Jewish Heritage Europe

Kristallnacht anniversary 2025: countering destruction with images of wonderful surviving — and restored — synagogues

Tje ark, topped by a crown. Restored synagogue in Budyně nad Ohří, Czech Republic

The  night of November 9-10 marks the 87th anniversary of the so-called Kristallnacht pogrom — Reichspogromnacht — in 1938, when the Nazis launched coordinated violent attacks on Jews, Jewish property and Jewish places of worship all over Germany and German-occupied … continue reading →

Latvia: Mazel tov to Margers Vestermanis, founder of the Jews of Latvia Museum, who has received a high Latvian honor and celebrated his 100th birthday

Mazel tov to the historian Margers Vestermanis, the founder and long-term former  director of the “Jews in Latvia” museum, who has received one of Latvia’s highest honors, the Cabinet of Ministers Award. The award has a special significance, as Vestermanis, … continue reading →

Italy: The Jewish cemetery in Pesaro is to reopen to the public following restoration and stabilization work. It was closed 2 years ago for safety reasons

The historic Jewish cemetery in Pesaro, Italy,  will reopen to the public in Spring 2026 after being closed for safety reasons since 2023. The cemetery is located in the Monte San Bartolo Park, and the reopening will follow the completion … continue reading →

Belarus update: The abandoned synagogue building in Kobrin went back on the auction block November 13 — for a much reduced asking price of around €63,000 (The auction did not take place for lack of participants.)

The abandoned Great Synagogue in Kobrin, Belarus. Photo: e-auction

The abandoned synagogue building in Kobrin went back on the auction block November 13 — for a much reduced asking price of around €63,000. But according to the auction web site, the auction did not take place because of lack … continue reading →