VILNIUS - It was the darling of Lithuania. “The cradle of Jewish culture,” as depicted by the Mayor of Vilnius, Mr. Remigijus Simasius at an auspicious occasion. This was an opportunity for the mayor to panhandle the importance he attached to the Jewish heritage of Vilnius. On the surface it appears that the City of Vilnius’ Mayor Remigijus Simasius, appreciates that Jewish culture is somewhat intrinsic to the capital . Its origins date back hundred of years. It was once a thriving city of Torah scholars, Talmudic enthusiasts who walked with the words of Torah on their lips.
During World War II, virtually the entire Mir Yeshiva miraculously escaped Lithuania with the assistance of the Japanese consul in Kovna, Sempo Sugihara. See Escape to Shanghai
Surprisingly, the nostalgic memories of what was once Lithuania, have taken a turn. At the centre of the stage, is a decision by the Lithuanian government , to construct a conference centre on the grounds of the Old Cemetery in Shnipishok, Vilnius .
The proposed construction is a clear desecration of the Jewish cemetery. An expert panel has determined that any building or use of the cemetery, outside the framework of its use as a cemetery, is illegal. An auspicious Jewish court, that of Rabbi Nissim Karelitz Z”L’s Beis Din has already ruled that construction and use of the conference centre is forbidden. The Honorable Court’s decision was also affirmed by leading halachic expert in Jewish Law, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky . Additionally, legal experts point to the the plan’s violation of the Hague Convention and EU Charter of Human Rights.
The Shnipishok resting place for well over 50,000 Jews is over 500 years old and includes some of the luminaries of the Vilna Gaon’s family, the Chayei Adam, the Ber Hagaola and many others. See Save Vilna online which reflects on the giants of the Jewish community who are buried there. www.savevilna.org/the-project
Tragically, a dark cloud hangs over the once vibrant City of Vilnius, where Jewish lives and culture thrived. Prominent Rabbis from across the globe have rallied to intervene. An initiative spearheaded by the de facto guardian of the cemetery, Mr. Dov Fried (see savevilna.org ), hopes to protect the cemetery and the threatening desecration.
Website: www.quora.com/profile/Jonus-Norkus
David Sagorin
Jewish Lives Matter
worldhotspots111@gmail.com
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