Altnerante names: Asuagiul-de-Sus, Asuaju de Sus, Asuajul-de-Sus. Asuaju de Sus (Hungarian: Felsőszivágy) is a commune is composed of two villages, Asuaju de Jos and Asuaju de Sus. The river Asuaj flows through this commune.
US Commission Reference Number: RO/MM/60. 47°34' 23°11', 257.6 miles NNW of Bucharest
Summary: Although the cemetery in Asuajul de Sus did not figure on the list of known cemeteries from the Jewish community in Baia Mare, it is evident that someone has been caring for the site by regularly cutting the grass around the stones. Fields surround the site. There is a noticeable line of demarcation between the land that has been used for agriculture and the boundaries of the cemetery, which have obviously been respected by whoever is using this land. A bivol (type of Asian water buffalo) herder, smoking a cigarette that was rolled in yesterday's newspaper, directed us towards another Jewish cemetery in Asuajul de Jos a couple of kilometers away. Despite further inquires in the village, we were unable to locate this potential cemetery site. It is possible that the cemetery in Asuajul de Sus served both villages, as it is located at a point that is roughly equidistant between the two.
The cemetery is clearly visible to the right of the road near the sign marking the entrance to the village. Alternate/former names of town or village: Hungarian: Felsőszivágy and Romanian: Asuajul de Sus This site was not known to the community in Baia Mare at the time of the survey. Comunitatea Evreilor (Baia Mare), Str. Someşului Nr. 5, 4800 Baia Mare, Jud. Maramureş, Romania. Tel: (40-62) 211-231 or Federation of Jewish Communities Romania, Str. Sf. Vineri 9-11, Bucureşti, Tel: (40-1) 613-2538, 143-0010-100. Contact: Mr. Alex Silvan. Further inquiries about the site could be addressed to the Jewish community in Baia Mare or the Federation of Jewish Communities in Bucuresti.
The community in Asuajul de Jos (about 3 km away) probably also used this cemetery. The isolated rural (agricultural flat land has no sign or marker. A public road reaches the cemetery with access open to all (no wall, gate, or fence.) Present size of cemetery is by on-site estimate, 12.5 m x 42m. (525 sq.m.) 7 gravestones are in the cemetery: 2 standing straight up, 5 leaning. Vegetation and water drainage are not problems. The granite, limestone, and sandstone memorial markers are flat shaped or smoothed and inscribed in Hebrew. No special monuments or known mass graves. The cemetery property is now used for agriculture (crops.) Compared to 1939, the cemetery boundaries enclose the same size. No visitors. Care is local non-Jewish residents clearing vegetation.
This site clearly used as someone's private field. In that case, it is cared for as any typical field in the area. At the time of our visit, hay had recently been mown from the site. No structures. Whoever is using the field at the current time is clearly taking care not to disturb the stones. However, because there is no fence and because the stones are in clear view of the road, they are literally "there for the taking" for a determined thief. Therefore, security and weather erosion are threats.
John DeMetrick and Christina Crowder, formerly of Romania and now in the US visited the site and completed the survey on 24 June 2000 using List of Cemeteries known by Jewish Community in Baia Mare on 30 June 2000. Further inquiries about the site could be addressed to the Jewish community in Baia Mare or the Federation of Romanian Jewish Communities in Bucuresti. They interviewed a shepherd, who happened to be standing on the road next to the site.