Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs Frank Finver and Cultural Affairs Specialist Beata Milewska attended the 29th Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow and, with Consulate Political Specialist Marek Guzik, also participated in the re-consecration of the Jewish Cemetery in Tarnow. The Tarnow cemetery is one of the largest and oldest in southern Poland – dating date to 1581. Restoration which lasted two years was made possible by an EU grant and private donations, including from U.S. citizens who trace their roots to Tarnów.
Adam Bartosz (Chairman of the Committee for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Tarnow) and Tarnow Mayor Roman Ciepiela presided over the well-attended ceremony, which also featured prayers and remarks from Chief Rabbi of Poland Michael Shudrich, renovation initiator Josef Teitelbaum, and several American descendants of Tarnow’s once thriving Jewish community. Guests included Jewish family members of Tarnow descent from the U.S., UK, Israel, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands. The event was also attended by the representatives of diplomatic corps of Germany, France, Hungary, Austria and the U.S. Letters of acknowledgement and appreciation were sent to the organizers from the chancellery of the President of Poland , Euro-parliamentarians – Roza Thun, Jerzy Buzek, Archbishop of Lodz – Grzegorz Ryś, and others.
The event inaugurated the 24th edition of the Days of Remembrance of Galicia Jews in Tarnów, which will run through July 14.
