Jewish Heritage Europe

Netherlands: After standing empty for years, and before that used for decades as a museum, a former synagogue in Nijmegen has become an upscale sports hall

A former synagogue in Nijmegen that had served for decades as a Natural History Museum has now become an upscale sports center. The red brick New Synagogue on residential Gerard Noodtstraat was designed by the architect Oscar Leeuw (1866-1944) in … continue reading →

Poland: Ryszard Bielawski, prolific Jewish heritage YouTuber, dies at 92

Ryszard Bielawski, a Polish zoologist who had a passion for creating YouTube videos of Jewish cemeteries and other Jewish heritage sites, has died at the age of 92. Bielawski, who has been described as  “probably the first and oldest YouTuber … continue reading →

Netherlands: Years-long restoration of the interior of the 17th century Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam appears to be nearing completion

Work is progressing on the meticulous, large-scale restoration of the 17th century Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, a massive project that began in 2017 is planned to be completed late this year. Commissioned by Stichting Onroerend Erfgoed Portugees-Israëlietische Gemeente and coordinated … continue reading →

Lithuania: Remains of the destroyed Great Synagogue in Vilnius are declared a state-protected national cultural heritage site

The remains of the destroyed Vilnius Great Synagogue and mikvah have been declared a state-protected cultural heritage site of national significance. The remains of the complex, which dates from the 17th century, have been revealed via archaeological excavations over the … continue reading →