[Page 381]

1.	First Zionist Committee in Bessarabia, Kishinev-1920	32 (A)
2.	First all-Romanian committee of Zeirei Zion(unified), Jassy 1920	32 (B)
3.	First District Zionist committee, Britchany, Sukkot, 1920	32 (B)
4.	Central Women's committee for Ukrainian refugees, Kishinev, 1922	48 (A)
5.	Transport of matzos to Ukraine from the Dniester port of Bendery Spring 1921	48 (A)
6.	Members of the central Ukrainian committee in Kishinev with Matzos transport, 1921	48 (A)
7.	Joint leadership and central Ukrainian committee, Kishinev 1921-23	48 (B)
8.	Second all-Romanian conference of Zeirei Zion (unified) Chernovitz 1921	80 (A)
9.	Members of Editorial Board of “Unser Tzeit”, Kishinev 1924	80 (A)
10.	M. Usishkin with the state committee and workers of Keren Kayemet Kishinev, 1924	80 (B)
11.	Workers of the state agency of Keren Kayemet, Kishinev 1929	80 (B)
12.	Keren Kayemet committee, Beltz 1927/28	80 (B)
13.	Chief Rabbi I.L. Tsirelson with his published Kol Koreh for Keren Kayemet	80 (B)
14.	Dr. Yekhezkel Mutchnik, representative of the Jewish Agency in Bessarabia	80 (B)
15.	Nachum M. Roitman, second commissioner of Keren Kayemet	80 (B)
16.	Advocate Yosef I. Panis, chairman of the last committee of Keren Kayemet	80 (B)
17.	Author Natan Bistritsky (Agmon) and Leah Vidrovitch with the Zionist women's committee, Kishinev 1931	96 (B)
18.	Author Natan Bistritsky with the Zionist women's committee Kishinev 1934	96 (B)
19.	Third conference of Zionist women Kishinev 1935	96 (B)
20.	Workers of the state committee of Keren Hayesod, Kishinev 1924	96 (C)
21.	Good bye party for Dr. Yosef Sapir, chairman of the state agency Of Keren Hayesod, Kishinev 1925	96 (C)
22.	Central committee of Keren Hayesod and workers of the state agency At the visit of Nachum Sokolov, Kishinev 1925	112 (A)
23.	Zeev Zhabotinsky among the honor guard of Maccabi, Kishinev 1926	112 (A)
24.	Dr. Chaim Weitzman with his entourage and the honor guard, Kishinev 1927	112 (B)
25.	Dr. Chaim Weitzman with the presidents and workers of the state agency of Keren Hayesod, Kishinev 1927	112 (B)
26.	Dr. Chaim Weitzman at a press conference, Kishinev 1927	112 (B)
27.	Leib Yaphe with workers of the state agency of Keren Hayesod, Kishinev 1927	112 (C)
28.	Colonel Josiah Wedgewood with Keren Hayesod workers, Kishinev 1929	112 (C)
29.	Dr. Shmaryahu Levin visiting Beltz 1930	112 (C)
30.	Keren Hayesod committee in Soroca with a visiting group from Kishinev, Nisan 1921	112 (D)
31.	Keren Hayesod committee in Britcheva with visiting group, 1921	112 (D)
32.	Keren Hayesod committee in Vertujheni with visiting group, 1924	128 (A)
33.	Keren Hayesod committee in Markulesht with visiting group, 1924	128 (A)

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34.	Bendery Keren Hayesod committee with visiting Dr. M. Schwartzman of the central agency -1921	128 (B)
35.	Romanovka Keren Hayesod committee with visiting group	128 (B)
36.	Keren Hayesod committee in Akkerman with visiting group From Kishinev 1924	128 (C)
37.	Tarutino Keren Hayesod committee with visiting group from Kishinev 1924	128 (C)
38.	Kilya Keren Hayesod committee with visiting group from Kishinev- 1924	128 (C)
39.	Khotin Keren Hayesod committee with visiting group from Kishinev – 1924-25
40.	Britchany Keren Hayesod committee with visiting group from Kishinev, 1924	128 (D)
41.	Yedinitz Keren Hayesod committee with visiting group From Kishinev 1923/24	144 (A)
42.	Ungany Keren Hayesod committee with visiting group From Kishinev 1925	144 (A)
43.	Liova Keren Hayesod committee with visiting group from Kishinev 1923	144 (A)
44.	Working committee of ZHR, Kishinev 1930	144 (B)
45.	Goodbye party of ZHR branch in honor of the Aiya of Akiva Baron, Kishinev 1930	144 (B)
46.	Zeev Zhabotinsky among the members of the central committee Of ZHR, Kishinev 1935	144 (B)
47.	Hapoel bike riders on their European tour, Kishinev 1935	144 (B)
48.	Rabbi I. L. Tsirelson chairing the government rabbinic council for interior affairs, St. Petersburg 1910	160 (A)
49.	Rabbi I. L. Maimon visiting Kishinev in 1935, 1936 and 1938	160 (B)
50.	Yosef Shprintzak visiting Kishinev, July 1935	160 (B)
51.	Yosef Shprintzak visiting Bendery, July 1935	160 (B)
52.	Unification committee of Poalei Zion and Zeirei Zion Bucharest 1936	176 (A)
53.	Hachshara group from Ataki and Mogilev-Podolsk Dombrovan 1918	176 (B)
54.	First Hachshara group in Falasht, 1919	176 (B)
55.	First Hachshara group in Kaprosht, 1920	176 (B)
56.	First Hachshara group from Akkerman arriving in Eretz Israel, 1921	176 (B)
57.	First Hachshara group in Orgeyev, 1920-21	176 (B)
58.	Hachshara group in a carpentry workshop, Kishinev, 1922	192 (A)
59.	First Hachshara farm, Kishinev, 1922	192 (A)
60.	Hachshara group in furniture caning workshop, Soroca, 1923	192 (A)
61-63.	Members of the central committee of Hechalutz in Kishinev, Early 1920s	192 (B)
64.	Members of Hechalutz at the Aliya of Yosef Barpal, late 1925	192 (B)
65.	Active members of Hechalutz in Bukovina, Chernovitz, 1925-27	192 (B)
66.	Members of the central committee of Hechalutz, Kishinev, 1927	192 (B)
67.	Visit of Yosef Baratz in Hachshara farm in Kishinev, 1923	208 (A)
68.	Aliya group #14, Kishinev, 1923	208 (A)
69.	Members of the committee of Brit Hanoar, Kishinev 1925	208 (B)
70.	“Palestinian section” of Maccabi, Kishinev 1925	208 (B)
71.	“Palestinian section” committee with physical education instructors, Kishinev, 1932	208 (B)
72.	First group of B'nei Israel from Orgeyev in Eretz Israel, June 1926	208 (B)
73.	In Hachshara farm in Yelitchan, 1927	224 (A)
74.	Last “Hatchya” committee, preparing to unite with Gordonia In Yelitchan, Lag Baomer 1927	224 (A)
75.	“Masada” Hachshara farm, housing, 1929	224 (A)
76.	Dr. Chaim Weitzman in Pokurar Hachshara farm, 1927	224 (B)

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77.	Members of the Hachshara farm in Pokurar, 1929	240 (A)
78.	Members od the Hachshara farm in Pokurar, fall 1929	240 (A)
79.	Dish in Hachshara farm in Pokurar	240 (B)
80.	Milking of cows in Pokurar	240 (B)
81.	Members of the Hachshara farm in Pokurar, early 1930s	240 (B)
82.	Hechalutz teachers' college in Romania, Kishinev 1929	240 (C)
83	Hahachana group, Orgeyev, 1930	240 (C)
84.	A combined Hachshara group of Gordonia and Beitar – Zaruzhan, spring 1930	240 (C)
85.	Fourth World Conference of Hechalutz, Berlin 2-5.10.1930	240 (D)
86.	Gordonia leadership in Romania with P. Lubianiker (Lavon) and M. Oved, Kishinev 1930/31	256 (A)
87.	Top leaders of Gordonia with emissaries from Eretz Israel, D. Perlmutter & M. Rolel, Kishinev, 1935	256 (A)
88.	P. Lubianiker with committee members of Zeirei Zion, Beltz 1930/31	256 (A)
89.	Members of Masada Hachshara on the day of Balfour's Declaration 2.11.1934	256 (A)
90.	Members of the central committee of Hechalutz in Romania, Kishinev, March 1930	256 (B)
91.	Members of the central committee of Hechalutz elected during the seventh conference in Kishinev, January 1934	256 (B)
92.	Main leadership of Hashomer Hatzair in Romania, 1933	256 (B)
93.	Central committee of the union of pioneers of Poalei Zion Chernovitz, 1934	256 (B)
94.	Assembly of members of Poalei Zion, Haoved & Dror, Orgeyev, 1926	256 (B)
95.	Council of the union of pioneers of Poalei Zion in Romania, Chernovitz, 1933	256 (C)
96.	Hachshara group of the union of pioneers of Poalei Zion, 1934	256 (C)
97.	First Hachshara group of Torah Veavoda (Hechalutz, Zeirei Mizrachi) In Romania, Kamina 1930-31	256 (D)
98.	Second Hachshara group of Zeirei Mizrachi in Romania, 1932	256 (D)
99.	Good bye party of Zeirei Mizrachi for the pioneers making Aliyah, Chernovitz, 1932	256 (D)
100.	Bnai Akiva branch, Soroca, 1934	256 (E)
101.	Hachshara group of Zeirei Mizrachi, Zhutchka, 1934	256 (E)
102.	Second meeting of Torah Veavoda in Bessarabia, Beltz 1935	256 (E)
103.	First conference of Boslya, Kishinev, 1935	256 (F)
104.	Visit of Yitzhak Greenboim with the Aliyah B unit of “People of the Underground”, Bucharest, June 1935	256 (F)
105.	Opening of the tenth state conference of Hashomer Hatzair, Kishinev 1935	256 (F)
106.	Hachshara farm of the Zionist youths in Romania, Floriaska, 1934	256 (G)
107.	Hachshara group on the Floriaska farm 1935	256 (G)
108.	Students from the orphanage for boys in Kishinev on Hachshara, 1936	256 (G)
109.	Hachshara farm of Dror Habonim in Transylvania, Hatzg, 1936	256 (H)
110.	Hachshara farm of Dror Habonim in Transylvania, Hatzg, 1938	256 (H)
111.	Hachshara farm of Dror Habonim in Transylvania. Hatzg, 1939	256 (H)
112.	Leadership of the faction of the 8th Hashomer Hatzair, Kishinev 1937	272 (A)
113.	Representatives of the union of pioneers of Poalei Zion at the 8th Hechalutz conference, Kishinev 1937	272 (A)
114.	Group of members from the main leadership of the union of pioneers of Poalei Zion in Romania	272 (A)

[Page 384]

115.	Twelfth Day of Managers of Gordonia, Masada 1938	272 (B)
116.	Meeting of section B, C, and D of Gordonia, Masada 1938	272 (B)
117.	Active leaders of Gordonia with emissary Meir Zait, 1939	272 (B)
118.	Members of the central council of Gordonia as a group makes Aliyah, Beltz, 1939	272 (C)
119.	Emissaries from Eretz Israel with leaders of the pioneering youth movements, Bucharest 1939	272 (C)
120.	A group of Gordonia leaders, Bucharest, 1940	272 (C)
121.	Main council (last one in Bessarabia) of Gordonia, Kishinev Passover 1940	272 (D)
122.	Central leadership of Hashomer Hatzair in Romania, Bucharest, 16.6.1940	272 (D)
123.	Bershad cooperative-Geula, Kishinev 1921	288 (A)
124.	Youth Aliyah from Romania, first group, Bucharest November 1938	288 (B)
125.	Youth Aliyah from Romania, first group, Constanza, 1938	288 (B)
126.	Youth Aliyah group from Romania on board ship	304 (A)
127.	Youth Aliyah group from Romania as it arrives at Ben Shemen	304 (A)
128.	Illegal immigrant ship Colorado from Romania imprisoned at the Port of Haifa July 1939	304 (B)
129.	Illegal immigrants embarking from the ship	304 (B)

130.	Rabbi I.L. Tsirelson and Rabbi Dr. I. Nemirover, representatives in parliament among Government ministers	504 (A)
131-3.	Signers of the proclamation of the formation of the Jewish Party in Romania	504 (A)
134-42.	Representatives of the Jewish party to the Romanian parliament, June 1931 & July 1932	504 (B)
143-5.	Jewish representatives from various parties handling the Jewish problem	504 (B)
146.	Members of the central committee of Tarbut, 1924	520 (A)
147.	Members of the central committee of Tarbut at the Aliyah of Alterman and Tulchinsky, 1925	520 (A)
148.	Senior class and teachers of the Teachers seminary in Jassy, 1921	520 (B)
149.	Upper class and teaching staff of the Teachers seminary in Jassy 1922	520 (B)
150.	Institute for the preparation of female teachers and educators, Kishinev, 1933-1935	520 (C)
151.	First graduating class of the institute, Kishinev 1924	520 (D)
152.	The painting and sculpture laboratory at the institute	536 (A)
153.	Early morning work in the garden of the institute	536 (A)
154.	The carpentry and bookbinding workshops at the institute	536 (A)
155.	Second graduating class of the institute, Kishinev 1925	536 (B)
156.	First Hebrew kindergarten in Securany, 1920/21	552 (A)
157.	Model kindergarten, No. 2, at the institute, 1923/24	552 (A)
158.	Kindergarten at Tarbut School, Romanovka, 1924/25	552 (A)
159.	Kindergarten at Tarbut School, Roni, 1924/25	552 (B)
160.	First Hebrew kindergarten, Brichany, 1925/26	552 (B)

[Page 385]

161.	Tarbut Kindergarten, Tatarbunar, 1928/29	552 (B)
162.	Tarbut Kindergarten, Vertujheni, 1928/29	552 (B)
163.	Hebrew Kindergarten in Beltz, 1932/33	552 (C)
164.	Tarbut Kindergarten, Zaguritza, 1932/33	552 (C)
165.	Yavne Kindergarten, Kishinev, 1932/33	552 (D)
166.	Bringing harvest to Tarbut Kindergarten, led by Sh. Gornshteyn Kilya, 1932/33	552 (D)
167.	Masked ball for KKL in Tarbut school, Ungany	552 (D)
168.	Kindergarten and school at Tarbut, Akkerman, late 1920s	568 (A)
169.	New Talmud Torah in Brichany, 1927	566 (A)
170.	Tarbut School, Khotin, 1927/28	568 (A)
171.	Grade 4, Tarbut School in Orgeyev, late 1920s	568 (B)
172.	Festive assembly for laying cornerstone for Tarbut building, Rishkany, 1928	568 (B)
173.	Tarbut school, Roni, Sivan 1928	568 (B)
174.	Visit of students of Roni Tarbut school with students of Kilya Tarbut School, 1928	568 (C)
175.	Visit of educator M. Avigal (Educational center in Eretz Israel) at Roni Tarbut school, 1929	568 (C)
176.	Teachers of Kilya Tarbut school visiting Tarbut teachers In Artsiz 1931	568 (C)
177.	Visit of students from Kilya Tarbut school in Artsiz Tarbut school, 1931	568 (C)
178.	Teaching staff of Tarbut school in Romanovka, 1927	568 (D)
179.	Teaching staff of new Yedinitz Talmud Torah, late 1920s	568 (D)
180.	Grades 4 and 5 of Romanovka Tarbut school, at end of school year 1931/32	568 (D)
181.	Kindergarten and Grade one, Kilya Tarbut school, 1931/32	568 (D)
182.	Grades 3 and 4, Yavneh school, Kishinev, 1932/33	568 (E)
183.	Teaching staff of Britcheva Tarbut school, 1930s	568 (E)
184.	Lag Baomer exhibition, Britcheva Tarbut school,	568 (E)
185.	Graduating class of Hebrew school founded by E. Dibrov, Yedinitz, 1933	568 (E)
186.	Festive opening of Tarbut high school in Soroca, 1919	568 (F)
187.	First graduating class of Hebrew high school founded by Zvi Schwartzman, Bendery, 1920	568 (G)
188.	First graduating class of Hebrew high school for boys in Beltz, 1922	568 (G)
189.	Staff of Hebrew high schools in Beltz, 1922	568 (H)
190.	Fifth graduating class of Hebrew high schools in Beltz, 1926	568 (H)
191.	Band of Hebrew high school in Beltz	568 (H)
192.	Students of secondary four of Tarbut high school, named for Yehuda Shteinberg. Liova, 1923	584 (A)
193.	First graduating class of Tarbut high school in Soroca, 1926	584 (B)
194.	Fourth graduating class of Tarbut high school in Soroca	584 (B)
195.	Students of secondary 1-3 of Tarbut high school in Akkerman, 1923	584 (C)
196.	First graduating class of Tarbut high school in Akkerman, 1927	584 (C)

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197.	Hebrew high school in Tarutino. Secondary 1 and 2, 1926/27	584 (D)
198.	First graduating class of Magen David high school, Kishinev, 1928	584 (D)
199.	Students of Magen David Hebrew high school, Kishinev, 1927/28	584 (E)
200.	First graduating class of Hebrew high school in Markulesht, 1928	584 (F)
201.	Third graduating class of Hebrew high school in Markulesht, 1930	584 (F)
202.	Twentieth year reunion committee of Hebrew high school in Bendery, 1912-1922	584 (G)
203.	Committee of Tarbut branch in Securany planning construction of a New school building, 1934	584 (G)
204.	Students of secondary six of Tarbut high school in Zaguritza with Staff members 1938	584 (G)
205.	Summer seminar of Tarbut for its teachers, Dorna-Vatra, 1930	584 (H)
206.	Visit of teachers in nearby settlement of Hashomer Hatzair, Bukhna 1930	584 (H)
207.	Conference of Tarbut teachers, Kishinev, 1932	600 (A)
208.	List of schools in Bessarabia under Tarbut, Kishinev 1931/32	600 (B)
209.	Summer seminar of Tarbut for its teachers, Piatra-Nemetz, 1936	600 (C)
210.	Group of teachers from the settlement in Piatra on the banks of the river	600 (C)
211.	Summer seminar of Tarbut for its teachers, KImpulung, 1937	600 (C)
212.	Teachers of Tarbut school in Securany, Nisan (April) 1940	600 (D)
213.	On the Aliyah of poet Eliahu Maytus, Kishinev, 1935	600 (D)
214.	Council of the all-Romanian branch of Brit Ivrit Olamit, Bucharest, May 1938	600 (D)

[Page 387]

[Page 388]

[Page 389]

Various Censuses

The estimate of the Jewish population in Bessarabia, during the first years of the establishment of Romanian rule, was a constant topic of disputes. The disputes were between the representatives of the Jews and the leading anti-Semites in Romania. The former gave official statistics, while the latter gave made-up, exaggerated numbers based on natural large numbers.

Dr. Filderman, in his book (in Romanian) “The Truth about the Jewish problem in Romania” (Bucharest, 1925), brings examples from various “statisticians” about the size of the Jewish population in Romania. These are pure fantasy and are about three to four times the official numbers.^[1]

It will suffice to cite here one example from one of the “most conservative” and “careful” ones- Vasilis. This is what he wrote in 1919:

Bessarabia According to Vasilis- 381, 000 people. Official numbers are 267, 000. Bukovina Vasilis- 155, 364 people. Official numbers- 89,000 Transylvania Vasilis- 312,239. Official numbers- 181, 340 Rigat Vasilis- 742, 321. Official numbers- 230,000. In total, according to Vasilis- 1,590,924. According to official numbers- 767,340.

The intention of the publisher of false numbers (and not only his) was quite clear- to increase the incitement against the invasion of the Jews-i.e., their control of the economy.

[Page 390]

David Vinitsky

Romania controlled Bessarabia for over 22 years (January 1918 to 28 June 1940). We have official statistics about the number of Jews in three different times. Of these, the first two were administrative estimates while the last one was an official census.

1. In 1919, immediately after the new provinces were annexed by Romania, the number of Jews in Bessarabia was estimated to be 267, 000 people- 138, 000 in rural areas and 129, 000 in cities (Filderman, ibid)
2. At the beginning of 1924, when the law “for denial of and obtaining Romanian citizenship” was proposed, the number of Jews was estimated to be 238, 000. This law was presented to parliament in February of that year (it was later known as the Law od MIrzasku, the Minister of Justice of that time)- (Filderman, ibid)
3. At the end of December 1930, according to the official general census held then in Romania, the number of Jews, according to religious affiliation, was 206,958 people. In cities^[2]: 99,392 48.03%). In rural areas, which included the 34 agricultural settlements and the villages^[3]- 107,566 people (51.97%).

[Page 391]

District	Total population	No. of cities	In the cities	%	# Towns	In the towns	%	In the villages	%	Total	Compared to 1930
Orgeyev	19,566	1	6408	32.8	2	5700	29.1	7458	38.1	26699	-7133
Ismail	6433	5	6248	97.1	-	-	185	2.9	11753	-876 (Together with Cahul)
Akkerman	11400	2	4357	38.2	4	4396	38.6	2647	23.2	12322	-932
Beltz	31916	1	14259	44.7	7	11278	35.3	6379	20.0	27304	+4612
Bendery	16954	2	8686	51.2	5	5735	33.8	2533	15.0	16625	+329
Khotin	36132	1	5786	16.0	5	23771	65.8	6575	18.2	47898	-11756
Soroca	29510	1	5452	18.5	9	17185	58.2	6873	23.3	31017	-1507
Cahul	4444	2	3129	70.4	1	509	11.5	806	18.1	(Together with Ismail)
Kishinev	50603	2	45067	89.1	1	1523	3.0	4013	7.9	54910	-4307
Total	206958	17	99392	48.03	34	70097	33.87	37469	18.1	228528	-21570

[Page 392]

According to everything mentioned above, the following picture emerges. It shows the movement of the Jewish population in the years 1919-1930 in all districts of greater Romania:

Bessarabia

In 1919, 267000, in 1924, 23800, in 1930, 206958

Bucovina

In 1919, 89000, in 1924, 128056, in 1930, 93101

Transylvania

In 1919, 181340, in 1924, 200000, in 1930, 192833

Rigat

In 1919, 23000, in 1924, 23000, in 1930, 264038

Total in 1919, 767340, in 1924, 796056, in 1930, 756930

On the basis of this information, it is possible to form the following conclusions:

1. There was very little growth in the Jewish population of Bessarabia for 22 years. From the Tsarist census of 1897 (228528 people) until the census at the beginning of the Romanian regime (in 1919, 26700 people). It was only 38472 people.^[4]

2. Continuous decrease of the Jewish population during the first 11 years of Romanian regime, from 1919 until the end of 1930; in 1924 compared to 1919- 29000 less people and in 1930 compared to 1924- 31042 people. In total the number was 60402. All this in spite of the fact that among the Ukrainian refugees there were many natives of Bessarabia who had legally returned to their homeland. Also, in spite of the natural increase that was consistently decreasing in that period of time, but was still higher than the death rate.

On one hand, the two pogroms of 1903 and 1905 which happened in Kishinev and surroundings caused a large immigration to other countries. On the other hand, WWI (1914-1918), in addition to victims of the battles, also brought about a heightened movement of the local population to the other side of the Dniester in 1918-1920. After the annexation of the province by Romania, immigration to overseas lands increased.

The continuous decrease of the Jewish population from 1919 on, showed immigration in two different directions, after Bessarabia was taken from Russia to Romania. Immigration to other countries- mainly Aliyah to Eretz Israel- and inner immigration within Romania. This was true until 1924 when immigration to Bucovina was in motion since it was a well developed economic and industrial center. The movement to Rigat cities in the first time period is not reflected in these numbers. They seem balanced. There were two aspects to the latter- businessmen and free craftsmen blended into the lives of the annexed provinces.

The movement of the Jewish population of Bessarabia to Rigat cities increased yearly. As long as the economic situation in Bessarabia worsened, there were better opportunities in Rigat. It was true of clerical positions, craftsmanship and industry. Industry was almost non-existent in Bessarabia. Another reason for movement was the fact that many post-secondary institutions of learning were outside of Bessarabia and drew students to them.

By the way, the decrease in population of Bucovina and Bessarabia during 1924 to 1930

[Page 394]

can be partially explained also in the fact that some people left their new homes and moved back to their original homelands, Austria and Hungary.

Some people doubted the truth of the results of the last census in 1930. However, we have proof that these numbers are close to actual facts. I mean the results of the cadastre of the Jewish community in Kishinev. It was done by the temporary committee of the community, in early 1929. This was in preparation for elections to the first democratic community. The cadastre brought forward the following:^[5]

Children under 5- male 1337, female 1353, total 2690
Children 5-21- male- 6464, female 7305, total 13769
21 and up (i.e., eligible to vote)
Male 10933, female 12173, total 23106
In total male 18734, female 20831, total 39565

These numbers prove the accuracy of the official government census at the end of December 1930- that there are 41405 Jewish souls in Kishinev.^[6]

The difference of 1840 people represents 300 families, probably very poor, that were left out by the clerks of the Jewish community or it can be blamed on the difference in time of one and a half years between the two censuses.

The official census of 1930 provides us with numbers of the Jewish community according to several identifying marks: national, religious and language (Yiddish).

Following are detailed facts about the Jewish population of Bessarabia in comparison with other areas in the country. These are details about the settlements, according to districts, starting with 100 people. It must be deduced that

[Page 395]

from 1930 on they are relevant. Also, to the end of the 1930s, i.e., a short time before the province was annexed by Russia. The official statistics for January 1, 1938 show, in spite of the fact that the general population in Romania increased by 8.1%,that the size of the Jewish population remained the same.

As proof, we will demonstrate, in two organized tables*, facts from the government yearly statistics of births and deaths as well as the emigration of the Jewish population in 1931-1937. From these statistics we learn that there were 9023 more births than deaths in those years. If we deduct from that the number of Jews who left the country (according to these documents)- 5903 people- the remainder is 3120 people at the end of the seven years.

The anti-Semites did not stop publicizing inflated numbers about the size of the Jewish population in Romania- one and a half million people! This was double the numbers in the official census of December 1930. Octavian Goga became prime minister at the end of December 1937. He believed it, in spite of the discrepancy with official data, which he himself had brought forward in an administrative manner, while serving as Minister of the Interior in 1926-27. The numbers were close to the results of the 1930 census. He wanted to justify his assertion that it was necessary to check the validity of every Jew claiming Romanian citizenship.

A third table about the births and deaths in 1934-35 among the Jews, according to their area of residence in Romania. The main purpose is to show an estimate of births among the Jews. They had lived, for generations, under various regimes, in different cultural and economic circumstances. The lives of the Jews of Marmoresh, devoutly religious and followers of commandments were different from those of the Jews of Bessarabia, who were mainly traditional, in dire economic needs. Or the Jews of Transylvania or Moldova who lived in reasonable comfort. It does not need to be said that all those do not need to be compared to other areas in Rigat which had, mostly, plentiful lives.

Details in Table #1- 1931-35- according to religion; in 1936-37- according to national belonging

[Page 396]

	Births		Deaths		Difference
Years	In general in Romania	In general in Bessarabia	In general in Romania	In general in Bessarabia	In general in Romania	In general in Bessarabia
1931	12586	3227	9891	2652	+2695	+575
1932	12307	3237	10440	2770	+1867	+467
1933	11650	3084	9656	2579	-1995	+505
1934	11238	2876	9656	2541	-1582	+355
1935	10815	2825	10551	2850	+264	-25
1936	10563	2698	10111	2711	-452	-13
1937	10510	2657	10048	2622	+462	+35
Totals	79669	20604	70352	18725	+9317	+1879

Years	Total immigration	Jews (E.I.)*	Returning immigration	Jews (E.I.)*	Difference (Total)	Jews (E.I.)*
1931	2690	1463 (46)	2627	418 (9)	63	1045 (37)
1932	1377	803 (13)	1997	375 (6)	-620	428 (7)
1933	1179	706 (16)	1448	307 (8)	-269	399 (8)
1934	1371	863 (71)	962	178 (3)	409	685 (68)
1935	2423	1836 (1157)	718	130 (3)	1705	1706 (1154)
1936	1617	1251 (691)	366	115 (35)	1251	1136 (656)
1937	1337	658 (187)	630	154 (58)	707	504 (129)
Totals	11994	7580 (2181)	8748	1677 (172)	3246	5903 (2059)

[Page 397]

	1934				1935
District	Total Population rounded	Births	Deaths	Difference	Births	Deaths	Difference	Total difference
Bessarabia	207000	2876	2541	+335	2825	2850	-25	+310
Bucovina	93000	907	1118	-211	881	1270	-389	-600
Transylvania	82000	1432	967	+465	1313	1054	+259	+724
Banat	14000	125	208	-83	141	233	-92	-175
Krishna-Marmoresh	97000	1918	1213	+705	1852	1320	+532	+1237
Oltania	4000	26	40	-14	25	43	-18	-32
Montania	94000	1124	1177	-53	1078	1364	-286	-339
Dobruja	4000	44	54	-10	48	50	-2	-12
Moldova	162000	2786	2338	+448	2652	2367	+285	+733
Totals	757000	11238	9656	+1582	10815	10551	+264	+1846

[Page 398]

District	Religious affiliation	% of Population	National affiliation	Yiddish Mother tongue
Bessarabia	206958 100%	7.2	204858 99%	201278 men 97.3%
Bucovina 100%	93101	10.9	92492 99.3%	74288 men 80.0%
Transylvania:
1.Bagat 100%	14043	1.5	11248 80%	757 men 5.4%
2.Transylvania 100%	81503	2.5	78626 96.59%	52008 men 63.8%
3.Krishana-Marmoresh 100%	97287	7.0	88825 91.5%	58510 men 60.1%
Total Transylvania 100%	192833	3.5	178699 92.7%	111275 men 57.7%
Rigat:
1.Oltania 100%	3523	0.2%	3305 94%	601 men 17%
2.Dobruja 100%	4031	0.5	3795 94%	1816 men 45%
3.Moldova 100%	162268	6.7	158421 97.6%	109654 men 67.6%
4.Montania 100%	94216	2.3	86545 92%	19842 men 21%
Total Rigat 100%	264038	3.0	252066 96%	131913 men 50%
Total all-Romania 100%	756930	4.2	728115 96.2%	518754 men 68.5%

[Page 399]

From these comparison tables, we learn that:

1. Only 1% of the total Jewish population of Bessarabia hid its nationality- 2100 people. It is possible that this phenomenon of denying Jewish nationality and showing Romanian allegiance, is done, in the intention of some declarers, to emphasize their loyalty to their homeland, Bessarabia. As far as language was concerned, it was closer to Romania than to Russia.
2. 97.3% of the total Jewish population declared Yiddish as their mother tongue. Only 2.7%-5680 people- did not know their mother tongue. Of these- 3665 came from the urban Jewish population-3.8%, while 2015-1.9% came from the rural Jewish population. From this we can surmise that assimilation (if we can call it that) affected the urban residents more that the rural ones.

District	Denial of nationality	Ignorance of Yiddish
Bessarabia	1.0%	2.7%
Bucovina	0.7%	20.0%
Transylvania	7.3%	42.3%
Rigat	3.8%	50.0%

The high percentage of ignorance of Yiddish among the Jews of Transylvania- 42.3%-- emanates from their enthusiasm for the Hungarian language. It became their mother tongue. The Jews of Rigat where half of them did not know Yiddish can be explained by the fact that in the Montania district (it included Bucharest- 76000 Jews), a large percentage were Sephardi. Yiddish was not their language and that is why only 17% of the Jews of Montania spoke it.

[Page 400]

Division:
Romanians	12981324 people- 71.9%
Hungarians	1425507 people – 7.9%
Germans	745421 people – 4.1%
Jews	728115 people – 4.0%
Rutanians	582115 people – 3.2%
Russians	409150 people – 2.3%
Bulgarians	366384 people- 2.0%
Gypsies	262501 people - 1.5%
Others	556511 people -3.1%
Total	18057028 people- 100%

Division:
Romanians	1610757 people- 56.2%
Russians	351912 people -12.3%
Rutanians	314211 people - 11.0%
Jews	204858 people -7.2%
Bulgarians	163726 people - 5.7%
Germans	81059 people -2.8%
Others	137849 people- 4.8%
Total	2864402 people- 100%

[Page 401]

District	Total population	No. of Jews	%	% of Jewish population in Romania
Bessarabia	2864402	206958	7.2	27.34
Bucovina	853009	93101	10.9	12.3
Transylvania	5548363	192833	3.5	25.48
Rigat	8791254	264038	3.0	34.88
Total	18057028	756930	4.2	100.00

District	Total population	No. of Jews	%	% of Jewish population in Bessarabia
Orgeyev	279292	19566	7.0	9.46
Ismail	225509	6433	2.9	3.10
Akkerman	341176	11400	3.3	5.50
Beltz	386721	31916	8.3	15.42
Bendery	306592	16594	5.5	8.20
Khotin	392430	36132	9.2	17.46
Lapushna (Kishinev)	419621	50603	12.1	24.45
Soroca	316368	29510	9.3	14.26
Cahul	196693	4444	2.3	2.15
Toral	2864402	206958	7.2	100

[Page 402]

1. Orgeyev district	1897 census			December 1930 census
	Total population	No. of Jews	%	Total population	No. of Jews	%
1. Orgeyev	12336	7144	57.9	15279	6408	41.9
2. Rezina	3652	3182	87.1	3767	2889	76.6
3. Teleneshty	4379	3876	88.5	3803	2811	73.9
4. Tchinishautz	-	-	-	4360	486	11.1
5. Bravitcha	3626	300	8.3	4827	413	8.6
6. Olishkany	2943	341	11.6	3857	246	6.9
7. Pereshtchina	-	-	-	5192	241	4.6
8. Kriluyany	2054	338	16.5	2663	240	9.0
9. Mashkayutsy	-	-	-	4117	239	5.9
10. Kipertcheny	-	-	-	2987	208	7.0
11. Altchedar	-	-	-	1672	174	10.4
12. Raspopeny	-	-	-	-	158	-
13. Onishcan	-	-	-	-	-	-
14. Kobilka	-	-	-	-	151	-
15. Shuldanasht	-	-	-	-	150	-
16. Cuizovka	-	-	-	-	127	-
17. Hartop-Mare	-	-	-	-	125	-
18. Izbesht	-	-	-	-	117	-
19. Dereneu	-	-	-	-	110	-
20. Susleny	-	-	-	-	110	-
21. Scortcheny	-	-	-	-	108	-
22. Kishtalnitza	-	-	-	-	105	-
23. Molovata	-	-	-	-	103	-
24. Isacova	-	-	-	-	102	-
25. Petcheshtea	-	-	-	-	102	-
Total					16096 people
In remainder of villages (under 100 people)					3470 people
Total in district					19566 people

[Page 403]

2. Ismail district	1897 census			December 1930 census
	Total population	No. of Jews	%	Total population	No. of Jews	%
1. Ismail	22000	2781	12.6	24998	1680	6.7
2. Kilya	11618	2152	18.5	17245	1969	11.4
3. Bolgrad	12300	1196	9.7	14280	1222	8.6
4. Reni	6941	730	10.5	11923	1201	10.1
5. Vilkov	-	-	-	7414	176	2.4
Total						6248 people
In other villages with less than 100 people						185 people
Total in district						6433 people

[Page 404]

3. Akkerman district	1897 census			December 1930 census
	Total population	No. of Jews	%	Total population	No. of Jews	%
1. Akkerman (Cetatea-Alba)*	28258	5613	19.9	34485	4239	12.3
2. Tarutyno	5200	1873	36.0	5795	1546	26.7
3. Tatarbunar	6023	999	16.6	7628	1202	15.8
4. Artchiz	1827	337	18.4	2951	842	28.5
5. Bairamtcha	2718	980	36.1	2784	806	29.0
6. Volontir	-	-	-	6370	420	6.6
7. Sarata	-	-	-	2661	316	11.9
8. Shaba	-	-	-	-	159	-
9. Kazatch (Starokazatch)	-	-	-	-	-	136
10. Berezina	-	-	-	-	125	-
11. Tuzla	-	-	-	3146	118	3.0
12. Olanesht	-	-	-	-	110	-
*Belgorod-Dnestrovsk
Total						10019 people
In other villages under 100 people						1381 people
Total in district						11400 people

[Page 405]

center">%

4. Beltz district	1897 census			December 1930 census
	Total population	No. of Jews	%	Total population	No. of Jews	%
1. Beltz	18478	10348	56.0	30570	14259	46.6
2. Faleshty	6672	4518	67.7	6278	3258	51.9
3. Rishcan	3246	2247	69.2	3117	2060	66.1
4. Ungheni	1693	997	58.9	3523	1390	39.5
5. Valea-Lui-Vlad	1349	1318	97.7	1355	1281	94.5
6. Sculeni	3375	1555	46.1	3237	1207	37.3
7. Pirlitza	792	494	62.4	2297	1064	46.3
8. Alexandreni	1253	1190	95.0	1524	1018	66.8
9. Cornesht	2689	552	20.5	2469	338	13.7
10. Glodan	-	-	-	2860	214	7.5
11. Slobodzia-Balti	-	-	-	-	190	-
12. Pepeni	-	-	-	-	180	-
13. Singereya	-	-	-	-	144	-
14. Khizhdian	-	-	-	-	137	-
15. Mikhaliani	-	-	-	-	143	-
16. Sirbeshti	-	-	-	-	136	-
17. Balatina	-	-	-	-	131	-
18. Pelinia	-	-	-	-	121	-
19.Tchiutchulya	-	-	-	-	120	-
20. Shaptu-Bani	-	-	-	-	117	-
21. Sineshti	-	-	-	-	117	-
22. Sofia	-	-	-	-	108	-
23. Danul-Veky	-	-	-	-	104	-
24. Branishtya	-	-	-	-	101	-
Total						27938 people
In other villages with under 100 people						3978 people
Total in District						31916 people

[Page 406]

5. Bendery District	1897 census			December 1930 census
	Total population	No. of Jews	%	Total population	No. of Jews	%
1. Bendery	31797	10644	33.5	31384	8294	26.4
2. Romanovka	1662	1142	68.7	4696	1995	42.5
3. Caushany	3729	1675	44.9	5330	1870	35.1
4. Tchimishila	4355	752	17.3	6582	925	14.1
5. Tchadir-Lunga				7365	524	7.1
6. Tchaga (Petrovka)*	1470	611	41.6	1915	421	22.0
7. Komrat				12331	392	3.2
8. Talmaz				6240	308	4.9
9. Manzir	1079	310	28.7	2017	193	9.6
10. Taraklya					151
11. Copanca					149
12. Gura-Galbena					111
*Also, Yehupetz
Total						15333 people
In other villages with under 100 people						1421 people
Total in district						16954 people

[Page 407]

6. Khotin District	1897 census			December 1930 census
	Total population	No. of Jews	%	Total population	No. of Jews	%
1. Khotin	18000	9227	51.3	15334	5786	37.7
2. Brichany	7446	7184	96.5	5625	5354	95.2
3. Yedinitz	10211	7379	72.3	5910	5349	91.0
4. Lipcany	6865	4410	64.2	5880	4698	79.9
5. Securiany	8982	5042	56.2	5759	4216	73.2
6. Novoselitzy (Sulitza-Targ)	5891	3898	66.2	4818	4154	86.2
7. Klishkautz	7707	1000	13.0	7184	452	6.3
8. Yedinitz-village				5260	401	7.6
9. Kelmenitz				4519	318	7.0
10. Yanautz				3728	267	7.2
11. Korjheutz				4371	209	4.8
12. Romankautz				5671	180	3.2
13. Tchepulyutz	1555	163	10.5	2828	175	6.2
14. Malinitz					169
15. Lipcany village					153
16. Komarova					151
17. Neprotova	1631	268	16.4	1819	135	7.4
18. Lenkautz					134
19. Sulitza village					126
20. Babin					112
21. Kolenkautz					103
Total						32642 people
In villages under 100 people						3490 people
Total in district						36132 people

[Page 408]

7. Soroca District	1897 census			December 1930 census
	Total population	No. of Jews	%	Total population	No. of Jews	%
1. Soroca	15351	8783	57.2	15001	5452	36.3
2. Otaki	6976	4690	67.2	3503	2785	79.5
3. Zguritza	2107	1802	85.5	3028	2541	83.9
4. Britcheva	1697	1598	94.2	2735	2431	88.9
5. Markuleshty	1339	1336	99.8	2645	2337	88.4
6. Vad-Rashkov	4641	3237	70.0	3976	1970	49.5
7. Vertujeny	1057	1047	99.0	2015	1834	91.0
8. Kapreshty	1002	866	86.4	1998	1815	90.8
9. Dombroveny	1815	1726	95.0	1373	1198	87.3
10. Floreshty				1133	380	35.5
11. Kotiujhany				4740	367	7.7
12. Dondujhan				953	277	29.0
13. Liublin	517	512	99.0	300	274	91.3
14. Oknitza				2676	241	9.0
15. Tirnova				3366	201	6.0
16. Floreshty village					149
17. Otaki village					145
18. Ketros					140
19. Nadushita					126
20. Shur					113
21. Drokya					113
22. Moara-Noua					111
23. Prajila					109
24. Sanatauka					106
25. Krementchug	985	291	29.5	1149	105	91
26. Kobilya-Veki					103
Total						25423 people
In villages under 100 people						4087 people
Total in District						29510 people

[Page 409]

8. Cahul District	1897 census			December 1930 census
	Total population	No. of Jews	%	Total population	No. of Jews	%
1. Leova	4877	2773	56.9	6539	2326	35.6
2. Cahul	7077	800	11.3	11370	803	7.1
3. Baimaklya	1821	397	21.8	2439	509	19.3
Total						3638 people
In villages with under 100 people						806 people
Total in District						4444 people

[Page 410]

	Religious affiliation no. of people	Knowledge of Yiddish no. of people	%
1. Ismail	6433	5832	90.7
2. Orgeyev	19566	19017	97.0
3. Akkerman	11400	11051	97.0
4. Beltz	31916	31200	98.0
5. Bendery	16954	16633	98.1
6. Khotin	36132	35936	99.5
7. Soroca	29510	29127	98.7
8. Cahul	4444	4334	97.5
9. Lapushna (Kishinev)	50603	48148	95.1
Total	206958	201278	97.3

Districts	101-300	301-500	501-1000	1001-2000	2001-3000	3001-5000	5001-10000	10001-20000	20001-50000	Total
1. Orgeyev	20	2	-	-	2-	1-	-	-	-	25
2. Ismail	1	-	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	5
3. Akkerman	5	2	2	2	-	1	-	-	-	12
4. Beltz	15	1	-	5	1	1	-	1	-	24
5. Bendery	4	3	2	2	-	-	1	-	-	12
6. Khotin	12	3	-	-	-	3	3	-	-	21
7. Soroca	15	2	-	4	4	-	1	-	-	26
8. Cahul	-	-	2	-	1	-	-	-	-	3
9. Lapushna (Kishinev)	7	1	-	1	-	1	-	-	1	11
Totals	79	14	6	18	8	6	6	1	1	139

Original footnotes:

1. His source_ “Moniturol ofitsial” (lists from the government), #44, Bucharest, 28 February 1924. Return
2. In addition to the cities of the district, were also included: (1-4) Bolgrad, Vilkov, Kilya, Roni- in Ismail province; (5) Tuzla- in Akkerman district; (6) Komrat- in Bendery district; (7) Liova- in Cahul district; (8) Kalarash- in Kishinev district. Altogether 17 towns. Return
3. Among the villages were included: (1-2) Teleneshty, Rozina- in Orgeyev district; (3-6) Artsiz, Byramtcha, Tatarbunar, Tarutino- in Akkerman district; (7-13) Ungany , Alexandroni, Valia-loy-Vlad, Sculeni, Falasht, Pirlitz, Rishkany- in Beltz district; (14-18) Tchana (Potrovka), Tshaderlunge, Tchimishila, Kaushany, Romanovka- in Bendery district; (19-23) Britchany, Yedinitz, Lipcany, Nuvosolitza, Securany- in Khotin district; (24-32) Ōtaki, Britcheva, Dombrovan, Vad-Rashkov, Vertujheni, Zaguritza, Lublin, Markulesht, Kaprosht- in Soroca district; (33-) Bymaklia- in Cahul district; (34) Hantchasht- in Kishinev district. Return
4. According to the 1928 mini encyclopedia of the Soviet Union, volume A, page 703, the Jewish population came to 11.8% of the entire total of 295700. This would mean close to 34900 people. It is not indicated on what basis these numbers were given. It is possible that it was only according to natural growth. This, without taking into account the demographic disasters at the time. These caused a decrease in the numbers of the Jewish population. They were: immigration overseas after the pogroms of 1903 and 1905, victims of WWI, the annexation of the province by Romania which produced a stream of movement to new areas, and the immigration during 1918-20. Return
5. Unser Tzeit, #1937, 28 February 1929 Return
6. Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, N.Y., Volume B, pages 46-47- citing an article by I. Leshtsinsky-number of Jews in Kishinev in 1930 was 80000. There is no basis for this number and it seems to have been only an estimate. Return

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