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This project seeks to collect all of the Jewish families from the town of Răducăneni in Romania.
JewishGen KehilaLinks page for Răducăneni
Răducăneni was founded in the years 1838 – 1839 during the rule of Prince Mikhael Sturza who sought to promote trade in agricultural areas. To do so, he encouraged the settlement of traders from across the border, among them Jews probably from Galicia, so they could establish and develop commercial and business centers. Răducăneni was built on the estate of the landowner, Răducanu Roset, hence its name. During that period, Jews were obliged to pay a tax, "the tax on the Jewish nation." In 1846, the concession to collect the money was granted to two Jews, Saul Aronovici and Aharon Mendelovici. According to the sums that were collected that year, at that time, there were tens of tax-paying Jews in the township.
Before the Outbreak of World War II
On the eve of the outbreak of World War II, there were 5 synagogues in Răducăneni, a mikveh, a cemetery and a school.
The Holocaust period
In the summer of 1940, even before Antonescu rose to power (in Autumn, 1940), the persecution of the Jews by the so – called national, anti-democratic party "The Iron Guard" began. First, Jewish stores were closed down by the authorities, then the local military governor ordered all the Jews to leave the township. Only 8 families were given permission to remain. They comprised the baker, the butcher, a dealer in iron tools, the owner of the tavern and the owner of a newspaper stand as they were needed to ensure a regular supply of necessities to the troops there. All the rest of the Jews were forced to leave the place and were allowed to take with them only a few possessions. Some travelled by horse and cart while others journeyed on foot. They were led first to Vaslui then to Bacău, all the while being beaten and hurried along by blows and shots in the air by the gendarmes.
In September, 1940, General Antonescu came to power and joined forces with the "The Iron Guard", whose members were called "Greenshirts "or "Legionnaires".
After a while, the Jews were allowed to return to Răducăneni but when they came back, they found that their homes and businesses had been looted. As if this were not enough, the legionnaires stationed in Huşi used to come frequently to the township to harass and beat the Jews. Some of the Jews were even forced to walk to Huşi (a distance of 40 - 50 kilometers) for interrogation. The situation of the Jews deteriorated to such an extent that they despaired and decided to leave the township and little by little they went, some to Huşi and the rest to Iaşi. When the war broke out in 1941, not a single Jew remained in Răducăneni. The synagogue was destroyed and the school premises were confiscated by the authorities.
After the war, only a few Jews of the original population returned to Răducăneni.
In 1947, there were 170 Jews in Răducăneni. By 1995, there were none.