Shorts: World

Auschwitz survivor dies on camp return

berlin (jta) | A former prisoner at Auschwitz died last week on a "Train of Remembrance" meant to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the first transport to the infamous death camp.

Ludwik Wrona, 84, was imprisoned in Auschwitz on the day it opened in June 1940 and was given the number 457. The Train of Remembrance was carrying several Auschwitz survivors and their families, along with students from a high school in the Polish city of Tarnow.

The ride was organized by the Christian Association for Families of Oswiecim, the Polish name for Auschwitz. The Polish Press Agency reported that Wrona was overcome by the emotion of the trip, and died on the train.




Vandals strike Budapest cemetery

budapest (jta) | More than 100 graves were vandalized in Budapest's main Jewish cemetery.

It's not clear when the act of vandalism took place, as the cemetery was closed to visitors most of last week. The Budapest Police Department is investigating the incident. Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, among others, condemned the destruction of the graves.

"This type of action that so afflicts human dignity has no precedent in our 15 years of democracy," Orban told the Hungarian Telegraphic Agency.




'Sir Jonathan' leads U.K. Jewry

london (jta) | Britain's chief rabbi was knighted.

Queen Elizabeth, marking her 79th birthday, bestowed the vaunted "sir" title on Rabbi Jonathan Sacks this week in recognition of his services to the Jewish community and interfaith relations.

"This is an honor not just for me but for the Jewish community and its contributions to British life, as well as for the continuing inspiration of Jewish teachings," Sacks, who has served as chief rabbi since 1991, said in a statement. "I hope it encourages further progress in good relations between the faiths."




Jewish-Muslim 'Tour de France' trip planned

paris (jta) | Jewish and Muslim youths will make a tour of France to encourage dialogue between the two communities.

The French Association for Jewish-Muslim Friendship announced this week that it will hold a "Friendship Tour de France" from June 19 to July 24, during which young Jews and Muslims will travel by double-decker bus in the tracks of the cycling Tour de France. Leaving from Paris, the group will visit approximately 20 cities.