Jewish Heritage Europe

Czech Republic: The monumental, twin-towered Great Synagogue in Plzeň (Pilsen) reopens after 3-year renovation

The monumental twin-towered Great Synagogue in Plzeň (Pilsen) in the Czech Republic reopens Sunday (April 10) following a three-year, €4 million renovation, largely funded by the EU,  that also included complete restoration of the nearby rabbi’s house. Work focused on the … continue reading →

Hungary Update: the new Orthodox Jewish Heritage Tourism Route in Eastern Hungary is completed

Work on the new, EU-funded Orthodox Jewish Heritage Route in Eastern Hungary has been completed. Its new visitor centers and other new infrastructure are open, and there’s a multi-lingual web site in Hungarian and English (with Hebrew planned) to guide … continue reading →

Italy: In Venice a new Smartphone App teaches Holocaust history via Augmented Reality and Stolpersteine

(JHE) — A new smartphone and tablet app teaches Holocaust history in Venice by using Augmented Reality to tell the stories of the people commemorated by Stolpersteine – Stumbling Stones – memorials and at other memorial sites around the city. … continue reading →

France: The 130-year-old Great Synagogue in Lille is rededicated after large-scale renovation

(JHE) — The imposing Great Synagogue in Lille has been re-dedicated with a gala ceremony following a large-scale renovation begun in 2019. The news site La Voix du Nord ran a video of the event held Sunday (January 23): Government … continue reading →

Turkey Update: the historic Etz Hayim synagogue in Izmir is officially reopened after restoration, during the Izmir Sephardic Culture Festival

The historic,  long-derelict Etz Hayim synagogue in Izmir has been officially reopened following a 2-year restoration carried out thanks to a substantial grant from the Izmir Development Agency (IZKA). The ceremony took place November 29,  at the opening of the third Izmir … continue reading →