saturday.
Tours can be booked in English, French or Spanish.

Uncover Romania
www.uncover-romania-tours.com

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Holocaust Memorial Bucharest
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Photo: Jaime Silva/Flikr
The Holocaust memorial monument of Bucharest was made by artist Peter Jacobi and was unveiled in October 2009. It is dedicated to the collective memory of the hundreds of thousands of Romanian Jews fell victim to the systematic persecution of Jews by the Romanian authorities between 1940 and 1944.
​The Holocaust monument is a five-sculpture ensembled around the central Memorial that consists of a large Star of David sculpture. Victims first names are inscribed and a memorial column containing a single Hebrew letter on each side together spelled the word “Zachor” (remember). Lines on the ground completed the piece symbolizing the railroad tracks that transported Jews to concentration camps.
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Holocast Memorial Bucharest
​Strada Anghel Saligny 1, Bucharest
(always open for visitors)

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Kosher Food in Bucharest
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Photo bakingmywaythroughgermany.com
‎Chabad House Restaurant
Food Type:  Meat and Parve
Address:  Bulevardul Dacia 19, Bucharest
Phone:  ‎+40 742 148 821

‎Moise's
Food Type:  Meat and Parve
Address:  La Armeneasca 8, Bucharest
Phone:  ‎+972-58-711-0111

Yeshua Tova Synagogue
Food Type:  Meat, Dairy and Parve
Address:  Str. Tache Ionescu 9, Bucharest
Phone:  ‎+40 021 310 60 66
Hot meals at our synagogue in the morning (after the morning prayer - around 9:00am) and in the evening (after the evening prayer - after the stars come out).

Chabad Catering and ready-to-eat food
You can order or take straight from the synagogue delicious kosher bread, wine and prepared meals (parve or meat).
Menu and orders: +40744313822

Kosher products
There is almost no product in Romania that has a kosher stamp. Following you can download the List of products that have been declared as kosher in Romania:
Kosher List Romania

Shabbat Meals at Chabad
Join Chabad as they celebrate Shabbat with a delicious four-course dinner, in a warm Shabbat atmosphere. From the Kiddush and Matzah balls, to the meaningful discussion & inspiring song, this is a Shabbat experience you won’t want to miss. ​The cost is Friday night 28$ per person. Shabbat lunch 22$. Seuda shlishit 6$.
To register click here.
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Jewish sights and activities in Timisoara coming soon...

By Ilana Schiffner


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About Me

Welcome to "Jewishbychoice"! 
I am Ilana! 
​German, 28 years old, converted to Orthodox Judaism, currently living in Israel. Fascinated by Torah, Spirituality and Jewish values.

​Today I share my experiences on my blog and assist people in their conversion process. I teach weekly Judaism classes and offer professional conversion coaching.

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