An exhibition took place in Moldova’s capital city of Chisinau to raise the question of the situation of Moldova’s synagogues.
The fancy display of photographs depicts different synagogues throughout Poland; some which were destroyed during the Holocaust under Nazi atrocities and persecution, some which were miraculously salvaged and have since been restored, and the latest additions to the vast collection of newly erected houses of worship.
Intended in hosting the exhibition is the strengthening of Jewish culture and religious activities in Moldova, hoping to restore and reimburse the community for stolen property. The Poland Institute in Romania which is based in Bucharest is coordinating the exhibition at the Chisinau Exhibition Center, running in conjunction with the local Jewish community headed by Shliach Rabbi Zalman Abelsky, the city’s chief rabbi.
Although there is much information concerning the artist and photographers whose work is being showcased, little of it is accompanying their work in this display. Rather, much information about the importance of relations between Poland, Romania and Moldova, focusing mainly on the Holocaust period in Poland.
Rabbi Abelsky, the Chief Rabbi of Kishinev and Moldova delivered an address of blessings to the organizers at the launching of the exhibition. His words were aired on national radio stations, followed by an interview.
At the opening evening event many dignitaries were present including: the Deputy Minister of Culture of the State of Moldova, the Chairman of the Polish Institute of Romania.
One of the speakers of the event admonished the government for the disregard for Jewish property, reiterated the need to return Jewish places of worship and protested the demolition of a Jewish graveyard which was replaced by a leisure park in Kishinev.
Representatives of the local Jewish organizations included, the Chief Rabbi of Kishinev and Moldova Rabbi Zalman Abelsky and his wife, the Director of the Center for Jewish Culture, Chairman of the Jewish Artists Club, Jewish representatives from the Center of Ethnology, the Center of Scientific Academia in Moldova as well as the coordinator of the Moldova’s Museum of Jewish Heritage.
Rabbi Abelsky related to Chabad Info that he saw the event as a materialization of the prophecy that “the nations will accommodate you”, seen clearly through their willingness to help the Jewish cause in gladness. “They endeavour to free our synagogues and to have them returned to the spear-headers of Jewish revival in Russia – Chabad.”
