International Jewish Cemetery Project
International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies

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US Commission No. ROCE-0410 -

The cemetery is located in Petelea, no. 346, judet Mures, 4644 2443, 172.3 miles NNW of Bucharest and.5 km. from Reghin. Alternate name: PETELE (Romanian).Present town population is under 1,000 with no Jews.

  • Mayor Oprea Simion, Petelea, tel. 525349
  • The Jewish Community of Targu Mures, A. Filimon Street no. 23, tel. 161810, cod 4300, Tîrgu Mures, Romania
  • 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, Universităţii 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: Puscas Simion, no. 346, Petelea

The 1880 Jewish population by census was 12 Jewish inhabitants and from 1930 census was 12. In May 1944, the Jews were gathered in the ghetto of Reghin and on June 4, 1944, they 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 via private road,
access is open with permission. A fence with a non-locking gate surrounds the site. Approximate pre- and post-WWII size is 10 m x 15 m. 1-20 stones are visible, all in original location. More than 75% of the stones are toppled or broken. Location of stones removed from the cemetery is unknown. 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 marble common gravestones have Hebrew inscriptions. No known mass graves. The national Jewish community owns the property used for orchard. Adjacent properties are residential. Rarely, private Jewish or non-Jewish visitors stop. The never vandalized cemetery maintenance has been clearing vegetation Current care is occasional clearing or cleaning by unpaid individuals. No structures. Weather erosion is a moderate threat.

Raiciu Ioana, B-dul 21 Decembrie no. 13-15, ap.6, Cluj Napoca, tel: 190 849 and Popa Cosmina, Tatra Str., no. 4, ap.11, Cluj Napoca, tel: 128 764 visited the site and completed the survey on August 7, 2000 using the following documentation:

  • The General Census of the Population of Transylvania 1850, Ed. Staff, 1996
  • Ernest Wager, Historisch & Statistisches - Ortsnamenbuch fur Siebenburgen, Ed. Bohlau, 1977
  • Carmilly-Weinberger, Moshe. Istoria evreilor din Transilvania (1623-1944), Bucharest, 1994
  • Coriolan Suciu, Dictionar istoric al localităţilor din Transilvania, I-II, Bucharest, 1968.
  • Recensamintul general al populatiei din Transilvania ? 1930 decembrie 29, I-III, Bucharest, 1938

Raiciu Ioana & Popa Cosmina interviewed Oprea Simion, Petelea. [January 2003]