Synagogue

The Synagogue, designed by architect Moshe Safdie, serves as a place where visitors can say kaddish (the memorial prayer) for beloved departed ones, where individuals can gather in silent prayer or join a traditional minyan in the communal atmosphere of a synagogue. Thirty-one distinct items are on display, including four Torah Arks, and various other Judaica from throughout Europe.

The four arks, all of which come from Romania, were brought to Yad Vashem with the support of the late Prof. Nicolae Cajal, then president of the Federation of the Jewish Communities in Romania and with the backing of the Romanian government. The main functioning Torah Ark’s façade is from Barlad, Romania. In addition, there are ritual articles from Poland, Greece, Transnistria, Germany and Slovakia.

“The Yad Vashem synagogue serves as a memorial to the destroyed places of worship of European Jewry. It is a testimonial to the indestructible faith, the rich spiritual world of European Jewry and the extraordinary will of the Jewish people to survive, to remember and to rebuild,” said Avner Shalev, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate.