New synagogue inaugurated in Cyprus

The Jewish community in Cyprus and the Rabbis Center for the Department of Support in Europe, have inaugurated a synagogue in the coastal town of Larnaca, that marks a new era for the Jewish people in Cyprus.

During the ceremony, Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yona Metzger, has inducted Rabbi Zeev Raskin as the new Rabbi of the Jewish community in Cyprus.

Present at the inauguration ceremony were among others Cypriot Minister of Education and Culture Pefkios Georgiades, a representative of the Holy Archbischop of Cyprus, of the Larnaca Municipaltiy, as well as Ambassadors or representatives of foreign Embassies to Cyprus from the US, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, the Ukraine, France, Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic.

In statements after the ceremony Minister Georgiades stressed that Cyprus is a country that respects the freedom of religion and he welcomed the opening of the synagogue.

On his part Chief Rabbi Metzger noted that the inauguration of the synagogue marks a historic moment for the Cypriot Jews and expressed his gratitude to Cyprus for being a country that is open to new religions.