Czech Republic: renovated Brno synagogue reopens & gets a new Torah

The modernist-functionalist Agudas Achim synagogue on Skořepka street in Brno, Czech Republic, has reopened after a renovation — and as part of the ceremony received a newly written Torah scroll.

The renovation was in part funded with a €204,409 grant from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway. The synagogue will continue to serve the local Jewish community but will also serve the public as a cultural space for concerts, exhibits, etc.

Constructed  in 1934-36 and designed by Otto Eisler, the synagogue was built by the Agudas Achim Community from donations of Galician Jews who had found refuge in Brno after World War I. Used as a warehouse during World War II, it was reconsecrated after the war and is the only surviving synagogue in Brno, the Czech Republic’s second largest city. It is also the only synagogue holding regular services in the eastern part of the country.

Object of the renovation, according to the grant description, was “to return the interior into its original condition.”

The key activity will be making of replicas of the mobiliary (especially the pews) according to the archived pictures. As regards the preserved objects (lecterns and tables) these will be restored, as well as the floor. Another key component of the project is equipment of the synagogue with objects of worship and other mobiliary now missing (esp. Torah and sacral textiles). These objects will be made according to the standard necessary for worshipping. The objective is not just renovation of the synagogue itself as a cultural heritage of major importance. The project also aims at opening the synagogue for general public. 

 

According to the Brno Jewish Community web site, the restoration team used old photographs and other documents on which to model copies of the original lighting fixtures. They also constructed new benches and restored the original painting. The artist Mark Podwal was commissioned to design new textiles for the sanctuary, including the parochet.