The funeral hall (beit kaddishim) of the Jewish Cemetery in Chisinau will be renovated. The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation offers US$200,000 for executing the restoration works, IPN reports.
The money is provided by the U.S. to complete the topographic works, historical research and to restore the site. The restoration project is a concrete example of the respect of the American people for the diverse culture and history of Moldova, said U.S. Ambassador in Chisinau Kent Logsdon.
Before the atrocities committed against Jews during the pogrom and the Holocaust of the 20th century, Moldova was one of the important centers of Jewish life in Europe. The Jewish community in Moldova continues bringing its contribution to developing the country, noted the diplomat.
Starting with 2001, the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation has financed in Moldova projects to the total value of over US$1.5 million.
Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan said the Jewish community played a cardinal role in what is called the common heritage of society in Moldova. The current aspect of Moldova cannot be imagined without this element. The official approved of the efforts made and financial and moral support offered by the U.S. to Moldova. According to him, this project will be primarily a scientific one. A working group of the Jewish community will be created to supervise the works that will be executed so as not to cause damage and make mistakes.
The minister noted that it goes not only to the restoration, renovation of a building. It goes to the history, heritage, acknowledgement of what happened during the 20th century so as to avoid mistakes, the repeat of crimes and to build a society based on mutual respect and knowledge of the historical truth in the 21st century.
The president of the Jewish Community of Moldova Alexander Bilinkis said that there are over 100 Jewish cemeteries in Moldova and many of them are fenced, but there are also abandoned cemeteries. Even if this cemetery is situated in the capital city, it has the same fate. A large part of it was turned into a park and tennis courts. Apartment buildings were recently erected on the site of the former Jewish cemetery. They failed to keep the memory of those who were buried there. Many of the members of the Jewish community are disappointed with the situation, but they hope for the better. The project financed by the U.S. could give an impetus for the protection of other monuments.
Irina Shiova, director of the Museum of History of Jews of the Republic of Moldova, stated that this restoration project is a clear signal for everyone that the Moldovan national heritage and the Jewish ethnic heritage as an integral part of the Moldovan national heritage are important.
