Historic Radzanow Synagogue in Poland Set for Restoration and Museum Use

The historic synagogue in the village of Radzanow, Poland, which was used as a fertilizer warehouse and library after the local Jewish community was largely exterminated in the Holocaust, is slated for full restoration. A new agreement was signed between the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland (FODZ) and the Plock Museum, under which the building will be leased to the museum for 75 years. The museum will raise funds, renovate the structure, and establish a new branch to serve local residents and attract tourists.

Constructed in the early 20th century and owned by the foundation since 2004, the synagogue is one of the few remaining Neo-Moorish synagogues in Poland. Its current condition is very poor due to a lack of significant repairs over the years, aside from limited support from community activists and local officials, including Marshal Adam Struzik and Mayor Przemyslaw Pekoszewski. The village of Radzanow now has a population of about 750 residents.

Meir Bulka, chairman of J-nerations, an organization dedicated to preserving Jewish heritage in Europe, commented on the agreement, calling the synagogue one of the most beautiful and impressive buildings in the area. He described his visit last winter as heartbreaking, highlighting how neglect erases the history of Polish Jewry. While welcoming the restoration efforts, Bulka expressed regret that the synagogue will serve a different purpose since the Jewish community no longer exists there.