Jewish Heritage Europe

Hungary: Tracing the history of Budapest’s Dohany Street synagogue through the online photo archive Fortepan

The twin-towered Dohany St Synagogue is a city landmark in downtown Budapest and a symbol of Hungarian Judaism, used for worship and also visited each year by scores of thousands of tourists. The elaborate, Moorish-style building was designed by the … continue reading →

Update: See the Rumbach st synagogue in Budapest, restored to its glory — and watch a video of the retractable Bimah!

Restoration is complete on the historic, Moorish-style Rumbach street synagogue in Budapest. The project entails the conversion of the synagogue and its entire building complex into a multi-purpose arts, culture, prayer, and education center, and work is still going on … continue reading →

Poland: Renovation of 16th century Szydłów synagogue complete, building reopened as cultural center

The renovation of the historic fortresslike synagogue in Szydlów, Poland has been completed after a year and a half of restoration work, and the 16th-century building, one of the oldest preserved synagogues in Poland,  has been reopened as the town’s … continue reading →

Council of Europe issues far-reaching report, resolution, recommendations on Jewish heritage preservation

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has adopted a far-reaching Resolution and set of Recommendations  that recognize the importance of Jewish heritage and call for local, national, and international efforts to preserve and protect Jewish heritage sites around … continue reading →

Poland: News from Poznan – synagogue sold (apparently for hotel development); and city wants to rescue Jewish gravestones used to reinforce an artificial lake built by the Nazis

Recent Jewish heritage developments in the city of Poznan in western Poland have made headlines: the Jewish community is reported to have sold the former synagogue, apparently to a hotel developer, and the city wants to rescue Jewish gravestones that … continue reading →