Dozens of Jewish tombstones found in military barracks in Chernivtsi
According to RISU journalist Natalia Feschuk, in Sadhory, a distant district of Chernivtsi, a military unit that has not been operational since 2003 is being restored. And during the repair works, Jewish tombstones were discovered. This part of the military unit was built in the present Alexandra Street in the late 19th century by Austrians. The building is well-preserved, but is in bad condition.
In the city of Chernivtsi, in Sadhory, the famous Sadhory synagogue, the residence of the local world-known tsadik is now being restored. The Tomb of the Tsadik (or the Tomb) in the local Jewish cemetery is the site of the Hasidic pilgrimage from around the world.
There are several barracks in the military part of the Soviet era,” says Michael Kreis, a representative of the Jewish community. “And when the floor was broken off in these barracks, they saw these tombstones underneath, they were used to lay the floor surface well.
The tombstones are 150. They are preserved in different ways: some remained intact, some are broken. On the Jewish cemetery in Sadhory, in the middle of it, it is clear that there are not enough gravestones there. When I was giving tours for tourists, I always mentioned it and added that a time would come and they would be brought back here. So it happened. One of the military reported the discovery to the cemetery guard. The latter then told it to Rabbi Menahem Mendel Glitsenstein. We rented a car and brought the items stolen from the cemetery back into place. So far, the tombstones are on the side of the cemetery. And then we will think that perhaps they will stand in one place as a monument. On some tombstones there are inscriptions, after which one can follow the lives of the then Sadhory Jews.
After returning of the rabbi from a foreign mission, they plan to tell all the details and show them to the journalists.
Apart from the pilgrims to the tomb of Tsadik, there is practically nobody visiting the Sadhory Jewish cemetery... In order to protect the place of this pilgrimage, in the middle of the 90s of the last century the grave was lined up and a small building was erected. And now without the guards who have the keys to it, one cannot get i here. There are shops around the huge tombs where Jews can pray. And on the left, in a special wall, they put notes with requests and wishes.
