Jewish Heritage Europe

JHE PHOTO ESSAY: American notes — Epitaphs on historic Jewish gravestones in the USA trace stories of (sometimes dramatic) immigration from Europe

In the United States, the European heritage of most American Jews is evident in the Jewish built heritage, particularly in older Jewish cemeteries and synagogues. The historic Ohabei Shalom Jewish cemetery in East Boston, founded in 1844, is the first … continue reading →

Germany Update: Stained glass windows by US Jewish artist dedicated in German church housed in a former synagogue

After four years of work, stained glass windows by a Jewish American artist have been installed and dedicated in a church in Germany that occupies a former synagogue. The six vividly colorful windows by the artist Barney Zeitz were dedicated … continue reading →

September 1: on the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of WW2 and 20th anniversary of the European Day(s) of Jewish Culture — a photo essay of before and after pix of restored Jewish heritage sites

Today, September 1, marks the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II — the global conflict that encompassed the Holocaust and brought devastation to the Jewish world in Europe. It is also the 20th anniversary of the European … continue reading →

Springtime Photo Essay: Flowers in Jewish decorative art both mourn death and celebrate life

Spring is coming — or just about here — in the northern hemisphere. It’s a time of flowers. Flowers and floral motifs are frequently used in Jewish decorative art, in synagogues and Jewish cemeteries. They provide symbolic representation of life … continue reading →