This is indeed a remnant rescued from the flames – Zachariah 3.2
Nożyk synagogue was opened in 1902, and had a rich history: many of the great cantors of the early 20th century prayed there. That is, until World War 2 when the Germans found another use for it as a fodder warehouse and stables, which preserved it in the middle of destruction. It was restored and reopened as a synagogue in 1983 and today it’s the main synagogue of Warsaw’s Jewish community.
The outside is quite grand in a dignified way, nothing like the decorative vividness of the only other synagogue I’ve visited, the Jerusalem synagogue in Prague.
But I enter through the unassuming back door, and realise the ongoing fear felt by Jews as I’m frisked and my handbag investigated.
Inside, the Aron Kadesh (the holy ark) is flanked by marble columns with decorative capitals, its dome topped by a Star of David. The bimah contains a table for reading the Torah, and is also the rostrum where the cantor conducts his prayers. On the wall is the Mizrah, an ornamental plate placed on the eastern wall to show the direction of Jerusalem (shown in the second last collage.) Upstairs is the women’s gallery to keep women separate and to avoid distractions to the undisciplined minds of men. On the stairs and leading into the women’s gallery are mosaic “carpets” and an archway is crowned with a blaze of stained glass.
Outside in a howling wind and spatters of rain, information panels outline the history of Warsaw’s Jewish community and explain aspects of Jewish belief and practice. One of them points me to as yet unvisited sites important in Warsaw’s Jewish history.
Wonderful images, Meg…I myself have only visited one synagogue, a tiny one in Córdoba, but with very similar intricate carving (almost like lace) on the walls
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I tend to be hesitant entering a place where I’m not sure of the rituals required – although I did dare the mosque in Damascus, suitably robed.
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One tries to be respectful…
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Loved the tour thanks, Meg. I know some who have been to Synagogues for a tour but I never have. Much appreciated and I loved the photos.
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Result! More visits to make 🙂 🙂 Love all the curliques! Always alert to danger- that’s no life, is it? I’ve been in several of Krakow’s synagogues and found them mysterious and interesting. Frosty Thursday hugs, Meg!
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I’ll remember that if we go to Kraków again.
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That’s beautiful. I remember being frisked when visiting a synagogue in Berlin. I’ve visited a couple here in Glasgow and, thankfully, it isn’t seen as necessary here. Long may that continue.
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The Jewish Museum here has full scale airport-style screening, trays and all. It always startles me, although I can understand the fear. Is this at all similar to the synagogues you’ve visited?
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Yes, I think the museum in Berlin has similar security features. One if the synagogues I visited in Glasgow no longer exists. It had some wonderful modern stained glass. The other one I remember being similar to this inside but very different outside. It fits in with the local architecture as I suspect this one does too.
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Local architecture with Jewish symbolism I think.
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I’ve never been to a synagogue, even though there’s one here in town. I doubt it’s as beautiful as this one, thanks for showing me, I’d love to go there.
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A first for me too – I have never been inside a synagogue.
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