The Heritage Foundation for Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries (HFPJC) shortly will commence restoration of Valcau cemetery. In ruin and disrepair for decades, the grounds are overgrown with most gravestones missing and the thin wire fence is in a terrible condition. photo of current conditions. The grounds will be cleared, the tombstones erected, and both will be enclosed by a sturdy, concrete fence. Anyone with interest or information in this renovation, contact Toby Mendlowitz or hfpjc@thejnet.com. [May 2004] Heritage Foundation for Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries 148 Ross Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Phone: 718-841-7077. Fax: 718-228-8368
US Commission No. ROCE-0492
Salaj judet. 4707 2244, 246.2 miles NW of Bucharest. The cemetery is located at the end of the village of Valcau de Jos, code.4781, judet Salaj, Romania at 4707 2244, 246.2 miles NW of Bucharest and 23 km from Simleul Silvaniei. The alternate Hungarian name is Alsovalko. Present town population is 1,000-5,000 with no Jews.
- Mayor Buboiu Dumitru, Valcau de Jos, tel. 678 177.
- 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
- Interested: "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.
- Caretaker with key: none
The 1850 Jewish population by census was 24, in 1880 was 51, in 1900 was 102, in 1910 was 104 and from 1930 census was 96. In May 1944, the Jews were gathered in the ghetto of Cehei, then in Simleul Silvaniei and were deported to Auschwitz on May 31, June 6 and 8. The unlandmarked Orthodox cemetery was established in 19th century. Last known burial in 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 30 m. 1-20 stones are visible, some not in original location. Less than 25% 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 granite 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. Rarely, private Jewish or non-Jewish visitors stop at the never vandalized cemetery. Maintenance has been clearing vegetation. Current care is occasional clearing or cleaning by individuals. No structures. Vegetation is a moderate threat: a lot of grass disturbing 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 28 September 2000 using the following documentation:
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- 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.
- Carmilly-Weinberger, Moshe. History of the Jews of Transylvania (1623-1944), Bucuresti, 1994, in Romanian
- 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
- 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.
- Coriolan Suciu, Dictionar istoric al localitatilor din Transilvania (The Historical Dictionary of Localities in Transylvania), vol. I-II, Bucuresti, 1967
No interviews [January 2003]