Jewish Heritage Europe

In Ukraine, a Shehecheyanu moment as a Mezuzah is affixed to the partially restored Great Maharsha Synagogue in Ostroh

    In what was truly a Shehecheyanu moment, a Mezuzah was affixed to the entrance of the partially restored Great Maharsha Synagogue in Ostroh (Ostrog), Ukraine, built in the early 17th century. Visiting rabbis and pilgrims from the USA, Israel, … continue reading →

Romania: the Moorish-style Memorial Synagogue in Cluj (Kolozsvár) is under restoration; a Jewish social & cultural center is also to be developed

  Fullscale restoration work is under way at the so-called Memorial to the Deportees Synagogue in Cluj-Napoca (Koloszvár), Romania, and a Jewish cultural and social center will be developed next to it. Work began at the beginning of October, and … continue reading →

Turkey: Matching grant appeal launched to restore Izmir’s historic Etz Hayim synagogue

  The Izmir Project has launched an appeal to raise $80,000 in matching funds to guarantee a municipal grant to restore the historic but sadly derelict Etz Hayim Synagogue. Believed to be the oldest synagogue in Izmir, it possibly dates … continue reading →

Hungary: a wedding at the synagogue in Mád celebrates past, present & future (and makes the NYTimes)

  We were delighted to see the baroque synagogue Mád, Hungary — one of our favorites — make the pages of the New York Times in, of all places, the weddings section. The reason? What was described as the first … continue reading →

Update: Restored Teleki synagogue in Oradea, Romania rededicated after restoration; will become a Jewish museum

  The Primariei (Teleki) Street (Hinech Neorim) synagogue in Oradea, western Romania, has been rededicated after restoration — and a Jewish museum is planned to be opened there as early as December, with a section devoted to a Holocaust memorial, … continue reading →