Synagogues and Houses of Prayers
by Marianna Hoszowska
and Elaine Farran
The Great Synagogue on Jerozolimska Street
The synagogue is located at 29 Jerozolimska Street, in the eastern part of the town which was previously known as "The Great Village" (Wielka Wies) or "The Jewish Town of Piotrkow" (Zydowskie Miasto Piotrkow). The synagogue was built between 1791 and 1793 and was designed by David Friedlander and funded by Moses Kocyn. It was devastated by the Russians in 1854 and carefully renovated. Moorish decorations and women's galleries were added along the North and South walls. In 1868 the West fasade was rebuilt:, adding five meters in the front and two oriental towers.
Before the war, the main hall included a wooden decorative Torah Ark (Aron Ha-Kodesh or Hekhal), with sculptures of lions on its both sides. The lion sculptures were full-sized, standing on their back legs. They supported a gold Torah crown which was topped with an eagle with outspread wings. The Torah Ark was surrounded by sulptures of cherubs, floral ornaments with music instruments, and Hebrew inscriptions. The walls were decorated with vivid paintings, depicting Zodiac signs, the Western Wall in Jerusalem, etc. They were painted by David Goldstein from Grocholice. Other paintings on the North, South, and East walls were made by David Friedlander, probably in 1816.
During WWII the synagogue was devastated by the Nazis. It was reconstructed during 1964-1967, and since that time it's been used as a public library. A plaque commemorating the Jews of Piotrkow was unveiled in 1997.
Shaare Zion Synagogue, known as the "Deutsche Shul"
Shtibel of the Gerer Chassidim on Zamurowa Street
This synagogue was established in the 19th century by the Ger Chassidim, followers of tzaddikim of the Alter dynasty. It was located in a private apartment of Naftul Frankel on the second floor of the house. It consisted of several rooms.
Shtibel of the Aleksander Chassidim
This shtibl, located on Stara-Warszawska Street, was established in the 19th century by the followers of the tzaddikim from the Danziger dynasty. Next to the synagogal hall is a small yeshiva called Beis Israel.
Shtibel of the Radomsk Chassidim
Shtibel of the Amshinov Chassidim
This synagogue of the Amshinov (Mszczonow) Chassidim was located in a tenant house at the corner of Stara-Warszawska and Parna streets. It was established at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries by the followers of the tzaddikim from the Kalisz dynasty. The synagogue was devastated by the Nazis during WWII. Today its rooms are used for other purposes.
Many additional small houses of prayer existed in Piotrkow
This kehilalink was owned by Marianna Hoszowsk until 2014. It is now available for adoption. If you are willing to adopt this kehilalink, contact Kehilalinks Project coordinators.
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Created: 1 January 2014
Last Modified: 01-18-2020