In this article I wish to make a summary presentation of the history of the Jewish Community, its organizational structure and its main tasks under the difficult conditions during World War Two.
The Jewish Community’s activity has to be viewed in the framework of the wicked circumstances, the government authorities isolating us from the rest of the population and imposing upon us inhuman existence conditions.
The activity of the Focsani Jewish Community has three distinct features:
1. Execution of the dispositions of the superior government authorities
2. Execution of the dispositions of the superior local authorities
3. Execution of the dispositions of the Romanian Jews’ Headquarters

THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY – PUTNA DISTRICT
Mr. S. Al. BACHER – President,
Mr. Dr. HORATIU COPOLOVICI – Secretary General
Mr. Dr. CAROL COHN – Member of the Council
Mr. Dr. EMIL TULCEANU – Senior Medical Consultant

IN THE TIME 1942-43  THE FOCSANI COMMUNITY WAS HEADED BY:
Mssrs. HEINRICH ISRAEL,
HERMAN WEISMAN and the Dentist MERY RABNER
PINCHAS ZILBERMAN – Secretary
MAURICIU MARCUS – Accountant
MARCEL LEIBOVICI – Treasurer
ROZA VAINER – Typist
Focsani had a Jewish populace of 4,309 (Census of 05/20/1942).

1)       ORGANIZATION OF THE FORCED LABOR FOR THE ARMY OR OTHER PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS
All Jews aged from 18 to 50 were obligated to execute forced labor, without any consideration.
Hundreds of Jews executed forced labor in groups (14 to 18 hours a day), under extremely difficult conditions, especially in the winter; many fell ill and died.

2)       SOCIAL ACTIVITY FOR THE NEEDY
Upon the Community’s initiative on December 15, 1942 a canteen for the needy Focsani Jews was set up; food and hot meals were given out, free of charge. The canteen was set up by Mr. Heinrich Israel and functioned until 09/08/1942. The Community handed out clothes for all needy Focsani Jews.
Subsequently, the management was taken over by Mssrs. David Waserman and M. Revici. The canteen served meals to about 460 needy people on a daily basis.

3) ADDITIONALLY, A HOME FOR THE JEWS OF THE PUTNA DISTRICT WAS SET UP.

The home was supported by the Mr. Herman Weisman and the doctors Terkatin, Justin and Tulceanu. During the course of its activity the home has given social assistance,  handing out food and medicine for the needy.

4)       SCHOOLS AND CULTURE   THE JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL IN FOCSANI

It was established in 1940/41 under the management of the headmaster, Prof. Popovici Bernard, the Board of Sponsors being headed by Mr. Janconescu,
Attorney-In-Law. Thanks to the activity of these people and their intellectual and organizational capabilities a cultural center was established, which was recognized by the authorities.
The high school encountered many hardships and the conditions of accommodation were difficult.
The first school year ended with laudable results.
In the school year 1941/42 Mr. Iacov Gabor became headmaster of the high school,  the Board of Sponsors was presided by Mr. Al. Bacher and Mr. H. Israel acted as Vice-President.
In the school year 1942/43, the Board of Sponsors was presided by Mr.
M. Rabner, a dental surgeon.
The Jewish High School makes progress and is appointed as an examination center for five towns: Buzau, Ramnic, Putna, Tecuci and Tutova.
In the school year 1942/43 the high school was forced to leave the premises of the Community continuing its teaching activity in a leased building.

5)       IN THE JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL a literary association was established, headed by Prof. Ida Knoll and then by Prof. Ozias Lazarovici. Their activity was very prolific.

6)       THE PRIMARY BOYS’ SCHOOL, THE PRIMARY GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND THE KINDERGARTEN
These establishments were under the direct supervision of Mr. Dr. M. Justin, Head of the Dept. of Schools and Culture. The educational activity was based on a modern program and was controlled by the Dept. of Education in the Ministry of Schools, on a permanent basis.
From time to time, in the big hall of the Boys’ School cultural and artistic functions took place, which were attended by a great number of Jews.
The school year 1941/42 of the primary schools ended in the building located at 10, Stefan-cel-Mare-Street.
In the school year 1942/43 the school opened at 70, Grigore Bălănescu-Street and in the synagogues.
During the fight for survival and preservation of the Jewish heritage the schools continued to function in the synagogues.
In the school year 1943/44 the school functioned along with the kindergarten.

7)  MEDICAL CARE  THE POLYCLINIC OF THE FOCSANI COMMUNITY
The following were the surgery staff:
Director – Dr. Emil Tulceanu
Doctors– Dr. E. Tulceanu, Dr. M. Justin, Dr. S. Lupu,
Dr. M. Solomon, Dr. Ety Terkatin.
Pharmacist– A. Rudic, M. Glasman.
Interns– L. Corman, L. Pantzer, G. Mintzer, Ana Scharf
Midwife– S. Weisman.

8)       SPIRITUAL LIFE – SYNAGOGUES

 FOUR SYNAGOGUES WERE FUNCTIONING:
"Ahai Vereai" – President Artur Lazarovic, assistants Mssrs. Jean  Rosner,
I. Schechter and Leon Rosner.
The synagogue functioned at 70,  GR. Balanescu-St.
Tailors’ Synagogue –            President– David Segal
New Synagogue –                 President – Samy Rosenberg
“Holy Union” Synagogue –  President – Froim Bacalu 
On the holidays the synagogues were full. Weddings, BAR-MITZVA, BRIT-MILA were held in  the synagogues.
Also, ritual slaughter (poultry and beef) was carried out.
At Pesach, Matzah was prepared for the entire Jewish population.

9) ADOPTION OF THE TRANSNISTRIA ORPHANS

In April 1944, the Focsani Jewish Community adopted 200 survivor children from Transnistria. They were taken over by Jewish families who hosted them until leaving for Israel.

I wish to express my gratitude to my friend Jacques Gheber who helped me with the translation into Romanian.
Zvi Ben Dov