A group of 40 Jewish educators from across Europe explored the possibilities of using a resource they might not have considered before — Jewish cemeteries.

The London-based Foundation for Jewish Heritage jointly ran the EU-backed programme which took place in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Michael Mail, chief executive of the foundation, said, “The vast majority of Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe are orphaned, so are not looked after by a local Jewish community and many are in serious disrepair or indeed unrecognisable due to utter neglect and past vandalism.”

The seminar’s objective, he said, was “not only to ensure these cemeteries are recognised and protected, but to understand that they can serve a vital educational purpose introducing local students to the Jewish history in their town which is often completely forgotten. 

“By presenting the Jewish story we can also talk about the historic diversity of European society and promote cross-cultural understanding, while combatting ignorance and prejudice.”

One teacher from Sambir in Ukraine spoke about living in a town which she believed had never had a Jewish community, until she found out while doing research that on the eve of the Second World War 80 per cent of its population had been Jewish.

The event was run with the European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative, the Jewish historical institute, Centropa and history teachers’ association, Euroclio.