Jewish Heritage Europe

JHE Photo Essay: Weeping Willows (real and artistic) in Jewish cemeteries and commemoration

(JHE) — The weeping willow tree, with its drooping branches symbolizing grief, has been a common motif on gravestones — Jewish and non-Jewish alike — particularly from the 19th and early 20th centuries.  The sculptural Holocaust Memorialby Imre Varga in … continue reading →

Jewish cemetery clean-ups 2022 — Round-up #3 — Dozens of initiatives in 14 countries

In April and May, we published our first two round-ups of 2022, listing scores of the many Jewish cemetery clean-up initiatives taking place this spring and summer in various European countries.  Here’s a third round-up listing actions from 14 countries — actions … continue reading →

Slovakia: A new roof on the Moorish style former synagogue in Vrbové signals renewed restoration efforts

Former synagogue, Vrbové, Slovakia

The striking, Moorish-style former synagogue in the town of Vrbové, Slovakia, stands in sad disrepair, but there are efforts under way to (slowly) restore the building. Constructed in 1883, it was designed by the Bratislava architects identified as Grätzel and … continue reading →

Anniversary of Anniversaries: Bratislava — 20th Anniversary of the Chatam Sofer Memorial; 10th Anniversary of the Jewish Community Museum

The year 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of Jewish Heritage Europe, and we will be celebrating it throughout the year with special content. The theme of JHE’s 10th birthday celebrations is the “Anniversary of Anniversaries” — that is, using JHE’s own anniversary to feature other significant or … continue reading →

Jewish Cemetery Clean-ups: Second round-up of 2022; more than 50 initiatives in 16 countries

In mid-April, we published a first round-up of some of the many Jewish cemetery clean-up initiatives taking place this spring and summer in various European countries. Here’s a second Round-up listing more than 50 actions from 16 countries — actions … continue reading →