RECONSTRUCTED SPLIT SYNAGOGUE OPENED

SPLIT, 11 Sept (Hina) - The Jewish community in Split, which has 200 members, on Wednesday opened its reconstructed synagogue in central Split. The opening ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries, U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Peter Galbraith and Vice President of the U.S. Jewish Organisation 'Joint' and president of the organization's branch office in Canada, Yechiel Bar-cham. The city of Split financed the reconstruction of the synagogue with 40,000 German marks, which is one third of the money provided by 'Joint' as a loan. Split synagogue is the third oldest synagogue in Europe. The synagogue spoke for the city's religious tolerance and cooperation between Christians and Jews throughout history, the president of the Split Jewish community, Edo Trauber said. Although certain prejudices were always present, it was known that the historical injustice even during World War II had been reduced to the smallest possible level. This was confirmed through acknowledgments of many Jews to six citizens of Split, Trauber said. 'Although this meeting was called for a special occasion, we still consider it necessary to express dissatisfaction of the Jewish community with the publishing of the 'Protocol of Zion Wise Men', but we do appreciate the promptness with which President Tudjman's secretary issued a statement saying that the state policy distanced itself from such publications and supported the idea that authors and publishers are the ones to bear responsibility in case the guaranteed freedom of the press is abused', Trauber said among other things. (hina) rm jn 111642 MET sep 96