Jewish Heritage Europe

Hungary: Restoration of the hauntingly beautiful, long-abandoned synagogue in Kőszeg has begun

(JHE) — Renovation of the long-abandoned 19th century synagogue in Kőszeg, in western Hungary on the Austrian border, has finally begun, following years of false starts and failed announcements. The work represents the first phase of a larger plan that … continue reading →

Austria Update: Restoration of the former synagogue in Kobersdorf (in Burgenland) is now under way

(JHE) — Restoration work has begun at the former synagogue in Kobersdorf. As we reported last year, the Austrian land (region) of Burgenland purchased the former synagogue  and intends to restore it for use as a cultural site.  The Burgenland … continue reading →

Italy: Restoration of Turin synagogue completed; saw safety, consolidation, and conservation work

An Italian magazine from 1884 shows the just-inaugurated synagogue

(JHE) — Renovation work on the monumental synagogue in Turin (Torino) Italy has been completed — and the work was celebrated at Simchas Torah with the dedication of a plaque honoring major donors to the project, including the Compagnia di … continue reading →

Simchas Torah 2020! Rejoicing with Images of Arks

(JHE) — Simchat Torah — Rejoicing in the Torah, the Jewish festival that celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings (and beginning of the new cycle), falls this weekend. To mark the occasion, here are some images … continue reading →

Hungary: An exhibit honors architect Lipót Baumhorn in his 160th birthday year. And a new book highlights the stained glass windows in Baumhorn’s masterpiece, the New Synagogue in Szeged

(JHE) — Lipót Baumhorn, the most prolific synagogue architect in pre-WW2 Europe, is being honored with an open-air exhibit in Szeged, the city that is home to his masterpiece — the monumental domed New Synagogue, dedicated in 1903.  At the … continue reading →