Jewish Heritage Europe

Poland: Archaeologists (working under rabbinical supervision) make extraordinary discoveries at Warsaw’s vast Okopowa st. Jewish cemetery

(JHE) — Archaeologists working — under rabbinical supervision — in Warsaw’s historic Okopowa street Jewish cemetery have uncovered previously unknown cobblestone paths, buried matzevot (some with gilding an polychrome decoration), and artifacts including glass bottles and coins dating back more … continue reading →

Simchas Torah 2020! Rejoicing with Images of Arks

(JHE) — Simchat Torah — Rejoicing in the Torah, the Jewish festival that celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings (and beginning of the new cycle), falls this weekend. To mark the occasion, here are some images … continue reading →

Poland: Restoration of the 200-year-old ruined synagogue in Krzepice has begun

(JHE) — Restoration work has begun on the roofless, ruined, 200-year-old synagogue in Krzepice, Poland, following receipt earlier this year of 500,000 zloty (€111,000) in grants from the state and region. “RESTORATION OF THE SYNAGOGUE IS ON,” the Facebook page … continue reading →

Poland update: Polychrome wall paintings in Włodawa Beit Midrash to be restored w/ EU grant. Culmination of fullscale revitalization of historic 3-synagogue complex, now a museum

(JHE) — The polychrome wall paintings in the Beit Midrash of the historic synagogue complex in Włodawa, Poland will be restored in a two-year,  €1.2 million operation mostly funded by the EU. The restoration will be the culmination of a … continue reading →

Jewish Cemetery clean-ups — Round-up 3: They rarely grab headlines, but Jewish cemetery clean-ups by volunteers and others go on in many countries — even despite the pandemic

(JHE) — For the third time this year, we are publishing a round-up of some of the many Jewish cemetery clean-up initiatives, by volunteers and others, taking place in various European countries. Earlier this year, we documented such initiatives at … continue reading →