Jewish Heritage Europe

UK: “Urban Explorer” breaks into abandoned Greenbank Synagogue in Liverpool, crashes through ceiling – posts video

“Urban explorers” broke into the abandoned Greenbank Synagogue in Liverpool, England and one of them — who goes by the name “The Little Nuisance” — crashed through the sanctuary’s fragile ceiling. He dangled from the gaping hole and nearly fell … continue reading →

UK: Stories from the historic Willesden Jewish cemetery, London — emphasizing it as a “House of Life”

A Jewish cemetery is often referred to as a “House of Life.” Each gravestone or other funerary monument commemorates the life of an individual or family; or in some cases marks a mass grave. These stones tell stories: through epitaphs, … 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 →

Trees and Fruit for Tu B’Shevat

Monday marks Tu B’Shevat — the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat, which is known as “the New Year for Trees.” It is the time of year when the earliest-blooming trees in the land of Israel start to flower.  It is the … continue reading →