Hundreds of Jewish objects

Near Krakow, there is a synagogue that was destroyed by the Nazis during World War II, only now hundreds of Jewish objects have been found there. They were hidden in a box under the floor and remained untouched for decades.

Inside, there was a large amount of silverware. The crate was found during a structural survey of the synagogue, which was destroyed by the Nazis, but was later restored. The box, measuring 80x70x130 centimeters, was filled with about 350 items, including a silver cup withfloral designs, bronze vases with inscriptions in Hebrew and silver-plated candlesticks.

The box also contained two nine-branched candlesticks, where they are lit during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. But also two Torah attachments, which are called rimonim in Hebrew. In addition, decorative silver plaques and a chain with a pointer, which was used to read the Torah. The frame of the box has been affected by time, and is rotten in places. But the items inside were in good condition.

Most of them, according to experts, date from the 19th century and were used during religious ceremonies. But there were other items in the box. For example, eighteen badges from the military caps of infantry officers in the Austro-Hungarian army. The badges bear the initials of Emperor Franz Joseph, who ruled from 1848 to 1916. One possible explanation for why they were in the box may be the protection of the ritual objects at the time they were packed and hidden in the synagogue. "Whole hats were probably placed in the box, but the fabric disintegrated over time and only the badges remained," archaeologist Michał Wojenka believes.

When the box was hidden in the synagogue and who did so still remains a mystery. However, by further examining the artifacts, experts could find the necessary clues. Indeed, ritual objects often bear the names of the people who donated them. The items probably belonged to someone from the Jewish community in the town of Wieliczka (Velička) near Kraków, where the synagogue is located.

Wieliczka is located in the south of Poland. According to records from the 12th century, 1135 Jews lived in this town. However, most of the community was deported and murdered during World War II, and only a few survivors returned to Wieliczka after the war, according to local chronicles. This town is famous for having one of the oldest working salt mines, which has been in use since prehistoric times.

Source: www.livescience.com, www.algemeiner.com