Jewish Heritage Europe

Belarus: Historic 17th century Slonim synagogue up for auction; starting price — €50,000

The historic abandoned synagogue in Slonim, Belarus — long the focus of fitful attempts at restoration — is up for sale. Belarus media report that the Slonim District Executive Committee Department of Culture has put it up for auction in … continue reading →

Germany: Though less than 20 years old, the Chemnitz New Synagogue needs extensive repairs; the city greenlights €300,000 for further work

Though less than 20 years old, the modern New Synagogue in Chemnitz, Germany needs extensive structural repairs due to leakage and other issues. The city has greenlighted a further €300,000 grant to continue repair work begun several years ago. According … continue reading →

Survey of Jewish built heritage in Iraq and Syria completed; 27 still extant sites considered endangered; four priority restoration sites targeted

The Jewish Cultural Heritage Initiative (JCHI) — a joint project of the London-based Foundation for Jewish Heritage (FJH) and the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR)— has completed an initial assessment of present and past Jewish heritage sites in Iraq … continue reading →

Italy: The Florence Synagogue reopens for a day — and channels Botticelli

After nearly three months of Coronavirus shutdown, the grand synagogue in Florence opened for a day on Sunday, with an art installation marking Shavuot that directly channeled the work of the great Florentine Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. The synagogue immediately … continue reading →

JHE PHOTO ESSAY: Shavuot 2020 — Images of the 10 Commandments to mark the holiday

  The festival of Shavuot, which begins tonight, marks the reception of the Torah — and Ten Commandments — at Mt. Sinai. Jews traditionally go to synagogue on Shavuot to hear the Ten Commandments read out: 1. I am the Lord … continue reading →