Jewish Heritage Europe

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 →

For International Women’s Day 2019: Women Remembered in Jewish Ritual Art

As we did last year, we’re marking March 8 — International Women’s Day — by highlighting the way Jewish women are remembered in visual terms: specifically, the way women are portrayed in Jewish funerary art. Jewish cemeteries are often called … continue reading →

Romania Update: Siret Ark was sold for $50,000; criminal investigation under way

The Ark from the synagogue in Siret, Romania that had been dismantled and taken to Israel, was sold at auction in Jerusalem on Wednesday for $50,000 — despite efforts by the Romanian Jewish Federation FEDROM to halt the sale. Romanian … continue reading →

FURTHER UPDATE: Romanian Jewish Federation asks to block auction of Siret Ark, files criminal complaint. See FEDROM statement, comparison pictures

Romanian Jewish leaders have filed a criminal complaint for fraud regarding the dismantling of the historic Aron ha Kodesh (Ark) of the synagogue in Siret and its removal to Israel where it is up for auction. They also formally requested … continue reading →

Update: Comparative photos, the historic Ark from the Synagogue in Siret, Romania, that was dismantled & taken to Israel where it is up for auction, and the “ticky-tacky” replica Ark installed in its place. Alarm raised.

The unauthorized dismantling of the historic Aron ha Kodesh (Ark) from the synagogue in Siret, Romania, and its removal to Israel, where it is to go on auction next week (Feb. 20) appears to have been a huge undertaking as … continue reading →