Someș-Odorhei (Hungarian: Szamosudvarhely) is a commune composed of five villages: Bârsa (Dabjonújfalu), Domnin (Dabjon), Inău (Inó), Someș-Odorhei and Șoimuș (Szilágysolymos). 47°19′24″N 23°16′05″E
COMUNITATEA EVREILOR ZALAU
DAN HAS, Presedinte
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Blog: jewish-salaj.BlogSpot.ro
CEMETERY
Photo: See Blog at jewish-salaj.BlogSpot.ro for photo [Jan 2017]
US Commission No. ROCE-0489 -
The cemetery is located in Somes Odorhei, no. 75, code 4695, judet Salaj, 4719 2316, 241.2 miles NNW of Bucharest and 10 km from Jibou. Alternate name: Szamos Udvarhely (Hungarian), SOMES-ODORHEIU (Romanian). Present town population is 1,000-5,000 with no Jews.
- Mayor Berinde Grigore, tel. 604 953, Somes Odorhei.
- The Jewish Community of Oradea, Mihai Viteazu Street no. 4, 3700 Oradea, Romania, tel. 0040-59-134843 (132587)
- The Federation of the Jewish Communities of Romania, Sfintu Vineri street, no. 9-11, sect. 3, Bucharest, Romania
- "Dr. Moshe Carmilly" Institute for Hebrew and Jewish History, Universitatii Street no. 7-9, room 61, 3400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Director: Ladislau Gyemant, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Key holder and caretaker: none
The 1850 Jewish population by census was 20, in 1857 was 35, in 1880 was 19, in 1900 was 75, in 1910 was 70 and from 1930 census was 48. In May 1944, the Jews were gathered in the ghetto of Cehei, then in Simleul Silvaniei and on May 31, June 3 and 6 were deported to Auschwitz. The unlandmarked Orthodox cemetery was established in 19th century. Last known burial was 20th century.
The isolated rural/agricultural flat land has no sign or marker. Reached by a public road,
access is open to all. A fence with a non-locking gate surrounds the site. Approximate pre- and post-WWII size is 25 m. x 35 m. 1-20 stones are visible, some not in original location. 25%-50% of the stones are toppled or broken. Vegetation overgrowth in the cemetery is a seasonal problem preventing access. Water drainage is good all year. No special sections.
The oldest known gravestone dates from 19th century. The 19th and 20th century limestone and sandstone flat shaped and smoothed and inscribed common gravestones have Hebrew inscriptions. No known mass graves.
The national Jewish community owns the property used for Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are agricultural. Maintenance has been clearing vegetation Current care is occasional clearing or cleaning by individuals. No structures. Weather erosion and vegetation are moderate threats.(a lot of grass disturbing the graves.)
Cosmina Popa, Tatra Street no. 4, tel. 064/ 128764, Cluj Napoca, 3400 and Ioana Oprea, Bd. 21 Decembrie, 13-15, 064/190849, Cluj-Napoca, 3400 visited the site and completed the survey on September 29, 2000 using the following documentation:
- Recensamantul din 1850. Transilvania (1850 Jewish Population Census. Transylvania) coord.: Traian Rotariu, Cluj 1996.
- Recensamantul din 1857. Transilvania (1857 Jewish Population Census. Transylvania) coord.: Traian Rotariu, Cluj 1997.
- Recensamantul din 1880. Transilvania (1880 Transylvania Jewish Population Census.) coord.: Traian Rotariu, Cluj 1997.
- Recensamantul din 1900. (1900 Transylvania Jewish Population Census) coord.: Traian Rotariu, Cluj, 1999
- Recensamantul din 1910. Transilvania (1910 Transylvania Jewish Population Census.) coord.: Traian Rotariu, Cluj 1999.
- Recensamantul din 1930. ((1930 Jewish Population Census))
- Carmilly-Weinberger, Moshe. History of the Jews of Transylvania (1623-1944), Bucuresti, 1994, in Romanian, Budapest, 1995, in Hungarian
- Recensamantul general al populatiei din 29 decembrie 1930 (The General Census of the Population from December 29, 1930), vol. II, Bucuresti 1938
- Szilagy megye Salaj zsidosaganak emlekkonyve, ed. Giladi David, Tel Aviv, 1989.
- Recensamintul general al populatiei din Romania din 7 ianuarie 1992 (The General Census of the Population of Romania from January 7, 1992), vol. I, Bucuresti, 1994
- Coriolan Suciu, Dictionar istoric al localitatilor din Transilvania (The Historical Dictionary of Localities in Transylvania), vol. I-II, Bucuresti, 1967
Cosmina Popa and Ioana Oprea interviewed Grad Cornel, Inspector for Culture, Zalau. [January 2003]