Approx. 700 postcards with drawings and photographs of synagogues from all over the world. Europe, USA, Palestine, North Africa and elsewhere, late 19th century to mid-20th century (a few later postcards).
The collection shows synagogues in dozens of cities, from Eastern Europe to its west – in Russia, Hungary, Romania, Germany, France, Belgium, England, Holland, Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, and elsewhere; in many states of the USA; in Palestine, the countries of the Mediterranean Basin and North Africa; and other countries around the world – from Hong Kong to the western coast of the USA, from Latvia to South Africa. In some of the postcards, the synagogue is the main theme, whereas others depict the general view of the city or its outstanding buildings including the synagogue. Most of the postcards depict the exterior of the synagogues; a few depict their interior or details of the interior.
The collection contains dozens of postcards with photographs or drawings of synagogues in the USA – from impressive and eclectic buildings in Western-European style, to simple, modest building in small towns.
Most of the German synagogues depicted in this collection do not exist anymore; most of them were burned down by the Nazis. However, many of the East-European synagogues were not destroyed during the Holocaust yet were abandoned after it, ravaged by time or converted for other uses. Several synagogues in North Africa were turned into mosques after the Jewish communities left.
The collection contains approx. 120 undivided postcards and several printed cards that are not postcards.
Size and condition vary.