In 1872 a
split occurred in Czernowitz between the Reform and
Orthodox communities. Then, in 1873, construction of a
new synagogue commenced. Two years later both
communities reunited, and in 1878 the synagogue,
designed a bit like a mosque, was consecrated. The
synagogue was used mostly by the wealthier Reform
group, though services were not so Reform. At the
time, the synagogue was the most prominent building in
all of Czernowitz.
In 1940 the Russians, who had annexed Czernowitz,
closed the synagogue and confiscated its property. On
Jul 5, 1941, German and Romanian soldiers burned down
the synagogue. In 1959 the ruins were converted into a
movie theater.
Rabbi Abraham Jakob Mark served as the head rabbi of
Czernowitz from 1926 until 1941 when the synagogue was
burned down by the Germans and he, along with many others,
were killed.
His wife Perla Mark gave
testimony during
the trial of Adolf Eichmann in 1961. She talked about her
husband, the synagogue and what transpired during those
fateful days in Czernowitz in the summer of 1941.
Listen
to an eyewitness account of the burning of the great
temple of Czernowitz, as given by Professor Julius
Scherzer, by clicking on the earphones icon. |
Dr. Abraham Mark
Chief Rabbi of Czernowitz |