The Zabludow synagogue was likely built about 1638. It was built of larch wood without the use of nails,and had a remarkable three story roof. It was renovated and enlarged in 1765. It was widely considered to have a high place among the Jewish cultural treasures of Poland. Many consider the Ark of the law to to be it's most beautiful feature. The ark was built of oak and pine. It's width was 1.5 meters, and it's height was 9.5 meters. Many photographs and drawings have survived. Until the 1920's it was a local custom that when a hole appeared in the wall of the very old synagogue it would be stuffed with an old tallit (prayer shawl). It was considered an honor for a Zabludow Jew when his tallit was chosen to be used in this manner. The practice was banned and the tallits removed by order ofthe Preservation Bureau due to the increased danger of fire. The Zabludow synagogue was burned by German Wermacht troops along with most of the town on Thursday June 26, 1941. The last Rabbi of Zabludow was Rabbi Joachan Mirsky. He was severely beaten by German troops on one of the first days of the German occupation. He and his family were deported from the Bialystok ghetto to the Pruzany ghetto, then to Auschwitz where they were murdered in February 1943.
Testimony on the destruction of the Zabludow Synagogue:
"Only the very old synagogue still stood, the fire didn't touch it. Me and my father, may he rest in peace, are looking, wondering, and imagining- it's a miracle! It was but an illusion, suddenly the Nazi hooligans, may their name and memory be erased pulled up in a car. They spilled gasoline around the very old synagogue, and they lit it on fire. . . that is how the very famous Zabludow Synagogue was erased from the earth."
Phinia Korovski
Quoted from the Zabludow Yizkor BookClick here to read, "Our Ancient Synagogue in Zabludow" by Michael Lifshitz, 1925 Click here to learn all about the Zabludow Synagogue Bimah Click here to read Mina Baron-Gellerstein's Zabludow Synagogue folklore
Click here to view photos 3d digital model of the Zabludow Synagogue
Click here to learn about Handshouse Studio Zabludow Synagogue Workshop, April 2004 Click here to read about "Annihilated Heritage" exhibition Click here for Krzysztof Radziwill 1634 document allowing Zabludow Jews to build a Synagogue
Click here to locate and see the Synagogue property in Zabludow today
Click to Enlarge
1920's photo
Ark of Law
1920's drawing.
Bimah
Roof paintings
Synagogue front
Interior
Prince Wilhelm Visit
Students from the Bialystok Hebrew Gymnasium visit the old synagogue, 1930'S
Part of Zabludow Synagogue Women's gallery
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Web: 2003 Tilford Bartman
