Since we reported last week on the transformation of the rundown and disused Chewra Thilim Beit Midrash in Krakow into a late-night music club, the situation has prompted coverage in the Polish, Jewish and Israeli media — and also prompted protest, including a Facebook page.
The situation has clearly touched a nerve — and has been spotlighted further by photos of the opening night of the club, called Mezcal, where party-goers can be seen enjoying drinks at a bar installed in front of unprotected frescoes (which were discovered in 2008).
As follow-up to our post last week, which in fact was the first to discuss the issue internationally, we present here links to the main (so far) articles. They all bring out issues and dilemmas that were discussed at the conference on Managing Jewish Immovable Heritage held in Krakow in April — and also which have long been a key focus of Jewish heritage preservation strategy.
As the Bratislava Statement put it:
The ongoing struggle for property and resource restitution has often overshadowed the practical issues of how to manage community properties already held, or those returned.
Proper care of these properties; often involving substantial costs, difficult planning and use issues, and demanding historical and architectural preservation concerns, have preoccupied many Jewish communities for years. In many cases, and especially for smaller Communities, the needs of these properties continue to stretch professional and financial resources. Everyday community needs often delay or prevent the attention that properties require. […]
Synagogues and former synagogues should retain a Jewish identity and or use whenever possible, though each one does not necessarily need to be restored or fully renovated.
Former synagogues, no matter what their present ownership or use, should be sensitively marked to identify their past history.
As part of the effort to restitute communal and religious property, when a property of historic value – such as a synagogue – in disrepair or otherwise in a ruined condition (while in the government’s possession) is returned, States should help either by modifying laws which impose penalties for not maintaining properties in reasonable condition, or by providing financial and material assistance to undertake necessary repairs and restoration.
Links to articles:
Tablet Magazine: Historic Krakow Jewish Site Becomes a Nightclub
Tensions are high in Krakow’s Jewish community after a new nightclub opened this past weekend—in a 19th century Jewish house of study.
The Forward’s Arty Semite Blog: Krakow Synagogue Now Mezcal” Nightclub
To the dismay of guardians of Jewish heritage in Poland, a former Krakow beit midrash, or Jewish house of prayer and study, reopened as a disco this past weekend.
The Yeshivah World: Ancient Krakow Shul Transformed to a Disco
The 19th Century Chevras Tehillim Shul in Krakow has been rented out and is now being used as a disco. Chabad Shaliach Rabbi Eliezer Gur Aryeh is quoted by the daily HaMevaser lamenting the “major mistake” by those involved in the decision to rent out the shul to be used in such a fashion.
Jerusalem Post: Krakow Jewish Seek to Make Ends Meet
Community draws criticism for renting out historic beit midrash to owners of new nightclub.
Jewish Telegraphic Agency JTA: Disco opening at former Jewish learning center stirs controversy
The opening of a music club and disco in a 19th century Jewish learning center in Krakow is sparking controversy.
Polish Radio English Service: Protest after Krakow synagogue turned into nightclub