Trzebinia synagogue sold to international group for Jewish restoration
A Polish synagogue has changed hands after a tender process, with plans to build a museum and hospitality center near a historic cemetery.
By Gabriela Flores ·
A historic synagogue in Trzebinia, Poland, was formally returned to the Jewish community on Tuesday. The acquisition marks the end of a period of neglect for the building, which is located in the Silesian region. The new owners intend to restore the structure to its original function and develop adjacent facilities for visitors.
The property was put up for sale by the municipality after the Jewish community of Katowice relinquished its right to reclaim the building. A consortium of partners entered the tender process specifically to prevent the site from becoming a non-Jewish venue. Their goal was to preserve the building's status as a site of Jewish historical significance.
Three parties facilitated the purchase. Meir Bulka, an Israeli figure known as the Grave Hunter, led a delegation representing J-NERATIONS, an organization focused on preserving European Jewish heritage. He worked alongside Jacek Purski, director of the Auschwitz Research Center on Hate, Extremism and Radicalisation, and Marcin Majchrowicz, a local businessman and philanthropist. This collaboration ensured the property remained within the Jewish community.
Jews have inhabited Trzebinia since at least the 1500s, with a more substantial presence emerging from the 1700s. The city established an independent Jewish community in 1815. By 1921, Jews comprised 23% of the local population. During the interwar period, the city supported four synagogues, a Talmud Torah, yeshivas, and various charitable institutions. The Holocaust devastated this demographic, leading to the destruction of most community properties.
The surviving synagogue stands next to a cemetery containing the graves of several prominent religious leaders. These include Rabbi Dov Berish Weidenfeld, known as the Gaon of Tchebinas, and Rabbi Ben Zion Halberstam, the second Rebbe of Bobov. Bulka noted that the site is a 40-minute drive from Kraków. He stated that the project involves preserving the memory of an entire community, not just saving a building. Purski added that Jewish life is part of Poland's present and future.
The partners plan to use historical documentation and archaeological evidence to guide the restoration work. Their objective is to recreate the site's appearance before the Holocaust. They will build a Jewish museum and a hospitality center to serve visitors to the cemetery. A new foundation will be established in Poland in the coming days to manage the project. This entity will accept donations and investments from the public.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
