There were more than a thousand shtetls in today’s territories of Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania and Belarus. The Second World War and the Holocaust obliterated the world of shtetls completely. Today, in Opatów—as well as in tens of other Polish towns—there are no more Jews left.
The OPOLIN Museum’s new temporary exhibition titled (post) JEWISH… demonstrates that Polish towns hide two parallel histories. The history of their Polish inhabitants is well known and remembered. The one of their Jewish neighbours who are no more is forgotten or left unsaid.
Guide in the exhibition will be the late Mayer Kirshenblatt, a painter who emigrated to Canada with his mother and brothers as a teenager, in 1934. Mayer recalls the shtetl of his youth, restoring vivid memories of the people, events, daily life and customs. His paintings—full of color, imagination and humor—show us a world that is no more. Looking at them, we learn about our shared Polish-Jewish history.
The exhibition also features a documentation of artistic interventions carried out in today’s Opatów, aimed at discovering and restoring the vestiges of the pre-war Jewish life.
Six month “Heritage Season” of Events (Ceremonial, Concerts, Lectures, Meal, Performances, Talks, Tours, and Walks) to mark the 150th Anniversary of Princes Road Synagogue.
Themes:
September 2024 – People & Place;
October 2024 – Charity & Philanthropy and Rituals;
November 2024 – Civil life; December 2024 – Education & Learning;
January 2025 – Trade & Occupations; February 2025 – Art & Culture
The program is evolving.
Click here to see the program as events are confirmed.
NOTE: Tickets for all events must be reserved in advance.
To apply for tickets, please complete the application for tickets form here.
For Italian speakers — during December, in addition to regular visits, the Jewish Museum and Synagogue of Florence are organizing a series of thematic guided tours of the city’s Great Synagogue, each focusing on a different aspect of Jewish culture, arts, and history.
More information can be found here, and tickets can be purchased here.
Wednesday, December 11, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
A guided tour of the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Museum, exploring the history of the synagogue’s construction and Jewish rituals. The museum’s first and second floors showcase the history of Florentine Jews, from the 16th-century ghetto to the post-World War II period, with a focus on Jewish holidays, life cycles, and key milestones illustrated through museum artifacts.
Sunday, December 15, 11:00 AM
The Besamim Container: The Fragrance of Shabbat
A guided tour on the history and stylistic evolution of the Besamim Container, the spice holder used at the end of Shabbat. During the Havdalah ritual, the fragrance of the spices helps ease the transition from the sacred day of rest to the workweek. The tour will explore various examples in the museum and the Shabbat table set up on the first floor.
Wednesday, December 18, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
Another guided tour of the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Museum, similar to the one on the 11th, focusing on the synagogue’s history, Jewish rituals, and the history of Florentine Jews.
Sunday, December 22, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
A repeat of the guided tour on the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Culture, offering the same content as previous sessions.
Sunday, December 29, 11:00 AM
Chanukkah and the Miracle of Light
In celebration of Chanukkah, a guided tour exploring this eight-day holiday, commemorating the Jewish victory over Greek domination. The tour will discuss the miracles of oil, the rededication of the Sanctuary, and the victory of a small group of fighters over a large army. Through the museum’s collection of Chanukkiot, participants will learn about the victory of light over darkness, monotheism over polytheism, and faith and hope over physical strength. The tour will also delve into the traditions, customs, and recipes associated with this joyful festival.
For Italian speakers — during December, in addition to regular visits, the Jewish Museum and Synagogue of Florence are organizing a series of thematic guided tours of the city’s Great Synagogue, each focusing on a different aspect of Jewish culture, arts, and history.
More information can be found here, and tickets can be purchased here.
Wednesday, December 11, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
A guided tour of the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Museum, exploring the history of the synagogue’s construction and Jewish rituals. The museum’s first and second floors showcase the history of Florentine Jews, from the 16th-century ghetto to the post-World War II period, with a focus on Jewish holidays, life cycles, and key milestones illustrated through museum artifacts.
Sunday, December 15, 11:00 AM
The Besamim Container: The Fragrance of Shabbat
A guided tour on the history and stylistic evolution of the Besamim Container, the spice holder used at the end of Shabbat. During the Havdalah ritual, the fragrance of the spices helps ease the transition from the sacred day of rest to the workweek. The tour will explore various examples in the museum and the Shabbat table set up on the first floor.
Wednesday, December 18, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
Another guided tour of the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Museum, similar to the one on the 11th, focusing on the synagogue’s history, Jewish rituals, and the history of Florentine Jews.
Sunday, December 22, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
A repeat of the guided tour on the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Culture, offering the same content as previous sessions.
Sunday, December 29, 11:00 AM
Chanukkah and the Miracle of Light
In celebration of Chanukkah, a guided tour exploring this eight-day holiday, commemorating the Jewish victory over Greek domination. The tour will discuss the miracles of oil, the rededication of the Sanctuary, and the victory of a small group of fighters over a large army. Through the museum’s collection of Chanukkiot, participants will learn about the victory of light over darkness, monotheism over polytheism, and faith and hope over physical strength. The tour will also delve into the traditions, customs, and recipes associated with this joyful festival.
For Italian speakers — during December, in addition to regular visits, the Jewish Museum and Synagogue of Florence are organizing a series of thematic guided tours of the city’s Great Synagogue, each focusing on a different aspect of Jewish culture, arts, and history.
More information can be found here, and tickets can be purchased here.
Wednesday, December 11, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
A guided tour of the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Museum, exploring the history of the synagogue’s construction and Jewish rituals. The museum’s first and second floors showcase the history of Florentine Jews, from the 16th-century ghetto to the post-World War II period, with a focus on Jewish holidays, life cycles, and key milestones illustrated through museum artifacts.
Sunday, December 15, 11:00 AM
The Besamim Container: The Fragrance of Shabbat
A guided tour on the history and stylistic evolution of the Besamim Container, the spice holder used at the end of Shabbat. During the Havdalah ritual, the fragrance of the spices helps ease the transition from the sacred day of rest to the workweek. The tour will explore various examples in the museum and the Shabbat table set up on the first floor.
Wednesday, December 18, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
Another guided tour of the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Museum, similar to the one on the 11th, focusing on the synagogue’s history, Jewish rituals, and the history of Florentine Jews.
Sunday, December 22, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
A repeat of the guided tour on the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Culture, offering the same content as previous sessions.
Sunday, December 29, 11:00 AM
Chanukkah and the Miracle of Light
In celebration of Chanukkah, a guided tour exploring this eight-day holiday, commemorating the Jewish victory over Greek domination. The tour will discuss the miracles of oil, the rededication of the Sanctuary, and the victory of a small group of fighters over a large army. Through the museum’s collection of Chanukkiot, participants will learn about the victory of light over darkness, monotheism over polytheism, and faith and hope over physical strength. The tour will also delve into the traditions, customs, and recipes associated with this joyful festival.
For Italian speakers — during December, in addition to regular visits, the Jewish Museum and Synagogue of Florence are organizing a series of thematic guided tours of the city’s Great Synagogue, each focusing on a different aspect of Jewish culture, arts, and history.
More information can be found here, and tickets can be purchased here.
Wednesday, December 11, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
A guided tour of the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Museum, exploring the history of the synagogue’s construction and Jewish rituals. The museum’s first and second floors showcase the history of Florentine Jews, from the 16th-century ghetto to the post-World War II period, with a focus on Jewish holidays, life cycles, and key milestones illustrated through museum artifacts.
Sunday, December 15, 11:00 AM
The Besamim Container: The Fragrance of Shabbat
A guided tour on the history and stylistic evolution of the Besamim Container, the spice holder used at the end of Shabbat. During the Havdalah ritual, the fragrance of the spices helps ease the transition from the sacred day of rest to the workweek. The tour will explore various examples in the museum and the Shabbat table set up on the first floor.
Wednesday, December 18, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
Another guided tour of the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Museum, similar to the one on the 11th, focusing on the synagogue’s history, Jewish rituals, and the history of Florentine Jews.
Sunday, December 22, 11:00 AM
Florence, its Synagogue, and Jewish Culture
A repeat of the guided tour on the Florence Synagogue and Jewish Culture, offering the same content as previous sessions.
Sunday, December 29, 11:00 AM
Chanukkah and the Miracle of Light
In celebration of Chanukkah, a guided tour exploring this eight-day holiday, commemorating the Jewish victory over Greek domination. The tour will discuss the miracles of oil, the rededication of the Sanctuary, and the victory of a small group of fighters over a large army. Through the museum’s collection of Chanukkiot, participants will learn about the victory of light over darkness, monotheism over polytheism, and faith and hope over physical strength. The tour will also delve into the traditions, customs, and recipes associated with this joyful festival.
To celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish New Year for Trees, an event to explore the tree-shaded grounds of the Willesden Jewish Cemetery. It has trees that are 150 years old and some that were planted just last year, as well as a few that are represented in stone.
Choose:
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
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Explore the Heritage Centre: learn about trees and nature in our stunning heritage centre
or
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Join a nature walk: enjoy the outdoors while identifying trees in winter and making tree bark rubbings
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
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Arts and crafts for all ages in the Heritage Centre. Get creative with our arts and crafts session! Make your own tree with natural materials exploring vibrant colours of nature.
The workshops are aimed at primary school children but are suitable and enjoyable for all ages.
Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets: £5.00 per family.
Booking is essential.
Kindly follow Jewish customs – do not eat, drink, play music, ride bikes or scooters, or walk dogs in the Cemetery grounds.
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