Jewish Heritage Europe

Businessman and philanthropist Sigmund (Zygmunt) Rolat, a key figure in the revival of Jewish life and heritage in Poland, has died at 93

Sigmund Rolat, speaking at an event at the Galicia Jewish Museum in Krakow in 2012

We are saddened by the death of the New York-based businessman and philanthropist  Sigmund (Zygmunt) Rolat, a key figure in the post-communist revival of Jewish life and heritage in Poland, who has passed away aged 93. A Holocaust survivor from … continue reading →

RIP Frank Stella. We recall the 2016 exhibition in Warsaw of his work inspired by the destroyed wooden synagogues of Eastern Europe

Cover of the catalogue of the Frank Stella exhibit at POLIN museum

The death of the renowned American artist Frank Stella leads us to recall the major exhibition of his work in 2016, inspired by the destroyed wooden synagogues of Eastern Europe. Stella died Saturday at his home in New York, aged … continue reading →

Jewish Cemetery Clean-ups — Our first round-up of initiatives for 2024. More than 40 actions from 13 countries

A worker at the Kozma utca Jewish cemetery, Budapest

Every year on Jewish Heritage Europe, we post round-ups of initiatives and projects aimed at restoring and cleaning up Jewish cemeteries all over Europe. We feel it so important to highlight these initiatives, which are often overlooked or ignored. Most … continue reading →

Italy Update: The Siena Synagogue, damaged by earthquake, is listed as one of Europa Nostra’s 2024 Seven Most Endangered Heritage Sites in Europe

The late 18th century synagogue in Siena, Italy, damaged by an earthquake in February 2023, has been listed by Europa Nostra as one of the 2024 Seven Most Endangered Heritage Sites in Europe. (We posted in February when the synagogue … continue reading →

Austria update: The magnificent domed former synagogue in St. Pölten reopens as a Jewish cultural center

Former Synagogue in St. Pölten Austria.

The magnificent domed former synagogue in St. Pölten, west of Vienna, opens again this week as a Jewish cultural center following a €4.6 million restoration and redevelopment financed in equal parts by the federal government, the province of Lower Austria, … continue reading →