Jewish Heritage Europe

Lithuania: Storm damage to Jewish cemetery in Vilnius, toppling or breaking grave markers

A recent storm caused damage in the Suderves street Jewish cemetery in Vilnius, the only functioning Jewish cemetery in the city. The Lithuanian Jewish community reports that “many grave monuments fell down and some broke.” It did not provide further details, … continue reading →

Italy: Nine years later, what is the status of Jewish heritage sites damaged in the devastating earthquakes that hit northern Italy in May 2012?

At the end of May 2012, two major earthquakes struck northern Italy. The quakes killed at least 24 people, left thousands homeless, and caused widespread damage to art and architectural heritage. Synagogues and Jewish cemeteries were among the sites that … continue reading →

Germany: Devastating flood damage to Jewish heritage sites in hard-hit Ahrweiler. Let us know if you have reports from other places!

The devastated Jewish cemetery in Ahrweiler, Germany. Photo: Christian Riemenschneider

Jewish heritage sites were not spared serious damage amid the overall widespread destruction caused by the devastating flash floods that inundated parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands in mid-July. More than 200 people died in the flooding, triggered by … continue reading →

Poland: Violent storm damages Krakow’s New Jewish Cemetery, with downed trees and branches damaging headstones

The New Jewish Cemetery in Krakow appears to have suffered considerable damage from a violent rain, wind, and hail storm that swept the city on Friday, July 9. Similar storms were forecast for Sunday and early Monday (July 11-12). The … continue reading →