Following nearly two years of intensive efforts a delegation
of rabbonim belonging to the Association of Rabbis from
Romania in Israel and Rabbi Halpert succeeded in lobbying the
Romanian government to pass legislation protecting Jewish
cemeteries throughout the country.
According to figures provided by the Jewish Federation in
Bucharest, there are currently 762 Jewish cemeteries in
Romania. No Jew has stepped foot in the majority of them for
decades therefore the new legislation, which makes damaging
them a criminal offense for which violators will be tried and
punished, is important for the preservation of these
cemeteries.
Members of the delegation sent to Romania include Rabbi
Shmuel Halpert, then an MK and chairman of the Religious
Lobby, HaRav Yoel Tobias, rov of Bnei Brak's Shikun Vov and
president of the Association of Rabbis from Romania in
Israel, HaRav Aharon Roter, author of Shaarei Aharon,
and HaRav Chaim Leib Deutsch, the rov of Chug Chasam Sofer in
Petach Tikva. They were joined by Agudas Yisroel of America
board members Rav Yechezkel Besser and Professor Moshe
Reicher.
At a conference held in Bnei Brak HaRav Tobias presented a
report on the association's various activities and the
efforts invested in meetings with government figures until
the goal was achieved. Before the conference the rabbonim on
the Association board visited the homes of HaRav Aharon Leib
Shteinman and HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, who were
briefed on the issue.
HaRav Tobias provided details on the present situation of
Jews in Romania. Thanks to efforts by the Jewish Federation
daily minyanim are held in the capital city of
Bucharest and in the city of Iasi, located near the Moldavian
border. In a handful of other cities minyanim are held
on Shabbosos and chagim as well as Mondays and
Thursdays. There are two kosher mikvehs, one in
Bucharest and the other in Iasi, which is a six hour drive to
the north.
The Federation directors, with Joint assistance, are working
hard in the areas of social services and medical care,
particularly for the elderly and disabled. In a few cities
shiurim on Judaism are held, drawing young
participants. The level of Jewish studies should be raised,
says HaRav Tobias, and sifrei kodesh translated into
modern Romanian are lacking. Also sifrei Torah in
Romania are very old and often posul.
MKs Rabbi Moshe Gafni and Rabbi Yaakov Litzman also took part
in the conference.
