The Conference of European Rabbis convention in Toulouse drew to a close today (Thursday), with an emotional memorial ceremony at the school where four members of the local Jewish community were murdered three years ago.

A touching ceremony saw addresses from the Rabbi of the school, Rabbi Yaacov Monsenego and Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef the Chief Rabbi of Israel. At the conclusion of the ceremony the names of those who were killed were recited in an emotional memorial prayer.

Reflecting on the ceremony Chief Rabbi Goldschmidt, President of the CER said: “Three years ago, in this school, Jews were killed only because they were Jewish. We are here in this town and in this school to honour their memory. This was not just an attack on the Jewish community of Toulouse but an attack on world Jewry.”

“Two hundred rabbis from across the world shows that our community is united in our desire to continue to live in an inclusive and free Europe.”

The Chief Rabbi of Israel in his address paid tribute to the town of Toulouse and it’s Rabbi and expressed his wishes that the Jewish community of the town should continue to rebuild from the tragic attack.

The convention has seen 200 Rabbis come together from across Europe, Israel and America to discuss the issue including the use of technology in Jewish law and the continuation of European Jewry. Earlier in the week CER’s fight against antisemitism had received support from the European Parliament and Commission.

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