The extensive efforts to renovate the ancient cemetery in
Kaliningrad (Koenigsberg) and to locate the grave of Reb
Yisroel Salanter, have received significant impetus this past
month, due to the discovery of an ancient document, the
original bill for the grave in which Reb Yisroel is buried.
This bill is obviously crucial for the continuation of the
search.
This column, which has reported on the intensive activity
taking place since the issue first appeared on world Jewry's
agenda, has already described the many difficulties facing
the heads of the action Committee.
After the precise borders of the ancient cemetery were found,
the historical testimonies regarding the location of Reb
Yisroel's grave were examined, but were found to be too
general and vague: "a plot near the entrance," "a plot near
empty plots which have not been sold," etc.
Reb Gedaliah Olstein, a descendent of Reb Yisroel, who
involved himself with great exuberance, approached former
residents of Koenigsberg, in an attempt to obtain documents
or pictures, but his efforts were of no avail.
The entire city, especially its Jewish quarter, was destroyed
by bombardments during World War II. When the government
changed hands, the Communist regime decided to effect a
"transfer" which involved a sweeping expulsion of all German
residents and the liquidation of all of the archives which
contained historical material about ancient Koenisgberg.
On his last visit to Kalilingrad two months ago, Reb Gedsliah
invited the head of the local Jewish community, Mr. Avigdor
(Victor) Shapira to visit him in Eretz Yisroel and to savor
an authentic Shabbos in Eretz Hakodesh, among Torah-observant
Jews.
Mr. Shapira accepted the invitation, and arrived during the
very week of Reb Yisroel's yahrzeit. While in Eretz
Yisroel, he decided to attempt to research the ancient Jewish
community of Koenigsberg. hoping to find material on the
history of the city, he approached the archives of the Jewish
History Department of the Hebrew University. Not even
imagining the scope of the tremendous treasure he would in
the end find.
When he reached the archive, he was surprised to learn that
the librarians were currently arranging material on the
Jewish community of Koenisgberg.
On the table were files which included thousands of
documents. He began to sort them, and discovered documents
pertaining to the cemetery. The documents were written in
German, in the old Gothic Script, which is difficult for one
not proficient in classical languages to decipher. He
summoned Rav Gedaliah Olstein, and together the two managed
to locate accurate maps marking the blocs and plots in the
cemetery. Their most important discovery was the bill for Reb
Yisroel's grave.
The two hastened to convey the good news to Rav Shlomo Wolbe
who had headed the delegation of mashgichim and
rabbonim to kalilingrad last year. HaRav Wolbe read
the bill excitedly, deciphered the old German script, and
translated all of the documents.
The burial certificate is dated the 4th of February 1833, and
refers to the levaya of Rabiner Yisroel Lipkin whose
grave was dug in Bloc 4, row 21, plot 1.
The startling revelation instilled the activists with renewed
energy. Those involved in the sacred labor recalled the
chizuk of Rav Nosson Wachtfogel, the mashgiach
of Lakewood, who had headed the delegation, and who had urged
them to continue despite the difficulties and the obstacles.
His firm belief that the difficulties attested to the
magnitude of the issue, and that those who grope in the
darkness will eventually see great light, still echoed in
their ears and continued to encourage them.
HaRav Yosef Tzvi Dunner, the ravad of London, was the
last rav of Koenigsburg and has been deeply involved in all
the efforts.
They also pin their recent siyato d'Shmaya on the
merit of the spiritual transformation the Jewish community of
Kalilingrad is currently undergoing.
The rav who was sent to the city founded a permanent
minyan and the head of the community, Mr. Victor
Shapiro, has begun to send youngsters to yeshivos in Moscow,
were they are succeeding in their studies.
In this manner, the vision of Reb Yisroel Salanter, who
arrived in Kaliningrad 120 years ago in order to strengthen
its Jewish community, is beginning to materialize.
Now, that all of the important documents have been
discovered, it is possible to set about locating and
renovating Reb Yisroel's grave, if only the appropriate
financial resources are secured.
