Beiteinu Chaj – 2004 Foundation

Here are some recent photos from the work going on inside the Synagogue over the past months, as well as two photos of the exterior. We are very pleased with the progress, and as you can see the renovations have truly recaptured the beauty, dignity and historical richness of the Synagogue. They will make the Synagogue an even more suitable and meaningful setting for our Jewish cultural events and religious observations.

Particularly moving for all of us is that with the cooperation of the local Jewish Club, the Synagogue is once again home to the only original Chanukah Menora known to have been in the Synagogue in the entire Post-World War II era. We are thrilled with this. The Menora had fallen into disrepair over the decades – so this creates a further project for us to restore it.

Other photos show a recently acquired chandelier. We now have four such lamps hanging from the Synagogue’s ceiling, and we are looking for two additional lamps which, when hung, will complete a Star of David pattern.

On Saturday, August 3, we were also very pleased to host a visit by Israel’s Ambassador to Poland, Mr. Zvi Ravner, and his wife Diti. This was the second visit to the Synagogue by Mr. Ravner, a native of Poland who was born in Swidnica, near Dzierzoniow, emigrating to Israel when he was aged 5. He also served as vice-ambassador to the United Kingdom before appointment to his current position.

Mr. Ravner’s early August visit to us was part of a tour in which he visited Wroclaw and participated in a reunion of people born in Swidnica, who gathered from all over the world. Following their Synagogue visit, the Ravners attended a private dinner with Synagogue members in a very nice local restaurant. Mr. Ravner said he was impressed with the progress made on the Synagogue.

We are very pleased to report that the concert performed in our synagogue by the Wrocław Synagogue Choir  was a beautiful, moving and successful event. More than 140 people attended the 90-minute performance. After days of rainy and cloudy weather, it was a beautiful day for the concert. The Wrocław Synagogue Choir performed for more than 90 minutes.

All of us thank the performers and the choir organization from the bottom of our hearts!

Choir – gallery view

Choir – main floor view

There is a new video material related to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Commemoration. To watch these videos please click here.

We apologize that this post was so late in coming, due to the health issues of some of our contributors, but we would like to comment on the recently posted photos, below.

On April 19, 2013 two events were held to commemorate the Jewish uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943. The first, outdoor event was an initiative by local Polish people, including school teachers and pupils, as well as the local library, in cooperation with the Jewish association of Poland and the Synagogue foundation.

The pupils are visible preparing the yellow paper floral arrangement, as the symbol of the Ghetto uprising.

Following the outdoor event there was a commemorative service at the Synagogue, attended by approximately 130 people.

Separately, the Synagogue was honoured to host Mrs. Ellen-Germain, the Consul-General for the United States, and Mrs. Iwona Sadecka, the cultural attaché for the United States consulate in Kiev, Ukraine. Both women are visible in pictures 8 and 9.