On the Road to Chişinău

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Christian Herrmann under Bessarabia, Jewish Cemeteries

Yesterday, our group moved on through Bessarabia. In Bălţi we visited the magnificent Jewish cemetery and then went further south to the Moldovan capital of Chişinău. En route were the Jewish agricultural colony of Mărculeşti and Orhei with its imposing cemetery.

Bălţi Jewish cemetery

Mărculeşti Jewish cemetery

Soviet monument near the town of Floreşti

Orhei Jewish cemetery

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Some Summer Black and Whites

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Christian Herrmann under Bessarabia, Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues

After working a lot on my colour photos I finally found time to return to the analogue black and whites. Here is a selection of images I took in August during the trip to Ukraine and Moldova. Represented are Jewish cemeteries in Chişinău (Kishinev), Orhei and Vadul-Raşcov (Vadul Rashkov) in Bessarabia/Moldova, cemeteries in Rîbniţa (Rybnitsa) and Raşcov (Rashkov) in the break away “state” of Transnistria, as well as the former synagogue of Sniatyn in Galicia, Ukraine.

Chişinău Jewish cemetery

Orhei Jewish cemetery

Rîbniţa Jewish cemetery

Orhei Jewish cemetery

Raşcov Jewish cemetery

Vadul-Raşcov Jewish cemetery

Sniatyn synagogue

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To Vadul Raşcov and Orhei

Posted on August 21, 2016 by Christian Herrmann under Bessarabia, Jewish Cemeteries

Another intense day. Sylvia and I have been to Vadul Raşcov (Vadul Rashkov) and Orhei in Bessarabia with its amazing Jewish cemeteries. Nothing compares to the Jewish cemetery of Vadul Raşcov at the banks of river Dniester. Here you get in touch with eternity.

Vadul Raşcov – Jewish cemetery

Vadul Raşcov – banks of river Dniester next to the Jewish cemetery

Vadul Raşcov – Jewish cemetery

Vadul Raşcov – Christian cemetery

Orhei – Jewish cemetery

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Bessarabia in Black and White (Vol. 3)

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Christian Herrmann under Bessarabia, Jewish Cemeteries

Here is the next selection of analog black and white photos from the trip to Bessarabia/Moldova in spring 2016. I’m glad to have time to work on the images, without interruptions by further journeys. This set contains pictures of Jewish heritage sites in Alexandreni, Bălţi (Beltsy), Lipcani, Orhei, Otaci (Ataki), Rybnitsa and Vadul-Raşcov (Vadul Rashkov). As many Moldovan towns and cities have been fully destroyed in World War II, the cemeteries are often the last voices of the Jewish history.

Lipcani Jewish cemetery

Alexandreni Jewish cemetery

Bălţi (Beltsy) Jewish cemetery

Orhei Jewish cemetery

Otaci (Ataki) Jewish cemetery

Rybnitsa Jewish cemetery

Vadul-Raşcov (Vadul Rashkov) Jewish cemetery

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Bessarabia in Black and White (Vol. 2)

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Christian Herrmann under Bessarabia, Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues

I continued to work on the analog black and white images of the trip to Bessarabia/Moldova in March/April. Here is the result, including photos of Jewish heritage sites in Orhei, Otaci (Ataki), Prodănești (Prodaneshty), Raşcov (Rashkov), Rezina, Soroca and Zguriţa (Zguritsa). More is coming.

Rezina Jewish cemetery

Raşcov (Rashkov) synagogue

Orhei Jewish cemetery

Otaci (Ataki) Jewish cemetery

Prodănești (Prodaneshty) Jewish cemetery

Soroca Jewish cemetery

Zguriţa (Zguritsa) synagogue

Zguriţa (Zguritsa) Jewish cemetery

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Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty reports on Jewish cemeteries in Moldova

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Christian Herrmann under Bessarabia, Jewish Cemeteries, Media

The Moldovan edition of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty broadcasted a documentary about Jewish cemeteries in the country. Represented are the cemeteries in Chisinau, Orhei and Vadul-Rashcov. They are outstanding witnesses of Jewish heritage in Moldova. Hopefully this will contribute to raise awareness of public, politics and administrations towards these cemeteries and their worthiness of protection. I am grateful to have been interviewed by editor Eugenia Pogor and for the chance to express my view of the significance of these places for all of us.

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On the road to Bălţi

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Christian Herrmann under Bessarabia, Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues

On our way to Bălţi (Beltsy) were Orhei and Teleneşti. The Jewish cemetery of Orhei is one of the oldest in Bessarabia. Rarely I have seen such an impressive cemetery. A unique place!