Wooden Synagogues of Poland in the 17th and 18th Century: Zabludow

Wooden Synagogues of Poland in the 17^th and 18^th Century

David Dawidowicz: Synagogues in Poland and their Destruction

The models were based on the thorough and comprehensive research of the famous architects and researchers: Maria and Kazimierz Piechotka, Warszawa, Poland.

ZABLUDOW

A small town in the province of Bialystok, Jews settled in Zabludow at the end of the 16^th c.

The synagogue, built of Oak tree, was probably erected in 1635 and was renovated and enlarged in 1765. It was burnt by the Germans during the Second World War.

Its dimensions: 20x18m, height: 14m

The synagogue was considered one of the most beautiful in Poland. It had a meeting room for the community's committees in the southern tower, whose walls were covered with little painted flowers on light green and bronze background. The gallery over the entrance to the men's synagogue, with interior stairs, was probably a "Heder" (school for children). The women's sections were at the northern and southern parts of the ground floor as well as at the second floor in the front.

"The most beautiful work of art at the Zabludow synagogue is, certainly, the Ark of the Law on the wall facing the main entrance. It is made of oak and pinewood, its width is more than 1.5 meters and its height is 9.25 meters.
We are drawn by three little oak carved gilded ornaments:
the door, the central ornament and the seven branched candelabrum decorated with floral motifs. This furniture is really a fine piece of art done in the style of the Italian Rennaissance."
I M. Bersohn.