Beit Medrash Hagadol Synagogue

The Beit Medrash Hagadol Synagogue (Lithuanian: Beit Midrash Hagadol sinagoga), also known as the White Synagogue of Jonava (Lithuanian: Jonavos Baltoji sinagoga),[3] is a former Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 3 Sodų Street, in Jonava, in the Kaunas District Municipality of Lithuania.

Beit Medrash Hagadol Synagogue
(White Synagogue of Jonava)
Lithuanian: Beit Midrash Hagadol sinagoga
(Lithuanian: Jonavos Baltoji sinagoga)
The former synagogue in 2011
Religion
AffiliationJudaism (former)
RiteNusach Ashkenaz
Ecclesiastical or organisational status
StatusAbandoned
Location
Location3 Sodų Street, Jonava, Kaunas District Municipality
CountryLithuania
Beit Medrash Hagadol Synagogue is located in Jonava
Beit Medrash Hagadol Synagogue
Location of the former synagogue in Jonava
Geographic coordinates55°4′9″N 24°16′22″E / 55.06917°N 24.27278°E / 55.06917; 24.27278
Architecture
TypeSynagogue architecture
Style
Completedc. 1850
MaterialsBrick
[1][2]

Designed in the Historicist Baroque Revival style, the building was completed in c. 1850 and operated as a synagogue until it was devastated by Nazis during World War II. The building was subsequently used for profane purposes, however has since been abandoned.[1]

History

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In 1941 80% of Jonava's population was Jewish and town had seven synagogues.[4] The Beit Medrash Hagadol Synagogue together with the Jonava Synagogue of Merchants are the only remaining synagogues in the town; and both are not in use. The Beit Medrash Hagadol Synagogue was one of the two biggest synagogues in Jonava. The main synagogue, called the Red Synagogue of Jonava, that was located next to Beit Midrash Hagadol, was destroyed by Nazis, along with the other synagogues.[5][3]

In 2015 Beit Medrash Hagadol Synagogue of Jonava was listed in on a register of cultural values.[3]

The appearance of the former synagogue in 2011 differed significantly from its original 1850's appearance. New windows were installed, external decorations were removed, and the interior has not survived. After World War II, a bakery was established in the building, and it was later sold to private interests.[2] The ruins of a mikveh are located nearby.[6]

See also

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The former synagogue, in 1880

References

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  1. ^ a b "Great Beit Midrash in Jonava". Historic Synagogues of Europe. Foundation for Jewish Heritage and the Center for Jewish Art at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. n.d. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Synagoga (ul. Vlniaus/Sodų)" [Synagogue (Vlniaus/Sodų Street)]. Virtual Shtetl (in Polish). Warsaw: POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Žydų paveldo objektų Jonavoje žemėlapis" (PDF). Jonava Museum (in Lithuanian). August 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  4. ^ "Jonava". zydai.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  5. ^ Melamed, Frances. "Janova". KehiliaLinks. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  6. ^ "Mykwa przy ul. Sodų 19" [Mikvah at 19 Sodų Street]. Virtual Shtetl (in Polish). Warsaw: POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
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