Premium
President Klaus Iohannis on Monday sent a message occasioned by the reopening of the Great Synagogue of Iasi and the lighting of the second candle on Hanukkah.
"On the reopening of the Great Synagogue of Iasi, I want to send my warm greetings and congratulate you on the Synagogue becoming again, through the city officials' and believers' efforts, a living sanctuary of worship, a landmark of the spiritual and cultural life of the city. The reopening is symbolically carried out at the start of Hanukkah, called the feast of ?inauguration' and ?light' in the Jewish tradition. May the celebration dedicated to the Great Synagogue and the Jewish community of Iasi strengthen you in faith and carry on the light of hope in a better future, under the sign of peace and solidarity," President Iohannis said in a message delivered by presidential adviser Sergiu Nistor.
Iohannis underscored in his message that the Great Synagogue has a history that intermingle with that of Iasi and the Jewish community, which was "a sacred temple and refuge in difficult times."
"The reopening of the oldest Judaic worship centre in Romania represents, in the year when we celebrate together the Greater Union Centennial, a gesture of respect for the memory of those who sacrificed for faith and freedom. It is also a tribute to the Jewish figures who supported the Union of 1918 at international level, thus, contributing substantially to the modernisation and progress of Romania, proving their loyalty to the country and their belief in its historic destiny, " Iohannis said.
He added that he is pleased that the Federation of Romania's Jewish Communities constantly supports the restoration of and capitalisation on the synagogues of Romania.
"They give a beautiful expression to the values that I also support and defend, together with you: knowledge, dialogue and tolerance. 'Hag Hanukkah Sameah!".
AGERPRES .
