The historic Jewish cemetery in Ioannina, Greece
suffered serious damage in a severe storm that struck Saturday, Jan. 3.
According to local media reports and representatives of the local Jewish community,
gale force winds uprooted a number of trees, including a tall cypress tree that toppled onto the tahara house
and also damaged the surrounding pavement.
A number of graves, particularly in the oldest section of the cemetery, were also reported to be damaged.
We publish here photos sent by Moses Eliasaf, President of the Jewish Community in Ioannina,
to Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos, museum director at the Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue in New York,
which is spearheading a drive to raise money for repairs (estimated, Marcia says, at more than $50,000).
Kehila Kedosha Janina had already been working to fund-raise to restore the cemetery,
which in 2012 was designated an historical landmark.
The cemetery has suffered several vandal attacks over the years.
As many of you know, a severe storm in the beginning of January severely damaged the Jewish Cemetery of Ioannina.
Trees were uprooted, pathways demolished and many tombstones severely damaged.
Needless to say, the small Jewish community in Ioannina cannot possibly repair the cemetery on their own.
Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue will spearhead a drive to raise money
for repairs(estimated at over $50,000).
This is not the first time we have done this.
For those of you living in the United States, send your checks to
Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue, 280 Broome Street, New York NY 10002.
The Association of Friends of Greek Jewry will absorb the costs of bank transfers
so that every dollar raised will go directly to the Jewish Community of Ioannina.
For those of you outside the United States
who wish to make bank transfers directly to the Jewish Community of Ioannina,
contact us atkehila_kedosha_janina@netzero.net
and we will send you the bank information for the community in Ioannina.
We sincerely thank those who have already given.
Please encourage your family and friends who have not yet given to do so.
Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos
Museum Director
Kehila Kedosha Janina
280 Broome Street
NYC, NY 10002
