Jewish Heritage Europe

Center for Jewish Art: New Report details the CJA’s extensive and varied research, documentation, publication and other activities from June 2019-December 2021

Few — if any — institutions or organizations carry out as much research, publication, and other activities related to the documentation and analysis of Jewish heritage as the Center for Jewish Art at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. We have highlighted … continue reading →

Poland: New book on the (almost all destroyed) synagogues of Upper Silesia

A richly illustrated new book puts the destroyed synagogues of Upper Silesia, in southwest Poland,  back on the map. Called Synagogi na Górnym Śląsku (Synagogues in Upper Silesia),  the book was published by the Gliwice Museum and its branch the Upper … continue reading →

Hanukkah’s coming! (Gift ideas…the 2022 Vanished World calendar, and a coffee-table book, “Synagogues: Marvels of Judaism”)

It’s Hanukkah next week…. so here are a couple gift ideas…. THE “VANISHED WORLD” 2022 CALENDAR Once again, the incredibly productive and generous Christian Herrmann has created a “Vanished World” calendar based on his evocative photographs of Jewish heritage in … continue reading →

Call for submissions: Spring 2022 issue of “AJS Perspectives” (the “Travel Issue”) — original essays, roundtables, and art submissions on the theme of travel. 

We’re pleased to share this call for submissions to the Spring 2022 issue of  AJS Perspectives, titled “The Travel Issue.” The editors invite original essays, roundtables, and art submissions on the theme of travel.  There is a lot of scope … continue reading →

Pipe Organs in Synagogues — Pride and Polemics. (See pix and access an article and music)

Ark in the Fabric synagogue, Timisoara, showing the organ behind and above it. Photo © Anna Szentgyörgyi

Having an organ in a synagogue is a fairly recent innovation, related to the emancipation of the Jews and spread of reform Judaism in the 19th century.  The introduction of a pipe organ into a synagogue sometimes sparked heated polemics. … continue reading →