[YWN VIDEO & PHOTO LINK BELOW] Brooklyn, NY – Thousands filled the Marriott Grand Ballroom Tuesday night, to decry the desecration of ancient Jewish cemeteries in Spain. The Mass conference was called, after the Spanish government turned a deaf ear to pleas by Asra Kadisha and notable Askunim and Rabunim to halt the desecration of the ancient Jewish cemetery in Spain.

The mission to save the Toledo Jewish cemetery started in October, when Asra Kadisha learned of a school expansion on the cemetery grounds. Among the RISHONIM buried in Toledo are the ROS, RMAH and the Rabieni Yonah. The precise plots where they are buried is unknown, since all gravestones were removed centuries ago.

After diplomatic efforts, the authorities halted the excavation for a while, and a delegation comprised by Asra Kadisha Askunim and Rabbi David Niederman met the officials in Spain to personally intervene for the preservation of the cemetery. Despite promises to stop the destruction, it later resumed. This is already at-least the third place in Spain where they are excavating cemeteries of the pre-expulsion era, ignoring the pleas of the Askunin not to desecrate these holy places. If these incidents will pass by unchallenged and without our outcry, this will serve as a sign for the authorities that the Jewish cemeteries can be easily excavated.

The conference was called by Some 20 leading Rabbis and Rosh Yeshiva – including Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburgh and his Beth Din, Skulener Rebbe, Gav”d Eidah Hachareidus Yerushalayim, Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva Harav Kotler, Bobuver (52) Rav, and Karlsburger Rav – to show the Spanish Government that Jews around the world are aware of their behavior towards our holy sites, and to demand the immediate return of the exhumed bodies for respectful re-interment according to the Halachah.

Among the speakers were: Harav Kalmonowitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Mir; Harav Tirnauer, Dayan and Rosh Yeshiva of Satmar Montreall, Canada; Harav Weinberger, Dayan Skulen, who spoke on behalf and relayed the words of his father in-law, the Skulener Rebbe; the Spinker Rebbe; Haarav Mordche Beck, Rosh Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe in Monsey, Harav Soloveitchik,  Rosh HaKolel Beth Yakov, Flatbush

Some notable Askunim also addressed the crowd, including Mr. Richard Altabe, principal Yeshiva Maged David, Flatbush, who gave an emotional testimonial of the destruction of a cemetery that he saw, and the work of Asra Kadisha that he is involved with; Dr. Bernard Fryshman, Conference of Academicians for the Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries; Rabbi Stern, of Asra Kadisha NY, and Rabbi Niederman, President UJO, who both visited Spain in the beginning of last winter to plea for the preservation of the Toledo cemetery.

The, Marriott Hotel’s grand ballroom, with seating room only, was quickly overloaded by thousands of people. Police closed the entrance, due to the overcrowding, and thousands waited outside anxiously to get a chance to enter the building .

The huge Tzibur ­- that was covered by a Spanish Newswire – EFE – demonstrated to the authorities that Klal Yisroel cares for our Botei Chayim, and it will hopefully bring an end to the ongoing desecration of cemeteries in Spain.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for a video, & click HERE for photos.