- This is a sub-article to Synagogues of Kraków
The Wolf Popper Synagogue (Polish: Synagoga Poppera (Bociana)), located in Kraków, Poland, was a place of worship from its founding in 1620 until 1965. It used to be one of the most splendid Jewish houses of prayer in the old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. The Synagogue was founded by the eponymous Wolf Popper. Its entrance was once adorned with openwork doors depicting four animals: an eagle, a leopard, a lion, and a buck deer, which symbolize the main traits of a devout man. The synagogue, featuring porches, annexes, Aron Kodesh, rich furniture and decorations,[1] went into a decline not long after the passing of its founder and chief benefactor. At present, Popper Synagogue serves as bookshop and also as an art gallery in the women's area upstairs.[2]
Wolf Popper, nicknamed "The Stork" for having been able to stand on one leg when lost in deep thought, founded the synagogue in 1620.[1] He financed its construction towards the end of his life. Popper made his fortune in large-scale international trade in cloth and saltpetre (main ingredient in the making of gunpowder), and eventually became Kazimierz's richest banker with a fortune reaching 200,000 zloty, making him one of the richest men in Europe.[2]
The Popper family lost much of its wealth following Wolf Popper's death in main part due to historical wars, local epidemics, fires, and costly tributes of allegiance. The once-grand synagogue never again enjoyed the wealth of its original sponsor, who was the only person that could prevent its slow but unrelenting decline.[2] The rich interior was destroyed by the Nazis during World War II.[3] Its arabesque doors were moved to the Wolfson Museum in Jerusalem.
In 1965, the Jewish Council handed over the building to the communist authorities. In the ensuing renovation, most traces of its previous religious role were erased and the Old Town Youth Cultural Centre (YCC) was established in its place.[1][2] At present, the Centre is a vibrant and busy place with long-running programs, educational activities, art studio, and classes in Jewish dance. The YCC Study Workshop on Jewish History and Culture, is an initiative that began in 1995 as the first of its kind in Poland. Art classes are designed to widen the students' knowledge of symbolism and artistic motifs in Jewish art. An annual competition in art and photography is being held there as well as lectures on Jewish Kazimierz, the Holocaust, and a series of film showings.[1]
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Transcription
Notable members
- Family of Edward Mosberg
See also
- Culture of Kraków
- History of Jews in Poland
- Chronology of Jewish Polish history
- Synagogues of Kraków
- Remuh Synagogue
- Tempel Synagogue
- Old Synagogue (Krakow)
- Izaak Synagogue
- High Synagogue (Kraków)
- Kupa Synagogue
Notes
- ^ a b c d "Jewish Krakow - Wolf Popper". 2008-02-14. Archived from the original on 2008-02-14. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ a b c d Adam Mickiewicz Institute, The Popper Synagogue
- ^ Jewish Virtual Library, Bociana or Popper’s Synagogue - ul Szeroka 16
References
- Marek Strzala, Synagogues of the Kazimierz district
- Aneta Kalemba, Poland: Online presentation
- Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons' Foundation, "Exploring the Synagogues of Poland" from the Internet Archive
- The Jewish Community of Krakow
- The New York Times, Sir Isaac and Lady Edith Wolfson Museum In Heichal Shlomo, King George St., Jerusalem
- The Wolfson Museum King George Street, Jerusalem
50°03′08.8″N 19°56′55.5″E / 50.052444°N 19.948750°E
This page was last edited on 1 May 2024, at 11:46