Jewish Heritage Europe

Tisha B’av: Mourning and Remembering the Temple, in synagogue art and commemoration

Mural of people praying at the Western Wall; Suceava, Romania

Today is the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’av, or the Ninth of Av. It commemorates and mourns the destruction of the  First and Second Temples and other tragedies that befell the Jewish people. The Western Wall — or Kotel … continue reading →

Turkey: Istanbul’s historic Yanbol synagogue reopens after a 2-year restoration. It has a new exhibit of precious ritual material discovered in a hidden storeroom during the renovation process

The historic Yanbol synagogue in Istanbul’s Balat neighborhood has reopened for worship after two years of restoration work. It features a new permanent exhibit called “Forgotten Rooms” that displays  precious ritual objects and other material discovered in a hidden storeroom … continue reading →

Poland: The 17th century synagogue in Łęczna, empty for years, will be restored and adapted as an educational and cultural center

Synagogue in Łęczna, Poland, August 2018

The 17th century synagogue in Łęczna, which has stood empty and deteriorating for more than a decade, will be renovated and adapted as an educational and cultural center as part of a broader program to develop the town. According to … continue reading →