Jewish Heritage Europe

JHE Photo Essay: for Tu B’Shvat 2024 — Trees and fruit in Jewish decorative art; in synagogues, on gravestones, and as part of ritual objects

It’s Tu B’Shevat — the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat, known as “the New Year for Trees:” the time of year when the earliest-blooming trees in the land of Israel start to flower.  It is the custom to reflect on our … continue reading →

Bows (and some arrows) to mark the Hebrew month of Kislev, whose Zodiac sign is Keshet — the bow — or Sagittarius

We’re in the Hebrew month of Kislev, whose Zodiac sign is Sagittarius — Keshet; or bow. Here are some images of the Bow (and arrow) marking Kislev, depicted in Zodiacs found in various European synagogues (and a library).   ShareTweetSharePin

Kristallnacht anniversary 2023: countering destruction with images of wonderful surviving — and restored — synagogues

The  night of November 9-10 marks the 85th anniversary of the so-called Kristallnacht pogrom — Reichspogromnacht — in 1938, when the Nazis launched coordinated violent attacks on Jews, Jewish property and Jewish places of worship all over Germany and German-occupied … continue reading →