“Someone entered shul in the middle of davening and told us of the tragedy, the crash involving the president’s plane. We were all in shock. Some began crying. An atmosphere of mourning permeated throughout the shul” explained Rabbi Eliezer Guraryeh, Chabad shaliach in Krakow.

President Lech Kaczynski maintained good relations with Poland’s Jewish community explained the rav, who expressed his sorrow over hearing of the tragic incident that claimed at least 97 lives, including the president and his wife.

He explained that following the news, one community leader did not hesitate to announce that festive events should be suspended during the coming weeks, seeking to exhibit the feelings of pain over the loss felt by the local Jewish community.

President Shimon Peres stated the president will be remembered as one of Israel’s best friends among the European community, explaining the late president and his wife worked to improve relations between Poland and Israel.

In an act to honor the memories of the victims of the crash, black ribbons will be attached to Israeli flags at the March of the Living March at Auschwitz, announced Aaron Tamir, the program’s director.

Tamir stated he personally met with the late president many times, calling him a “true friend of the march”. Tamir announced the march will go on as planned as thousands of Israelis are in Poland ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

During a ceremony in Krakow honoring Righteous Gentiles, Science Minister Rabbi Dr. Daniel Hershkowitz stated while today we cannot compare to the era of the Holocaust, the late Polish president will indeed be remembered as a “Righteous Gentile”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)