Bucharest, October 26, 2010          

PRESS RELEASE

       THE REdedicaTION OF the vandalized monuments ThAT HAVE BEEN       

     RESTORED AT the Jewish Cemetery at 162 Giurgiului ROAD,

Through the generous support of:

U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s

 Heritage Abroad

The Federation of the Jewish Communities of Romania (FEDROM) is honored to announce the completion of the restoration of 131 gravestones at the Jewish cemetery located in Bucharest, at 162 Giurgiului Road. The monuments and graves were destroyed or desecrated by vandals on October 22, 2008, on the sacred Jewish holy day of Simchat Torah.

Restoration was carried out with direct support of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, an agency of the Government of the United States of America, which provided $46,000 to the FEDROM out of the $53,000 cost of the project.

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FEDROM and the U.S. Commission strongly believe that the restoration is an argument against intolerance and enmity among people.

The assistance granted by the U.S. Government is a gesture of human solidarity, promotion of understanding and mutual respect between people of different ethnic or religious backgrounds.

                                 
The restoration of the vandalized gravestones preserves a valuable part of Romania’s Jewish heritage, as a part of the national and world patrimony.

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THE REDEDICATION OFFICIAL CEREMONY will take place on November the 1st, 2010 

We are expressing sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, for the generous grant, and, especially to its Member, the Honorable Lawrence (Larry) Steinberg, who personally contributed $35,000, making the restoration possible.

Dr.  AUREL  VAINER

FEDROM  PRESIDENT