Jewish Heritage Europe

Anniversary of Anniversaries: 150 Years of the twin-towered synagogue in Krnov, Czech Republic

The year 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of Jewish Heritage Europe. The theme of  our  birthday celebrations is the “Anniversary of Anniversaries” — that is, using JHE’s own anniversary to feature other significant or symbolic anniversaries. Here we highlight the 150th anniversary of … continue reading →

UPDATED with new material: The Origins of the Women’s Gallery (and pictures)

View from the women's gallery, the monumental Zion Synagogue in Oradea, Romania, built in 1878 and designed by Dávid Busch, the city's chief architect

(JHE) — We have posted in the past about women’s galleries in the synagogue, mainly focusing on the architecture and physical sites. Two recent publications trace the origin of of the separation of women during prayer and the evolution of … continue reading →

Kristallnacht anniversary 2022: countering memories of destruction with images of wonderful surviving — and restored — synagogues

Zion Synagogue, Oradea, Romania JHE Instagram September 11, 2022

We’ve made it a JHE tradition. Tonight —the  night of November 9-10 — marks the 84th anniversary of the so-called Kristallnacht pogrom — Reichspogromnacht — in 1938, when the Nazis launched coordinated violent attacks on Jews, Jewish property and Jewish … continue reading →

Some Ukrainian refugees have found work — volunteer or paid — helping clean Jewish cemeteries. One example is in Pilsen, Czech Republic

Millions of Ukrainian refugees are still living outside their home country. Some have found work (both volunteer and paid) helping to clean and maintain Jewish cemeteries. Fred Chvatal, chair of the TAMUS – Tachov Archives & Museum’s Society, which carries … continue reading →

Poland CZ: Two significant new Holocaust memorials unveiled — Names in Nowy Sącz and Returned (Cobble)stones in Prague

In Poland and in the Czech Republic, two significant Holocaust memorials have been unveiled in recent days. NOWY SĄCZ, POLAND, August 28 The powerful new memorial lists the names of around 12,000 Jews from Nowy Sącz and its surroundings  deported by … continue reading →