Rededication of Jewish Burial Plot in Praia – May 2013 | Cape Verde Jewish Heritage Project, Inc.

Rededication of Jewish Burial Plot in Praia, May 2013

In May 2013, CVJHP led a small international delegation to Praia to re-dedicate the restoration of the Jewish burial plot inside the Christian cemetery in Varzea in the capital Praia. The memorandum of understanding (protocolo) signed in 2009 between CVJHP and the Praia City Hall (Camara Municipal da Praia) paved the way for this moving event. The local municipalities throughout the archipelago are directly responsible for the maintenance and preservation of the Jewish cemeteries. Among the members of the international delegation were Rabbi Eliezer Shai Di Martino from the Jewish community of Lisbon; John C. Wahnon, CVJHP Vice President; Nuno Wahnon Martins, advisory board member; Shephard Wahnon, descendant from New York; Marc Avissar, Moroccan-Israeli businessman from Washington, DC; Alma Gottlieb, professor of cultural anthropology; H.E. Abelilah Boutadghart, Deputy Chief of Mission of Moroccan Embassy in Dakar (standing in for H.E. Andre Azoulay, Counsellor of H.M. King Mohammed VI). Numerous descendants and many dignitaries, including the US, Portuguese and French Ambassadors, attended the ceremony. See our publications page for articles about the event.

H.E. Abdelilah Boutadghart addressing attendees on behalf of H.E. Andre Azoulay, CVJHP advisory board member and Counsellor to H.M. King Mohammed VI
Former Mayor of Praia, now Prime Minister of Cape Verde, H.E. Ulisses Correia e Silva, speaking at May 2013 Re-dedication Ceremony
Jewish burial plot in Varzea cemetery, Praia, AFTER restoration
H.E. Ulisses Correia e Silva and H.E. Abdelilah Boutadghart, Deputy Chief of Mission, Moroccan Embassy in Dakar
Rabbi Eliezer Shai Di Martino from Lisbon addressing attendees and chanting prayers for the deceased
H.E. Ulisses Correia e Silva accepts a plaque of appreciation from CVJHP at Reception
View of restored burial plot in Varzea. (Additional signage was added in 2024.)
Re-dedication plaque 2013 (In 2024, it was placed on a sturdier stand near the entrance.)
H.E. Ulisses Correia e Silva and Carol Castiel at re-dedication Ceremony
Group photo of descendants and CVJHP delegation
Reception at CMP (Praia City Hall) after Re-dedication Ceremony
Adilson Varela (Benchimol family), former PM Carlos Wahnon Veiga (center), Januario Auday Nascimento, CVJHP advisory board member, Olimpio Varela
Carol Castiel and former Mayor of Praia, now Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva, after signing an MOU between CVJHP and Praia City Hall (CMP) June 2009
Jewish burial plot in Varzea cemetery, Praia, BEFORE restoration