Jewish Heritage Europe

Ukraine: alarm raised in Odessa that construction of a multistory apartment block could damage the former synagogue hosting the Migdal JCC

Jewish activists and local media in Odessa have raised an alarm about the potential impact of a six-story apartment block about to be built next door to the former Meat Butchers’ synagogue, which has housed the multi-purpose Migdal JCC since … continue reading →

An online exhibition of Memory Maps lets you “visit” the lost world of pre-WW2 towns, cities, and shtetls in eastern Europe the way they were remembered

A fascinating, and quite moving, online exhibit allows you to “visit” pre-war cities, towns, and shtetls in half a dozen countries through maps of them drawn from memory after the Shoah. Called “Atlas of Memory Maps,” the exhibit is mounted … continue reading →

Heartfelt greetings from JHE for a Pesach that will be different from all other Pesachs

Why is this night different from all other nights? begins the Four Questions at the Seder….This Pesach is very different from all others, as much of the world remains in lockdown; and the questions we ask are more than four…. … continue reading →

Locked Down? (Episode 2) Here are more virtual tours to fascinating Jewish museums and other Jewish heritage sites to pique your interest and keep you busy

Stuck at home because of COVID-19 quarantine, lockdown, or social distancing?  We’re posting links to virtual tours and other online explorations of Jewish museums, synagogues, and other Jewish heritage sites — even Jewish catacombs. We started last week with links … continue reading →

Photo Essay: Countering the vicious Corona (crown) virus with uplifting images of the Crown in Jewish ritual art. It symbolizes the glory of the Torah, and honor

“Corona” means “crown” — and the coronaviruses, such as the vicious one causing the current Covid-19 disease pandemic, get their name because of the crown-like spikes on their surface. (Or, because scientists thought they resembled the corona of the sun … continue reading →