| The appearance of the Jewish press in the Focsani Community was a phenomenon reflecting the high cultural and intellectual level of the Jewish population. The newspapers were read with interest and exerted a significant influence on public opinion. The columns addressed various domains of interest: tradesmen, public events, even matchmaking… The newspaper provided answers to questions such as education, school management, teaching programs, and others. The Community members knew how to read and write, and the number of young intellectuals was steadily increasing.
Below three examples of newspapers published in Focsani between 1882 and 1924.
"STINDARDUL" (The Banner), located at 8, Strada Mare a Unirii, was a weekly. Its declared objective was: “Promoting the immigration of Romanian Jews to the Holy Land”. In the editorial published on October 17, 1882 it is stated: "The concept that was appropriated by all Romanian Jews is the concept of immigration to Eretz Israel- Palestine, and this concept has known an upsurge both in Romania and abroad”. The concept of immigration to Eretz-Israel is not a religious concept, but rather a social-economical one; it is the result of the ideology of bold and honest intellectuals. The Jews, prepared to dedicate themselves to agricultural work in Palestine, need a newspaper promoting the concept of farming, protecting the interests of the immigrants in their new country.... that is why we are asking now our Jewish brothers –send us letters and articles to promote the concept of immigration to Eretz-Israel and amalgamation with the fate of our nation”.
The second newspaper, "TORTA" (The Torch) first appeared on December 17, 1923. Its declared goal was fighting against the negative features of the leaders of the Jewish Community in Focsani. The newspaper also had a “Readers’ Column” where various complaints were published. The complaints were related to the high taxes payable to the Community, the ritual slaughter tax, and complaints against the Chairman of the Community who was also responsible for the schools. In the opinion of the newspaper, the graduates of the schools were culturally not well prepared while their general knowledge was very low. Only two Hebrew teachers were good professionals, yet their contribution to the education of the students and their language proficiency was actually unsatisfactory. The newspaper claimed that the Chairman of the Community was to blame, who used the premises of the school for balls and meetings rather than for the promotion of the Jewish culture in the town. A quotation from the newspaper: “The Chairman of the Community is far from the Jewish life, he despises the values of Jewish culture”.
That is why the newspaper TORTA called for a protest march be held at the Coral Synagogue on December 17, 1923.
Another newspaper, "UNIREA" (Unification), first published on February 24, 1924 was a newspaper of controversies and discussions directed against the newspaper "TORTA".
"UNIREA" was supporting the Chairman of the Community, who wanted to be elected for another period of office. In an editorial he presents all his achievements: two schools, a fully equipped hospital, a well-kept cemetery and medical and material support for the poor. Between the two newspapers "TORTA" and "UNIREA" the battle for the elections in the Focsani Comunity is now over.
NOTHING HAS CHANGED BETWEEN THEN AND NOW.
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