Jewish Heritage Europe

France: As the Carpentras synagogue turns 650, the tiny Jewish community seeks funds to restore the historic building

  The tiny Jewish community in Carpentras, France has issued an appeal for contributions to help complete renovation work on its historic synagogue, which this year is celebrating its 650th birthday, making it the oldest active synagogue in France and … continue reading →

Ukraine road trip: Volunteers clean up Stryi synagogue ruin; will new signage come next?

(JHE Coordinator Ruth Ellen Gruber recently visited Jewish heritage sites in more than 10 towns near Lviv in western Ukraine to observe conditions and note changes.) We didn’t know it at the time, but our visit to the town of … continue reading →

Ukraine road trip: In Brody, New Signage at Fortress Synagogue ruin & New Recognition of Jewish History

  (JHE Coordinator Ruth Ellen Gruber recently visited Jewish heritage sites in more than 10 towns near Lviv in western Ukraine to observe conditions and note changes).  – – – – Built in the 1740s and heavily damaged in World … continue reading →

New Have Your Say op-ed — Touring the Invisible: the Public Recovery of England’s Jewish History

One of the main challenges facing the public representation of medieval Jewish history in England is the lack of tangible evidence. In our new Have Your Say op-ed, Toni Griffiths, a PhD student at Winchester University, provides insight into recent … continue reading →

UK: Scientist’s grave in Willesden Jewish cemetery given landmark status

Willesden Cemetery, ceremonial hall. Photo: United Synagogue

  In honor of International Women’s Day, Historic England has listed the grave of pioneering British scientist Rosalind Franklin in the Willesden Jewish cemetery in northwest London as a Grade II historic site. Franklin, who died from ovarian cancer in … continue reading →