European Rabbis Dedicate Oct. 7 Memorial in Portugal Cemetery

A group of 150 rabbis from across Europe and Eretz Yisroel gathered in the Oporto Jewish cemetery in Portugal on Tuesday to dedicate a memorial honoring those murdered on Simchas Torah.

A group of 150 rabbis from across Europe and Eretz Yisroel gathered in the Oporto Jewish cemetery in Portugal on Tuesday to dedicate a memorial honoring those murdered on Simchas Torah.

The solemn event was orchestrated by the combined efforts of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, the European Jewish Association, and the Jewish community of Oporto. Under the guidance of Rabbi Simcha Steinberg from Eindhoven, the assembly paid their respects.

One of the most moving speeches came from Rabbi Netanel Lev, a member of the Lubavitch Rabbinical Committee in Paris, who suffered the loss of his son, Binyamin, in the attack. Rabbi Lev shared, “On that fateful day, my son Binyamin bravely stood in defense of our people. His commitment as an exceptional soldier led him to the Gaza Strip, where he ultimately sacrificed his life for the protection of others.” Rabbi Lev expressed his appreciation for the Oporto community’s commitment to honoring the memory of the fallen soldiers and civilians.

In his address, Rabbi Binyamin Jacobs, shliach and Chief Rabbi of the Netherlands, contended with the harsh realities faced by the Jewish people, commenting on global attitudes towards Israel and the challenge of antisemitism.

Emphasizing the Jewish spirit of perseverance, Rabbi Eli Rosenfeld, shliach in Portugal, affirmed, “Despite the sorrows encountered during Simchat Torah, the Jewish nation will persist and flourish.”

The opening of the new Oporto Jewish cemetery in April 2023 marked a significant moment for the community. Named in honor of R’ Yitzchok Aboab, the final gaon of Castile, the “Field of Equality” represents both remembrance and resurgence.

“Centuries past saw the Jews of Oporto stripped of their possessions and burial grounds. Today, this cemetery symbolizes the vibrant continuity of Jewish life,” stated Rabbi Yoel Zekri of Oporto, underlining the importance of memorializing the October victims as a gesture of respect for the Jewish journey through time.