U.S. Ambassador to Launch a New Cultural Preservation Project in Chisinau

The U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova will announce on September 12 a grant via the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation to preserve the beit kaddishim (funeral hall) within the Chisinau Jewish Cemetery on Milano street. The project, a partnership between the U.S. and Moldovan governments, will conduct archaeological site survey; historical research; and eventual conservation of beit kaddishim. The Jewish History Museum of the Republic of Moldova will be in charge of the preservation project.

Until recently, there were very few known traces of Jewish heritage older than the 19th century in Moldova. There were Jews in Moldova before that, of course. But except for a few tombstones and synagogue ruins around the country, there was almost no physical evidence of them. Now that’s changing. Recent field research, expeditions and excavations have revealed Moldova’s Jewish heritage to be even deeper and richer than we realized.

A field research in 2019 discovered here fragments of Jewish tombstones. They were part of a Jewish cemetery, dated back to early 18th century, that was apparently demolished at the end of the 1950s.

Together, we will honor the memory and embrace the legacy of those who once lived in this spot.

Scheduled to take place on 3 September, 2023, the Opening Ceremony of the European Days of Jewish Culture will launch this year’s edition of the European Days of Jewish Culture. The ceremony is set to take place at the emblematic Grande Synagogue de l’Europe in Brussels. This choice of venue is of particular significance, as it is one of the main seats of the European Union, and it testifies to the vital role of Jewish culture in fostering understanding and collaboration between European communities.

The ceremony will focus on this edition’s theme of memory, through a variety of speeches on the contribution of Jewish culture to Europe and a varied musical program. Representatives of Spanish Presidency of the EU, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, Mr.

Inauguration par la Ville de Bouxwiller du « Parvis Gilbert Weil », suivie d’un vin d’honneur offert par la municipalité

“Graver la mémoire juive au cœur de la Cité du lion”
“Aux bons serviteurs de la communauté israélite de Belfort”
Inauguration d’une plaque des rabbins et des présidents depuis l’origine de la communauté israélite de Belfort illustrée d’une conférence par Nadia Hofnung,
Pièces de musique liturgique par Michel Cazeaux.
Ouvert à tous publics – Entrée Libre – Accès PMR
Contact : Nadia Hofnung, Association Judaïques Cultures
nadia.hofnung@gmail.com tél : 33 6 63 06 32 87

Program:

– The exhibition “Book of the Memory of Wojslawice” will be prepared on the basis of translations and photographs from the Wojslawice Memorial Book published in Tel Aviv in 1970 and will be presented in a gallery in the former woman section of the Wojslawice synagogue.
– A ceremony in memory of the Holocaust victims of Wojslawice will be held on the anniversary of the deportation of Wojslawice Jews to the Sobibor death camp, at the monument at the World War II mass grave of the execution victims, unveiled in 2021.
– Don’t miss the enchanting concert of Jewish music during the Musical All Souls’ Festival. Join us for a memorable musical experience in [location/date].

ŠTETL FEST is a multi-genre festival that gives a glimpse into Jewish culture and history under the subheading “Dignity in Diversity”.

The programme, consisting of lectures, concerts, theatrical shows and appearances by personalities of Judaism and stars of Jewish culture, aims to contribute to the understanding and openness of the Jewish community not only in Central Europe. It is arranged in a comprehensible and attractive way for the broadest public, opening up opportunities for dialogue for all, regardless of religion, gender or race, and thus leading to tolerance and sensitivity to different ways and opinions.

The festival is based on the foundations of Brno’s Jewish history, from which grows a colourful, vibrant and no less interesting layer of contemporary Brno. It is the largest festival of Jewish culture in the Czech Republic.