The Day of Israel, in Braşov
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The Jewish Community of Brasov organized festivities celebrating 65 years of Independence of the State of Israel on Sunday, April 21st 2013. This event is part of a series of events organized uninterruptedly by the Jewish Community of Brasov, for the purpose of making known to the people from Brasov the events which have already become a landmark and a living cultural presence in the daily lives of the locals. With a steady number of Jews and an active participation in traditional celebrations, this community consists today of 200 members.
Present in Brasov for more than 200 years
At the entrance to the Synagogue at Schei Gate there is a plate in honour of the first Jews who settled in Brasov (1807 - 2007), with the following words: "200 years from the settlement in Brasov of the first Jewish family is celebrated on June 16th 2007. Living together with other nationalities, the Jews have contributed to the economic and cultural development of these places during these two centuries. They had a rich community life, they built schools, they brought in erudite rabbis, and they built synagogues keeping the faith inherited from their ancestors intact. For the last 50 years many of them returned to their native country ? ISRAEL, but they also cherish the country where they were born."
The Message of the President of Israel
At the Synagogue of Brasov the celebration of the 65 years began with a prayer read by the rabbi in which he asked God to protect the two states, Israel and Romania, and wished peace to the people from far and near. After that, the message of the President of Israel, Shimon Peres, was read, who addressed the Jews in diaspora and the Jews from Israel. In his message, he thanked to all who sacrificed their lives for the country and said that we need a better world in order to maintain peace. Then the Israeli Declaration of Independence was read and a group of children lit 7 candles in honour of the heroes who shed their blood in battles, of the world?s states wisdom and the proclamation of the state of Israel and its independence.
The 12 lightning torches
The President of the Jewish Community of Brasov, Roth Tiberiu, said: "The State of Israel is open to all the Jews in the world, to all living in all the corners of this Earth. Israel wishes to live in harmony and friendly relations with the neighbouring countries and it is the only democratic state from the Middle East. I am glad to be here at the Synagogue in Brasov. We managed to celebrate the Day of Israel the same way as our ancestors did. Along the entrance alley, we lit 12 torched representing the 12 tribes of Israel. We sung the hymns of the two states, Israel and Romania, and we organized an entertaining show of Jewish songs, and the children from a High School of Codlea performed Israeli and Romanian dances, as a token of the sufferance and ill treatment of children from the extermination camps."
The event was very touching and brought tears into the eyes of the members of the Jewish Community of Brasov.
