Prior to World War II, thousands
of synagogues stood in the many towns, cities and shtetls of
Europe. Due to the ravages of war and the wanton destruction
of these houses of worship by the enemies of the Jewish
people, only a relatively small number remain. The synagogue
was such an important part of Jewish life that their absence
has removed a vital part of Jewish heritage that once existed
there. Of the buildings that still exist, some have been
restored; hopefully this will happen even more so in the
future to the fullest extent possible. With such few Jews if
any left in these towns, the buildings that were once served
as synagogues are now often being used for a different purpose. In
some towns, all that stands at a former synagogue site is a plaque, a remembrance or memorial to
the synagogue that
once stood there.... |
The Synagogue of
Zambrów, Poland |