Jewish Heritage Europe

Russia: New near replica synagogue in Kaliningrad/Königsberg now stands on site of synagogue destroyed on Kristallnacht

  Exactly 80 years after the grandiose New Synagogue in Kaliningrad, Russia — formerly Königsberg, East Prussia — was destroyed on Kristallnacht, a newly constructed near replica of the great domed building was dedicated on the same spot where the … continue reading →

Vanished World 2019 Calendar available for download

The Vanished World 2019 calendar is now available for free download. Each year the German photographer Christian Herrmann, who documents abandoned Jewish heritage sites in Eastern Europe, creates a calendar from a selection of his images and offers it as … continue reading →

Hungary: Scaffolding down at Rumbach st. synagogue; restoration progressing on synagogue and complex, to be a multi-function cultural center

  The scaffolding is down from the Moorish-style Rumbach St. synagogue in Budapest, and work is rapidly progressing on its restoration, including the conversion of its building complex into a multi-purpose arts, culture, and education center that is slated to … continue reading →

Jewish cemeteries in Ukraine: preliminary report on field research 2016-2018

  A report — Jewish cemeteries of Ukraine: preliminary results of studies for 2016–2018 —  summarizes the size and status of dozens of Jewish cemeteries and mass graves in Ukraine. The report, published on by the umbrella Vaad Association of … continue reading →

Book Review: Learning about Jewish Life (and Lives) from Jewish cemeteries. Review essay of Rudolf Klein’s new book

  Jewish cemeteries are often called Houses of the Living, and for good reason. The epitaphs and grave markers — be they simple matzevot or grand mausolea — represent, and tell the stories of, the people they memorialize. They speak … continue reading →