Traian Popovici

Traian Popovici (October 17, 1892 – June 4, 1946) was a Romanian lawyer and mayor of Cernăuți (now Chernivtsi, Ukraine) during World War II. Born in Rușii Mănăstioarei, Bukovina, he earned his law degree from the University of Chernivtsi in 1919. As mayor in 1941, Popovici opposed the deportation of the city's Jewish population to Transnistria. Through persistent appeals, he secured exemptions for approximately 20,000 Jews, citing their essential roles in the local economy. His efforts led to his dismissal in 1942. In 1969, Yad Vashem recognized Popovici as Righteous Among the Nations for his courageous actions.