Following protracted negotiations with the local authorities in Toledo, Spain (see previous articles here and here), on Sunday, April 3, 2011, a memorial was placed on the site of the historic Jewish cemetery in Toledo.
Almost two years ago, bones were located in the grounds of a local school and were found to be from a Jewish cemetery probably dating from at least the 14th century. Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492 but previous to that point, Toledo was a major centre of Jewish life in Spain and home to many famous rabanim.
“This decision to mark the site and to protect the graves of the historic Jewish community of Toledo is a prototype for the role of constructive dialogue while standing on the principle that bones should not be removed from their original resting place. I wish to pay tribute in particular to the strong stance of the Jewish community in Spain as well as to the tremendous work of Rabbi Schlesinger and Rabbi Ginsburg of the Committee for the Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries in Europe who have enabled this memorial to come to fruition on the original site,” said Philip Carmel, Executive Director of the Lo Tishkach Foundation.
“Our thanks also go to the Toledo city council and the Region of Castilla-La Mancha for their assistance in enabling this project to come to fruition”, Carmel added.
The ceremony was conducted by Spain’s Chief Rabbi, Moshe Bendahan, in the presence of local officials and Jewish community representatives as well as Rabbi Ginsburg from the CPJCE. The inscription on the memorial reads: “Toledo Medieval Jewish Cemetery – Have compassion towards all the souls of the people buried here, may the Supreme King, in his infinite mercy, protect them, may they be attached to eternal life, and may they rest in peace, and we shall say amen.”
