Jewish Heritage Europe

Lithuania: Storm damage to Jewish cemetery in Vilnius, toppling or breaking grave markers

A recent storm caused damage in the Suderves street Jewish cemetery in Vilnius, the only functioning Jewish cemetery in the city. The Lithuanian Jewish community reports that “many grave monuments fell down and some broke.” It did not provide further details, … continue reading →

Online lecture series of note: Synagogues and Jewish Cemeteries in the Russian Empire

Dr. Vladimir Levin, the director of the Center for Jewish Art, is holding a series of three online lectures that will be of interest to JHE readers. He will be discussing the history and architecture of Synagogues and Jewish Cemeteries in the … continue reading →

Lithuania: Restoration of wooden synagogue in Žiežmariai nears completion; it already hosts cultural events

(JHE) — The restoration of the 19th century wooden synagogue in Žiežmariai, Lithuania, is drawing to a close, and the renovated building, which will become a cultural center, is already hosting cultural events.  Work on the exterior and main interior … continue reading →

Lithuania: Watch a video recounting the recently competed, 4-year restoration of the synagogue building in Alytus

We’ve written and posted pictures about the four-year, more than €1 million restoration of the former synagogue in Alytus, Lithuania, which was completed in January.  Work on the project started in 2016 and entailed structural restoration as well as restoration … continue reading →

Jewish cemetery clean-ups 2021 — Round-up #1: They rarely grab headlines, but Jewish cemetery clean-ups by volunteers and others go on in many countries — despite the pandemic

(JHE) — Every year on Jewish Heritage Europe we post round-ups of various initiatives and projects aimed at restoring and cleaning-up Jewish cemeteries all over Europe, which take place throughout the spring, summer and, in some cases, also during autumn. … continue reading →