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The uniqueness of different communities of Romanian Jews is reflected in religious life and ceremonies, including those related to the major stages of transitions in life marked by rituals which include sets of laws and customs. In these ceremonies, the community emphasizes the individuals affiliation to it, supporting him in moving from one stage in life to the next.
In this chapter, we will present pictures and documents used by Romanian Jews in the life-cycle rites beginning with circumcision, through marriage to the burial customs of the various groups; (Ashkenazi, Hasidim and Sephardic), among the Jews of Romania.
In modern times, Romanian Jews performed religious ceremonies after registering with local authorities. The photographs and documents we have received from collectors and various families have provided the materials for the reconstruction of the ceremonies. Since most of the families did not have all of the documents and pictures to put together a complete picture, we have tried to draw a picture of the ceremonies from documents and photographs from different families and we present them here. For example, civil marriage certificates couples received prior to their religious wedding ceremony from one family along with wedding invitations from other collections; a civil birth certificate from the collection of one family alongside an invitation to the circumcision from a collection of another.
Since most of the Romanian Jews have left the country and emigrated to Israel and other countries in Europe, the United Sates, Canada and South America, some of the customs presented here have ceased to exist, while yet others continue and have even been renewed. Thus, the past, present, and future are intertwined; emphasizing the rhythm of life with its constantly changing expressions.
