The Jewish community in Szombathely, Hungary, has opened a small new Jewish history museum and Jewish visitors’ center.
An article in the local media said that the museum, opened during the annual ceremonies marking the city’s Holocaust memorial day July 7, features exhibits on the Shoah as well as other material aimed at “all those who are interested in the history and rich tradition of the Jews of Szombathely.” It features ritual objects and historical information. Among the exhibits is an installation recreating a typical Jewish family’s living from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, arrayed as if on the eve of Shabbat.
Of the 4228 Szombathely Jews deported to Auschwitz July 3-4 1944, only 400 survived.
The article quotes Jewish community leader Alexander Marcus as saying that the opening of the museum “is another step in opening up to the city to let non-Jews as well see what it was and what it is today to be a Jew.”
Szombathely, in western Hungary, has a grandiose Moorish-style synagogue, built in 1880 and desgiend by Ludwig Schone, that has long been used as a concert hall.. The synagogue preserves two large, dome-topped towers and a lavishly decorated exterior. A Holocaust memorial stands next to it
The Jewish community maintains a small prayer house and cultural center next door.
14 comments on “Jewish museum and visitor center opens in Szombathely, Hungary”
My father, born in Rajgrod in 1891, trained as a Cantor in Czestochova (Poland) and had his 1st position as a Cantor at the age of 19 in the Synagogue in Szombathely. I have his CV written in Hungarian. My father’s name was Rev. Morris, however the family name was originally Katinski
Barbara Silverstone
Hello,
I’m currently trying to research a family from Szombathely who died in Auschwitz.
Any information about them, or advice on where to look would be greatly appreciated. Their names were
Béla Wolstein born in Beledd in 1904
Jolán Wolstein (nee Schwarz) born in Sarvar in 1907
Erwin Wolstein born in Szombathely
Izidor Wolstein born in Szombathely
Judit Wolstein born in Szombathely
Noémi Wolstein born in Szombathely
Thankyou.
I am looking for list of orthodox rabbis in this town from 1939 to 1945. Thank you. Cordially, Elaine Miller
i would like any information about my family, the Lowingers. The were deported to Auschwitz. The only one to return was my father, Ernest, who had been sent to Bergen Belsen.
Any information would be appreciated.
Hello Kathy,
My great-grandmother was born Maria Löwinger in Szombathely and her gravestone is still there. She died before the war but her daughter Maria and granddaughter Erna, surname Pollak, died in Auschwitz. Did your father ever mention a Maria?
Best regards,
Odile Frank
This is a correction to the preceding comment. I am now in Szombathely and found Maria Löwinger’s tomb. Her daughter was in fact named Rosa (not Maria) and both Rosa and Erna did indeed die in Auschwitz. I do not know their last name, however. Rosa was born Pollak, but I don’t know her husband’s name. I am still looking.
Kathy, if you are still checking this site, do you have any information on other Löwingers (or Lövingers)? Did your father Ernest have a Maria in his family? There are a number of other tombs with the name. Also, Berta Löwinger’s name is on the Holocaust memorial stones.
If I find more information I will add it later.
Best regards,
Odile Frank
If we come to Szembothely to look for a grave do you have records to find it?
I had an aunt Politzer Erna and uncle Dr Politzer Arnold living in Szombathely and I believe they (she) died in early 50’s. My father Politzer Arthur went to Real gymnasium there in approx 1914-1921? I am trying to find out about their background. I would appreciate some leads to info.
Hi Angela, did you find out anything about Erna Politzer? I did a DNA test with Ancestry.com and found a gentleman whose mother was Erna Politzer.
I have a family member buried in the graveyard of the Synagogue. His name is George Nauke / Gyorgy Neuke. His sister Violet Nauke is still alive at age 93. She and I would like to restore his grave stone to the original condition. We have photos of it from 1923. Can you give me a contact person for this cemetery that speaks English. We would also like to learn more about the familythat is from Szombathely. Is there a contact person that can look up our family? The mother of Violet and George was Malvine Frankl born 12 Febuary 1893 in Szombathely. The father of Malvine was Sigmund Frankl and her mother was Rosina Shultz. We are also interested in the family Angelus. We would like to know if they were related to the Frankl or Schultz families? The person of interest is Irene Angelus born 16 July 1887 in Szombathely. Her father was Alexander Angelus Born around 1850 in Szombathely and her mother was Frances Konecy. I have more family information that I can send you if you send me an email address. Thank you for any help you can give. It would give Violet Nauke peace before she dies. – Daniel Nauke
Dear Mr. Nauke —
Please follow the link on the news item. The Szombathely Jewish community web site has an English language section.
I am trying to locate the children/ grandchildren of my great aunt who lived in Szombathely prior to WWII. My Grandfather Friedrich Karpfen had a twin sister called Angela Karpfen. She married ? Elek and had 3 children: Tibor (killed in Hungarian Labour Battalion), Magda and Otto. Otto went to Australia, where he died several years ago, but Magda may have married and may still live or have children in Szombathely. Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
if you look at this website http://www.oroklet.hu/bent.php , you will find karpfens in the budapest cemetery; (none seemed to show up in the szombathely cemetery). Perhaps you may want to start in budapest, to see if there’s any connection. If you know of any other names related to the karpfen family, perhaps you can look them up at this website mentioned above. good luck.
if you look at this website http://www.oroklet.hu/bent.php , you will find karpfens in the budapest cemetery; (none seemed to show up in the szombathely cemetery). Perhaps you may want to start in budapest, to see if there’s any connection. If you know of any other names related to the karpfen family, perhaps you can look them up at this website mentioned above. good luck.
You can also look on that site by going to this link http://www.oroklet.hu/bent.php?nyelv=1&igy=&kmod=2&tkod=&parcella=&sor=&sir=&szuletes=&elhalaloza=&nev=&prefix=&gmail=szenczins&gnev=&glakhely=&gid= and it will allow you to search for all names in all cemeteries.