Last night — June 4-5 — was the sixth edition of the “7@Nite” or “Night of the Synagogues” in Krakow, a wonderful initiative where all seven of the synagogues in the historic Jewish district, Kazimierz, were opened to the public, for free, from 10:15 pm until 2:30 a.m.
Jewish Heritage Europe Coordinator Ruth Ellen Gruber was able to attend this year, for the first time since she attended the first edition of the event in 2011. She wasn’t able to make it to all the venues, but we are posting here some photos of the places she did visit.
As has become a tradition, the night began with an open-air Havdalah ceremony, ending Shabbos and beginning the week, held from the roof of the Krakow Jewish Community Center (JCC). Organizers estimated that 1,400 people crowded into the JCC courtyard. JCC executive director Jonathan Ornstein urged them to enjoy their visits to the synagogues, stating that “the Jewish heritage of Krakow does not just belong to the Jews but to all of us. As Cracovians, be proud.”
Each of the synagogues hosted an exhibit, performance, film or other event highlighting contemporary Jewish culture, both in Poland and elsewhere around the world. And there were associated events in other venues, such as the JCC, the Galicia Jewish Museum and the Cheder cafe.
There was a photographic exhibit on Ethiopian Jews in the Izaak synagogue; the Tempel synagogue hosted a performance by the American rapper Kosha Dillz; in the High synagogue there was an multi-media presentation about India; the Remuh synagogue featured a video presentation about Israel; in the Kupa synagogue there was a photo and interview exhibit about Jews in Poland today; the Popper synagogue hosted an art workshop; and the Old synagogue (a Jewish historical museum) featured free entrance to its current exhibit about the Jewish community in Krakow since 1945.
The event was organized by the JCC, the America Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and the Krakow Jewish religious communal organization (gmina), which worked in partnership with several other local Jewish or Jewish-oriented institutions and organizations.
Some of the synagogues attracted more than 2,000 visitors, with long lines of people waiting to get in. Organizers said it was impossible to say what the total number was, as it was not possible to determine how many people visited more than one venue.
The overwhelming number of visitors were young people — also because the Kazimierz district, where the synagogues are located, is a center of youth-oriented nightlife, and pubs and cafes were full on this summery Saturday night.
Click to visit the 7@Nite web site
5 comments on “Krakow: 7@Nite – Night of the Synagogues”
Wonderful event. Wish I could have been there.
it would be wonderful to know how many of the young people were there because they had learned that in fact they had a Jewish grand parent or other family member and what this meant for them
Lovely, and real time photographs, Ms Gruber. It looks like a lot of work has been completed in the past year. I’m looking forward to being able to stand on the sanctuary floor [of the Remuh synagogue].
Yes, the frescoes were discovered (or at least uncovered) during renovation work that was completed not long ago. It looks like a different place in many ways!
Great event and great photographs which give a taste of what a lovely night it must have been. Wish I could have been there!