Jewish Heritage Europe

The Venice Ghetto in Visual (and Architectural) Terms

The Ghetto of Venice received much attention in 2016, through a series of events that marked the 500th anniversary of its inception, in 1516. We’d like to draw attention to a recent book by Reed College Professor Dana E. Katz, … continue reading →

Slovakia: New Bratislava exhibit honors Slovak Jewish Heritage pioneer Eugen Bárkány

The Bratislava Jewish Community Museum opened its 2018 season with a special exhibit honoring Eugen Bárkány, a pioneer in the preservation, documentation, and display of Jewish heritage in Slovakia. Bárkány (1885-1967) was an engineer and building contractor from Prešov, in … continue reading →

Hungary: the sculptural Jewish tombs by famed architect Béla Lajta

Kerepesi (Salgotarjani street) Jewish cemetery, Budapest. Guttmann family tomb designed by Bela Lajta

An article in Apollo international art magazine highlights the work of the late 19th-early 20th century Hungarian Jewish architect Bela Lajta — including the remarkable sculptural tombs he designed in Budapest’s Jewish cemeteries. Writes Edward Heathcote: Lajta’s mausoleums in the … continue reading →

Shavuot — images of the 10 Commandments to mark the holiday

The festival of Shavuot, which begins Saturday night, marks the reception of the Torah — and Ten Commandments — at Mt. Sinai. Jews traditionally go to synagogue on Shavuot to hear the Ten Commandments read out: 1. I am the Lord … continue reading →