Jewish Heritage Europe

Lithuania [UPDATED]: Jewish community closed Vilnius Synagogue for 2 days citing security concerns following removal of plaque honoring anti-Soviet hero who also was Holocaust collaborator

Citing security threats, the Lithuanian Jewish Community (LJC)  on August 6 ordered the closure of the Vilnius Choral Synagogue and the Jewish community offices. The closure prompted criticism from within the Jewish community, and the buildings were reopened two days … continue reading →

Ukraine: Memorial concert for the author Joseph Roth is held at the hulking ruins of the synagogue in Brody, Ukraine — the town he was born in 125 years ago. Centerpiece is Leonard Bernstein’s “Kaddish”

The hulking, tragic ruins of the synagogue in Brody, Ukraine were the backdrop for a memorial symphonic concert honoring the great Jewish writer Joseph Roth, who was born in Brody 125 years ago (when it was at the eastern edge … continue reading →

UK: Bones reburied in Oxford bear witness to medieval Jewish cemetery; archaeological analysis of 800-year-old “kosher” garbage pinpoints medieval Jewish presence

Three years ago archaeologists excavating at Magdalen College in Oxford uncovered some “very broken up” human skeletal remains. The bones had been found at or near what was believed to be the location of first medieval Jewish cemetery in Oxford, … continue reading →

CZ-PL: Just weeks after ambitious EU-funded revitalization of Jewish cemeteries in Osoblaha, CZ and Biała, PL, vandals cause minor damage to 6 gravestones in Osoblaha

We had planned to write about an ambitious, recently carried out EU-funded cross-border project focused on revitalizing the related — and historic — Jewish cemeteries in Osoblaha, Czech Republic and nearby Biała, Poland,  but unfortunately we also have to note … continue reading →