Virtual Shtetl reports that there is some movement in longstanding efforts to rescue and restore the tiny wooden synagogue building in Wiśniowa, Poland, with Agnieszka Dudek, the director of the Municipal Center of Culture and Education in Wiśniowa, adding her voice to those who want to save the building.
The synagogue is a simple structure with a gable roof that looks like a house or small barn. It dates from the early 20th century and is one of the few wooden synagogues to have survived World War II. The interior was devastated, and until the 1980s the building was used as a furniture warehouse and even a fire station.
In 1993 the local historic preservation officer included it in the register of monuments and some basic protective works were carried out. It is currently managed by the Wiśniowa municipality, and the building was recently signposted as a former synagogue.
In an article by Tonasz Galek, Virtual Shtetl posted an interview with Dudek, in which she stated that she would “like for the restored synagogue to house a center cultivating the multi-cultural traditions of the inhabitants of our region. It used to be the home of many Jews, Tatars, and Hungarians.” It would include an exhibition on local Jewish history and culture.
First and foremost, we want to protect the building from the approaching winter, since in its current state it would be difficult for the synagogue to survive it. We are currently making inventory which is indispensable to apply for financing of the most pressing repairs.
She said she is preparing an application for financing and hopes to obtain funds from “foundations supporting projects connected to the promotion of Jewish culture and from private sponsors.”
See Facebook page about the synagogue and efforts to save it