The Committee for the Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries in Europe

344 Fairholt Road, London N16 5HW Tel: 020 8802 6853 Fax: 020 8802 6905/8800 0279

23rd August 2015

 Press Release

We are pleased to inform that the CPJCE and its USA counterparts Admas Kodesh and their affiliated Organisations and Rabbinical Boards in the USA and Europe, haw engaged in intense negotiations with the Lithuanian Government in conjunction with the Lithuanian Jewish Community with regard to the Government proposals over the Sports Palace at the Snipiskes cemetery.

The CPJCE and Admas Kodesh have been heavily involved in achieving the initial successful agreement in 2009, which secured the the comprehensive preservation and protection of the remainder of the Snipiskes Jewish cemetery that resulted in scrapping the planned development on the cemetery grounds, the removal of the parking lot and ensuring that no digging or construction would take place within the boundaries of the cemetery.

The CPJCE has received personal reassurances from the office of the Prime Minister of Lithuania Mr Algirdas Butkevicius promising full co-operation for any future plans and proposals that it will comply with the conditions and requirements of Jewish law and tradition, to be put forward by the Rabbinical Boards of the CPJCE and Admas Kodesh.

Any reports, rumours and speculation to the contrary, are totally untrue, baseless and unfounded.

Based on the experience and cooperation the CPJCE and Admas Kodesh have had with the Lithuanian Government and the Lithuanian Jewish Community over the past decade, which has further assisted in safeguarding many more Jewish cemeteries and Mass graves in Lithuania, and the establishment of a special Commission by the Government over cemetery issues this May 2015, the CPJCE and Admas Kodesh are confident that this positive attitude and dialogue will continue.

On behalf of world Jewry, the CPJCE and Admas Kodesh expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the Prime Minister of Lithuania and his Government for their continued cooperation and understanding over all issues concerning Jewish Heritage in general, and particular their sensitivity and sincere commitment towards Jewish cemeteries and mass graves.

For further information please contact the CPJCE London office:

Rabbi Abraham Ginsberg

Executive Director

Cellular: + 44 7980 83 00 55

E-Mail: cpjce@btconnect.com

Read the whole PDF document:

CPJCE and ADMAS KODESH PRESS RELEASE REGARDING SNIPISKES CEMETERY (1)