Article Jubilee (Jerusalem) Synagogue
A building like from a fairy tale of One Thousand and One Nights
Just a few steps from Prague's Main Station on Jeruzalémská Street is the Jubilee Synagogue, also known as the Jerusalem Synagogue, which is one of the most important and beautiful synagogues in Prague. The distinctive Moorish arches, rosette and red-and-white stripes of stone and a lot of colors illuminate the entire Jeruzalémská Street.
Since its dedication on September 16, 1906, religious services have been held continuously in the synagogue, with the only exception being during the German occupation, when a warehouse for confiscated Jewish property was set up there. Thanks to this, it was spared devastation.
Architecture
The synagogue was built in the Moorish style with Art Nouveau elements according to the design of the Viennese architect Wilhelm Stiassný. The facade from Jeruzalémská Street is decorated with a massive Islamic arch with a Star of David and the Hebrew inscription „This is the gate of the Lord, through which the righteous enter.“
The interior is distinguished by its rich decoration, especially the colorful stained glass windows and ornaments. The interior of the synagogue is spacious and airy, with a dominant Torah ark and an extensive women's gallery.
Moorish style
The building is an interesting mix of Art Nouveau and Moorish style (the Islamic style of North Africa). This neo-Moorish style has been preserved in very few buildings in the Czech Republic. For example, on the minaret in Lednice https://www.gigaplaces.com/…cky-minaret/
Large interior space
The ground plan of the building is a three-nave structure with two transverse wings. The long interior space of the synagogue is divided by two rows of seven Islamic arches, supporting the women's gallery.
The synagogue has 850 seats and a separate balcony for women, making it the largest synagogue in the Prague Jewish community.
Interior
The interior is a diverse mix of Moorish elements with detailed Art Nouveau painting. The ground floor and gallery are lit by large stained glass windows. The walls are decorated with Moorish arabesques and wrought iron chandeliers hang from the ceiling.
Tabernacle
The space is closed on the northeast side by a tabernacle decorated with a relief of a vine and the tablets of the Ten Commandments. In front of it is a lectern for prayers and Torah reading.
History
The synagogue was built in 1905–1906 as a replacement for three synagogues (Cikánova, Velkodvorská and Nová) that were demolished during the clean-up of the Prague Jewish ghetto. It was originally called the Jubilee Church of Emperor Franz Joseph in memory of the fiftieth anniversary of his reign. After World War I, the current name Jerusalem Synagogue slowly took hold, after the street on which it is located.
Services
The Jubilee Synagogue holds regular services, especially on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. The synagogue is open to the public and serves as an important place of meeting and prayer for Prague's Jewish community.
Original organ
During regular concerts, visitors can listen to the uniquely preserved original organ from the workshop of Emanuel Štěpán Petr. It has 24 stops in two manuals. Interestingly, the instrument was originally powered by an electric motor designed by František Křižík.
Signboard
In the main nave, to the left of the entrance, there is an inscription plaque transferred from the demolished Cikán Synagogue (demolished in May 1906).
Why the Jubilee Synagogue
The synagogue was named Jubilee in honor of the 50th anniversary of the reign of Franz Joseph I, which fell in 1898. Therefore, in the vestibule there is a commemorative plaque with a dedication to Emperor Franz Joseph I.
Interestingly, it is one of the few emperor's monuments that was preserved in the Czech lands even after the establishment of the republic.
Exhibition "The Jewish Community from 1945 to Today"
On many picture panels in the women's gallery, it is possible to learn about the post-war history of the Jewish community in Prague through unique photographs. Jews who survived the German occupation were often subjected to communist persecution.
Exhibition of Jewish monuments and their reconstruction
The exhibition shows the history of the restoration of Jewish cemeteries and synagogues after 1989. It shows 64 locations on ten panels and approaches the issue of repairing often neglected Jewish monuments.
