• Published 00:00 30.04.08
  • Latest update 00:00 30.04.08

Prince Charles and Camilla open Jewish community center in Krakow

The British royals affix a mezuzah to the center's door, tour Krakow's synagogue.

By DPA Tags: Poland

Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, opened a Jewish community center during a visit to Polish city of Krakow Tuesday, the Polish news agency PAP reported.

Holocaust survivors and Poland's Chief Rabbi, Michael Shudrich, took part in the opening ceremony for the center, located in the Kazimierz district, which serves as a gathering place for Jewish immigrants to the city since the 15th century.

The heir to the British throne affixed a mezuzah, a case containing a piece of parchment with an inscription from the Torah, to the door of the building.

Prince Charles became patron of the community center project after visiting Poland in 2002.

It was funded by donations raised by the charity World Jewish Relief (WJR), which is based in London and helps Jewish communities around the world.

The charity, which was founded in 1933, is credited with helping 10,000 Jewish children escape from the Nazis.

The prince and Camilla also toured the city's synagogue and were due to visit Wawel Castle during the one-day visit.

Krakow's Kazimierz district was a flourish centre of Jewish life in the city for centuries. Most of Krakow's Jews were murdered by the Nazis during World War II.

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