The Jews in Târgu Neamț during the Holocaust

The presence of Jews in Târgu Neamț is attested since the second half of the 17th century, a period from which several tombstones were discovered. The existing information records that in 1737 the city already had a synagogue, and in 1774 12 Jewish families lived in Târgu Neamț. Their number increased in the 19th century, from 220 families in 1821 to 3,671 in 1899, which accounted for 42% of the total population. Similar to other towns, in the interwar period, there was a demographic decline. In 1930, the number of Jews in the town was 2,507. The occupations of the Jews were in the fields of trade, crafts, and the cattle trade.

The persecutions against the Jews have a long history in Târgu Neamț. They appeared from the first decades after their settlement in the city, following a pattern found in other localities. In 1710, Jews in the cities were accused of ritual murder after the body of a Christian child was discovered. The consequences were tragic for the community: five of its members were killed and 22 were arrested. The investigation of the accusations then revealed that the Jews were innocent, and the detainees were released. Similar accusations also appeared in the 19th century.

In 1821, the Jews of Târgu Neamț fell victim to the violence perpetrated by the Etherists (Greek revolutionaries). While fleeing to Moscow, they killed at least 100 Jews in the city, and the synagogue was burned.

At the end of the interwar years, the Jewish community in Târgu Neamț was again the victim of collective violence. This time, the aggressors were members of the Legionary Movement. After September 1940 and the establishment of the national-legionary state, repressive measures against Jews increased in intensity. Many Jews in the city were picked up by legionnaires, being taken to the town hall or police headquarters where they were beaten. The legionaries sought to force the Jews to cede their property and businesses. In addition to the beatings, the legionary police raided Jewish shops and homes.

Moreover, the prefect of the county, the mayor of Tg. Neamț and his deputy, led by legionaries, organized actions to intimidate and rob the “most prosperous Jews in the city”. Victims were prominent people in the community (leaders, doctors, pharmacists, merchants). After being seized and tortured for three days, the president of the Jewish community in Târgu Neamț was “forced to sign sales contracts for buildings belonging to the community”. After his release, he was forced to sign a statement stating that he had not been arrested but had left town to solve personal problems.

Prior to Romania’s entry into the war, Jews from neighbouring rural areas were evacuated to Târgu Neamț. The practice of taking hostages was also adopted in this city. At the beginning of July 1941, 377 Jews were taken hostage and interned in camps. Hostages were also taken in August 1941, when 78 Jews were imprisoned in the Froim House, the community nursing home, and the Leipziger and Boslover synagogues.

Also in July 1941, Jewish men between the ages of 20 and 60 were sent to forced labour detachments. In February 1944, 75 orphaned children from Transnistria, brought by Dr. David Morghenştein, found shelter in the city of Târgu Neamț. They were cared for by the local Jewish community. During the communist period, most Jews emigrated. Thus, in 2011, four more Jews lived in Târgu Neamț.

Marius Cazan, Târgu Neamț, accessible online at http://www.inshr-ew.ro/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Targu-Neamt-revazut-ND.pdf 

Lucian-Zeev Herşcovici, Târgu Neamț, accessible online at https://yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/Targu_Neamt 

Matatias Carp, The Black Book. The Sufferings of the Jews from Romania 1940-1944. The Legionary Movement and the Rebellion, vol. I, București, The Socec Publishing House, pp.. 94-96.