Crafts Schools in Romania

Along with the development of Bucharest and the emergence of factories all across the country, the need for skilled craftspeople started to grow, too. But they needed training. Therefore, several schools of crafts were set up

Christine Leșcu, 12.12.2015, 14:19

Along with the development of Bucharest and the emergence of factories all across the country, the need for skilled craftspeople started to grow, too. But they needed training. Therefore, several schools of crafts were set up, such as the “Hammer Crafts School, one that scored many firsts.

Anca Tudorancea, a historian with the Center for the Study of Jewish History in Romania told us more: “The ‘Hammer School of Crafts was the first such school in Romania, set up on the basis of a decision issued back in 1897. It was one of the first schools in Romania where teaching was also done in English. That school, just like other Jewish primary and secondary schools that emerged in Bucharest in early 20th century, were the result of pressure. Two laws were voted in late 19th century, which excluded almost entirely Jewish children from the Romanian public education system. The ‘Hammer School was therefore the result of the Jewish communitys need to integrate its members in society. The school curriculum was revolutionary for that period. First of all, focus was laid on apprenticeship and popularization conferences. Many times, these children who were trained to become locksmiths or carpenters, were given conferences by some of the best specialists in the Jewish community, in various fields, such as music. Also, a school brass band was set up, because, after the setting up of the dorms in 1909, students had more time to develop other abilities as well. In 1915, there were conferences on cinematography and universal history, something that did not happen in regular state schools.

Its founder was Adolf Solomon, the owner of a wrought iron furniture factory in Bucharest. He thus wanted to train future workers and give a chance to children in the Dudesti and Vacaresti neighborhoods where poor Jews lived and where the school was raised. In the 1930s, in addition to Jewish children, Christian and Muslim children were also enrolled at the school. Since many students came from disadvantaged families, the school gave them scholarships and even clothes, school supplies and food. The school also relied on the money obtained by selling the items made by students; some of them found their way in synagogues and churches. Students made fences, chandeliers, menorahs and other religious objects. Also, many of the iron ornaments made by the school children were to be found in secular buildings. The school founded by Adolf Solomon was permanently preoccupied with getting funding.

Anca Tudorancea: “He is the founder of the school, the man who often offered his own money to support it. Some school reports say that there was a special bond between foremen and students. In the beginning, there were some 30 students; however, over time, there were 60-80 students on average a year. In certain years there were even 150 students. They had to face a lot of hardships for the upkeep of the school, and not only did Adolf Solomon participate financially, he also compiled all sorts of reports and applications for subsidy he then sent to various international institutions, such as ‘The Jewish Colonization Association, which subsidized about one third of the school revenue. They managed to keep the place rolling on a yearly basis, although at times they hit a rough patch. For instance, from 1906 to 1909 the school was not operational because of lack of funding, although their results were good and craftsmen schooled t here had even managed to work in Los Angeles in New York.

In spite of all that, the school recovered, although they were in for difficult times during the German occupation of 1917, when some of the buildings of the school compound were turned into stables for the German cavalry. However, school graduates were always able to find work, at home as well as abroad. Some of them even wrote down impressions on the effect their training had in the United States.

Here are their testimonials, brought to you at the microphone by Anca Tudorancea: “Frank Silberstein wrote from Los Angeles in 1906: I attended the Hammer School, the metal shop and since fate brought me to America, and holding such mastery, from the very first day of my arrival there I felt it was good to be a craftsman. There I met old friends, elementary school mates, and although they could speak English very well, were unable to find a job. Whereas I, with no knowledge of the language, found a job from the very first day of my arrival there. You can imagine that words fail me if I want to express my gratitude for teachers and our beloved school.

The good day for the Hammer Crafts School would come to an end in 1948, when it became property of the state. However, during the communist regime it retained its profile, since until recently it has been used as the premises for a vocational school.