JEWISH HISTORIC MONUMENTS AND SITES IN BULGARIA United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad 2011 Acknowledgements Many people worked on the survey on which this report provides information. Work was carried out in two main phases. In 2003, part of the survey was prepared as a section of an overview of various ethnic and religious minority historic and artistic sites in Bulgaria by Professors Mark Stefanovich and Evelina Kelbetcheva of the American University in Bulgaria. Professors Stefanovich and Kelbetcheva and their students collected most of the historical information adapted to the introductory section of this report, and a substantial part of the information on Bulgarian synagogues. A second part of the survey took place in 2005 and 2006 and included site visits, descriptions, and extensive photography of Jewish cemeteries. The Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria, “Shalom,” carried out this stage of the work. Becca Lazarova arranged for the survey on behalf of “Shalom.” The following individuals, most of whom are members of the Jewish community of Bulgaria, participated: Avram Iossifov Alkalai; Nisim Benbasat; David Shalom Davidov; Samuil Eshkenazi; Moriz Eshkenazy; Michel Geron; Beta Harlanova; Fredi Nissim Israelov; Robert Jerassy; Anri Yosif Jivri; Maya Kozareva; Jacques Leji; Avram Levi; Josef Meshula; Solomon Mitrani; Jack Moshe; Elia Solomon Moskona; Yakov Plamen; David Madjar Simantov; Nisim Talvi; and Elin Todorov. Most of the information about Bulgarian synagogues is based on research by Professor Rachel Angelova and architect Miriana Jordanova. It was supplemented by data provided by “Shalom,” the Jewish Heritage Grant Program of the World Monuments Fund, and the International Survey of Jewish Monuments. Former Commission Research Director Samuel Gruber made site visits to the synagogues and to Jewish cemeteries in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Vidin. Special thanks are given to Boris Yakov in Varna for hosting Dr. Gruber in that city. In addition, Commission Members Ned Bandler and Michael Levy visited the former synagogue in Samakov. The Commission also thanks Ambassador James W. Pardew and staff of the United States Embassy in Sofia for their assistance. Information for the report was collated and initially edited into the report by Dr. Gruber. Executive Director Jeffrey L. Farrow and Program Manager Katarina A. Krzysztofiak provided editorial and other assistance at various stages in preparing the survey and the report. Commission Chairman Warren L. Miller encouraged the project at every stage. And Commission Members Bandler and Levy provided insight and support. Front cover photo: Fragments of tombstones at the Kyustendil cemetery. The sign reads: “Remnants from the devastations of Jewish graves.” Table of Contents Jewish Communities and Cultural Monuments .............................................................. 1 Survival of Bulgarian Jews During the Holocaust ................................................................... 3 Jewish Community in Present-Day Bulgaria ............................................................................ 3 Jewish Monuments in Bulgaria ..................................................................................................... 3 Synagogues.................................................................................................................................. 5 Burgas (Bourgas) ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Dupnitsa (Dupnica) ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Gotze Delchev (formerly Nevrokop) ...................................................................................................... 6 Haskovo .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Pazardjik ............................................................................................................................................................ 9 Plovdiv ................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Ruse (Ruosse) ............................................................................................................................................... 12 Samokov .......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Sofia .................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Varna ................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Vidin .................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Yambol (Iambol) .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Cemeteries ............................................................................................................................... 18 Burgas (Bourgas) ........................................................................................................................................ 19 Chirpan (Shirpan) ....................................................................................................................................... 21 Dupnitsa (Dupnica) .................................................................................................................................... 21 Gotze Delchev (formerly Nevrokop) ................................................................................................... 23 Haskovo ........................................................................................................................................................... 26 Karnobat ......................................................................................................................................................... 28 Kazanlak .......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Kyustendil ...................................................................................................................................................... 31 Lom ................................................................................................................................................................... 33 Pazardjik ......................................................................................................................................................... 34 Pleven ............................................................................................................................................................... 39 Plovdiv ............................................................................................................................................................. 42 Ruse (Rousse) ............................................................................................................................................... 48 Samokov .......................................................................................................................................................... 51 Shumen (Kolarovgrad, 1950 – 1966) ................................................................................................. 53 Silistra .............................................................................................................................................................. 56 Sliven ................................................................................................................................................................ 59 Sofia .................................................................................................................................................................. 61 Varna ................................................................................................................................................................ 66 Vidin .................................................................................................................................................................. 68 Yambol (Iambol) .......................................................................................................................................... 71 Appendix I: Agreement Between the United States and Bulgaria ........................ 74 Appendix II: Contacts ........................................................................................................... 78 Appendix III: Bibliography ................................................................................................. 80 Jewish Communities and Cultural Monuments Jews have been present in the territory of modern Bulgaria for almost 2,000 years. An ancient synagogue has been partially excavated in Plovdiv. A late Second Century Latin inscription found at the village of Gigen on the shore of the Danube (near