Photo: Remains of the Old Jewish Cemetery, destroyed by Soviet authorities, in Vilnius, Lithuania. Photo Credits: Shutterstock/Renata Apanaviciene
Agudath Israel is pleased that the Lithuanian government has reversed its decision to build a conference center on the Old Jewish Cemetery in the Shnipeshok section of Vilnius. The cemetery is the resting place of all Jews who died in Vilna between 1593 and 1830, among whom are many great tzadikim including the Chayai Adam and the Be’er HaGolah.
The battle to preserve the Shnipeshok cemetery has been ongoing for many years. Rabbonim and askonim across the globe have been deeply involved in the effort. The matter even reached the table of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, who sent an impassioned letter in 2020 to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda imploring him to do all in his power to block the proposed development and protect the cemetery.
“The cemetery in Shnipeshok occupies a prominent place in the hearts of Jews the world over. Great sages and scholars, whose piety and leadership are revered still today, and whose written scholarship is studied today, are buried there. All cemeteries deserve respect; the Old Jewish Cemetery in Shnipeshok deserves special respect,” they wrote.
“We are pleased to report this week that the plans for construction were suspended by the government of Lithuania. We commend the government of Lithuania for making the right decision on this important matter,” said Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America.