Otwock. They extracted fragments of the Goldberg synagogue columns

Fragments of columns from the Goldberg synagogue in Otwock, discovered during archaeological research conducted last year, were extracted. Will be examined in detail and subjected to maintenance. The works were carried out under the supervision of conservation services.

Archaeological research was conducted last year, after During earthworks, polychrome columns and wall remains were unearthed during earthworks The Goldberg synagogue demolished in 1940. Survivors were secured and deposited at the former Museum of the Otwock region.

“Today, fragments of columns from the Goldberg synagogue in Otwock were taken from the ground, which were discovered during archaeological research conducted last year. The extracted columns, on which fragments of polychrome have survived, will now be examined in detail and maintained. monuments.

Archaeological works on the site of the former Goldberg synagogue in Otwock

She housed 650 faithful

The synagogue was built in 1927 at Warszawska Street, on the initiative and funds of Szloma and Chaim Goldberg. Its designer was the Polish architect Eugenia Jabłońska. There was room for 650 faithful in the building.

“The pre -war Otwock was an extraordinary city for many reasons. One of them was that the mayors from the windows of their office were not seen by the city market, not the church, but the synagogue. Located at Warsaw Street, exactly opposite the town hall, the temple was a decoration of the area. Established in a style referring to the later Renaissance, it was richly decorated, The columns and stained glass windows to the entire height.

Columns and remains of walls discovered in Otwock

The synagogue did not serve only religious cult. “In addition to ordinary services, there were also celebrations related to national holidays or important events that took place in interwar Poland. It was in this synagogue that services were held on the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of May 3 or regaining independence. Also in this synagogue, a mourning service after the death of Józef Piłsudski was celebrated,” Rakowski said.

Arson and demolition

In October 1939, the synagogue was set on fire by German soldiers who forbade firefighters to extinguish the fire. Torah scrolls were saved, but the fire destroyed the science house and the library.

In 1940 the burned building was demolished. After the end of World War II, it was not rebuilt.

– When the walls were demolished, the area after the synagogue was leveled. For years, he touched with grass, trees and shrubs. So the remains of the synagogue remained to this day – said Sebastian Rakowski, historian, president of the Otwock Friends Society and a collaborator of the Social Committee for the Ottopian Jews.