A Former Shtetl in the Carpathians

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Southern Bukovina

Once again, we tried to visit the New Jewish cemetery of Suceava – this time with success. Then we went on to Gura Humorului, a former shtetl in the Carpathians. A trip back into the winter and into the past.

Suceava – New Jewish Cemetery

Gura Humorului Synagogue

Gura Humorului

Gura Humorului – Jewish Cemetery

Gura Humorului – Jewish Cemetery – tomb of Sars Schmidt

Gura Humorului – Jewish Cemetery – Angela Maria

Gura Humorului – Jewish Cemetery

Mănăstirea Humorului

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The Jewish Cemeteries of Suceava

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Southern Bukovina

A rainy day in Suceava. Despite cold and wetness, we decided to explore the traces of the Jewish past of the city today. Five Jewish cemeteries are preserved. We tried to find them – mostly successful.

Hand-painted eggs from Suceava Easter market

Suceava Temple Synagogue

Suceava – closed gate of the Old Jewish Cemetery

Suceava – Old Jewish Cemetery

Suceava – New Jewish Cemetery

Burdujani New Jewish Cemetery

Itcani New Jewish Cemetery

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A last excursion to Galicia

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues

Again, I was travelling with Vasyl and Renata. I highly appreciate both of them – because of their kindness and because of their excellent knowledge of local history. My journey is slowly coming to an end and it was a final opportunity to explore Galicia during this trip. Olesko and Busk were the places we went to.

Olesko Jewish cemetery

Olesko synagogue

Olesko castle

Busk synagogue

Busk Jewish cemetery

Busk Jewish cemetery – mass grave site

Busk Jewish cemetery

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An excursion to Ostroh

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues, Volhynia (Volyn)

The synagogue of Ostroh is in a sad state. However, the Jewish cemetery was found in surprisingly good condition during my today’s visit. I have rarely seen such a well-kept Jewish cemetery in Ukraine.

Ostroh synagogue

Ostroh Jewish cemetery

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Krakow in black and white

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Western Galicia

Today I received the scans of the films shot during the recent trip to Krakow. Without further comments I post here a first selection of pictures. They were taken on a foggy day at the two Jewish cemeteries of the city and at the site of former Plaszow concentration camp. If you like to learn more about the trip you should read the posts from October 30 and November 1.

Krakow – Old Jewish Cemetery

Krakow – New Jewish Cemetery

Krakow – Plaszow concentration camp site

Krakow – No Sentimental Journey

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues, Western Galicia

In Krakow, my love to Eastern Europe and its Jewish heritage begun about 20 years ago. Since then I have been there again and again. Last weekend I was back in Krakow. Much has changed since my first visit. Krakow is now a city of mass tourism and it is also the Jewish past and present, which attracts visitors from all over the world.

Krakow – Old Jewish Cemetery

Krakow – wall painting in Isaac Synagogue

Krakow – Temple Synagogue

Krakow – shop sign of a hat maker

Krakow – New Jewish Cemetery

In Krakow, my love to Eastern Europe and its Jewish heritage begun about 20 years ago. Since then I have been there again and again. Last weekend I was back in Krakow. Much has changed since my first visit. Krakow is now a city of mass tourism and it is also the Jewish past, which attracts visitors from all over the world. https://vanishedworld.wordpress.com/2014/10/30/krakow-no-sentimental-journey/

Krakow – Beit Midrash (study house) in Kazimierz

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The work-camp, that was held nevertheless

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

The editors of “Die Stimme” (The Voice)–the monthly bulletin of the Bukovinian Jews–were recently so kind to publish my report on this year’s work-camp of SVIT Ukraine to clear the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz). Even today, “Die Stimme” is published in German in Israel. It moves me every time when I pull a new edition out of my letter box. But it also has the disadvantage that many can not read the articles any more. Therefore, here is an English translation of my report.

Michel – photo by Antek

Kristina – photo by Antek

Felicity – photo by Antek

Marcin – photo by Antek

photo by Antek

This year’s volunteers in Czernowitz – photo by Antek

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Uhniv, Buchach and Hrymailiv in black and white

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues

The black and white films and scans from my recent trip to Ukraine are back from the photo lab. The synagogue and the Beit Midrash (House of Study) in Uhniv, the Jewish cemetery in Buchach and the imposing synagogue in Hrymailiv are among the subjects. Here is a first selection.

Uhniv – Synagogue and Beit Midrash (House of Study)

Buchach – Jewish cemetery

Hrymailiv – synagogue

Under a Blue Sky

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries

When I woke up the sky was deep blue, the weather report promised 35 degrees. I decided to stay in the city and to walk to the Jewish cemetery and the nearby former concentration camp site. It was a sad walk.

Lviv Jewish cemetery

Janowska concentration camp site

Lviv Jewish cemetery

Janowska concentration camp site

Temporary memorial to the war in the east of the country

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A day in Czernowitz, an afternoon with the volunteers

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

The Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz) is an enchanted garden. In his jungle you meet lions, deer, blessing hands, and people who are long gone. This morning I had some time to explore it once again. Even after many visits, it is a fascinating place to me. The cemetery tells of rise and fall of Jewish Czernowitz. I spent the afternoon with the volunteers of SVIT Ukraine who work in the cemetery.