A special ZAKA delegation, consisting of members of the International Brigade and the Special Missions Unit, set out today (Monday) for Romania in a complex and unprecedented operation to save the Jewish cemetery in the city of Iasi, Romania.
The operation began after human bones, complete skeletons, and remains of Jewish tombstones were discovered during work to establish a public park on an area of dozens of dunams, which was expropriated from the Jewish cemetery.
Although at the time of the expropriation, the authorities claimed that the graves had been moved to another location, the findings discovered in the field indicate that many of them remained in place.
At the request of the Chief Rabbi of Romania, Rabbi Rafael Shefer, Rabbi of the city of Iasi, and with the efforts of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania, the work was halted until the arrival of the ZAKA expert delegation, which will work to locate all the findings and bring them to the Tomb of Israel according to Halacha.
Over the next few days, ZAKA personnel will operate in an area spanning approximately 50 dunams, with the assistance of local authorities, archaeologists, dozens of workers and engineering tools, with the aim of locating, collecting and bringing the bones of the deceased for respectful burial.
Director of the International Division at ZAKA, Baruch Nidam: “These are huge quantities of human bones scattered underground and throughout the area. According to the initial findings, complete skeletons were also found. Each find will be treated with sensitivity and respect, in accordance with the instructions of the ZAKA Rabbi, Rabbi Yaakov Roja, and in full cooperation with the rabbi of Romania.”
Rabbi Simcha Yaffe, a member of the ZAKA delegation and responsible for the halakhic aspects of the operation, said: “This is a very complex operation from a halakhic perspective. During the work, many questions arise, and we are in constant contact with the ZAKA Rabbi, Rabbi Yaakov Roza, with every action in the field being carried out solely according to his decision and instructions, to ensure that every object and every find will receive the due respect and be brought to the Jewish grave in accordance with halakhic law.”
Eran Kozhi, commander of the Special Missions Unit at ZAKA: “The members of the Special Missions Unit have gained extensive experience in locating, extracting, and collecting artifacts in Israel and around the world. For us, too, this is one of the most complex and sensitive operations we have carried out. We will use in the field all the operational capabilities, knowledge, and experience we have accumulated over the years, to restore the dignity of the deceased and bring them to the Jewish grave.”
ZAKA CEO, Zvi Hasid: “This is an unprecedented operation in its scope and complexity. ZAKA is the only organization in the world that possesses the knowledge, operational experience, and halakhic framework required to carry out operations of this type - from locating the remains of centuries-old graves, through collecting the bones, to bringing them for reburial according to halakhic law. Over the years, ZAKA volunteers have carried out similar operations in various countries around the world, under the halakhic direction of the organization's rabbi, Rabbi Yaakov Roja. Wherever Jews need our help to preserve the dignity of the dead and bring them to a Jewish grave - ZAKA members will be there.”
ZAK notes that the operation is taking place in full cooperation with the authorities and the Jewish Federation in Romania, who have provided all the resources required for the mission, out of an understanding of the historical, halakhic, and human importance of restoring the dignity of the deceased.
