The Old Synagogue in Plzeň, Czech Republic, built in 1859, is now part of a community, heritage, and memorial complex. It provides a relatively rare example of a two-storey women’s gallery, which the architectural historian Samuel D. Gruber describes and … continue reading →
Yesterday marked Tisha b’Av, or the Ninth of Av, the Jewish fast day that commemorates and mourns the destruction of the First and Second Temples and other tragedies that befell the Jewish people. On JHE, we reflect all the time … continue reading →
A new online exhibition about the history of the important modernist New Synagogue (Nová Synagóga) in Žilina, Slovakia is now viewable — it is the digital version of a permanent exhibition now under preparation that will be installed in the … continue reading →
It was exciting to visit the synagogue in Loštice, CZ and learn first-hand about the work spearheaded by the Respect and Tolerance Foundation, a civic organization founded around 15 years ago that documents the history and culture of the pre-war … continue reading →
Today is the Fourth of July — Independence Day in the United States. It’s traditionally celebrated with fireworks displays against starry summer skies. We thought we’d post of images of synagogue decoration that evoke the heavens (and celebration). … continue reading →
