Izkor Association
From the end of 1980's, with the opening of the gates of the Soviet Union, during the era of liberal rule of Mikhail Gorbachev, the immigration from the former USSR rose. After 2000 years of exile, we dispersed all over the world and many chose to live in our home - the land of Israel. Today, after twenty years, still not everyone has the ability to visit the graves of their ancestors who remained in their country of origin.Throughout the year Jewish cemeteries are desolate and lonely with the relatives of those buried there living abroad. The organization aims work to for the blessing of conservation of memory of Heritage of Mountain Jews .
Izkor have some projects ,one of them is Jews cemeteries. Most of the Jewish graves are not maintained properly and some not at all. Time and weather damage is clearly visible on the stones,including cracks and fractures in the floor of the plot, and the general condition of the tomb.
The "Izkor" Association takes on the task of maintenance and professional interest in Jewish graves in order to maintain the dignity of the deceased and the responsibility to do things according to Jewish law and customs. The absence of relatives gives the appearance of abandonment in cemeteries.Every year the situation is deteriorating, and if things continue in this way, it is likely that in a few years there will be new buildings, or a road passing through the graveyards. Constant presence, caring and order will help to prevent this.
Jews and Judaism in Azerbaijan:
It is an ancient Jewish community which was established in the mountains of the Caucasus in region of Azerbaijan of modern days. The community probably already existed in the Middle Ages or earlier, as part of the Babylonian exile or the dispersion of Jews throughout the Persian Empire.They existed for many years, without outside contact, the community's relationships limited to those with other communities in the Caucasus. After the occupation of Azerbaijan by the Soviet Union they also maintained contact with the various communities of the Soviet Union. Jews of Azerbaijan included the Jews of the mountains and this is one of their main concentrations. Most of the community immigrated to Israel in the 1990's,with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The most significant Jewish community after the town of Baku is Cuba where about 4,500 Jews live.In Cuba the Jews have a special district, which is separated from the Muslim part of town by the river. In the past 15,000 Jews lived in Cuba where there were 17 synagogues,but in 1938, Stalin, the ruler of the Soviet Union, carried out a massacre against the Jews of Cuba, and closed all the synagogues in town but one, which is still active today. Because the Jews in Cuba preserve a separate and independent Jewish residential area, some refer Cuba to as a remnant of hundreds Jewish towns,that existed in Europe in Asia and North Africa until the Holocaust. Now there is a Jewish Study Center in the small town where there are emissaries from the Bnei Akiva movement and Chabad.
