USOV SYNAGOGUE
PERMANET MUSEUM DISPLAY

Usov Synagogue, museum display and Jewish cemetery

The Usov synagogue was built in 1784 and was used for religious purposes until 1938. During the Kristallnacht Nazis burnt down its furnishings and also library and archives. Most members of the Jewish community escaped from Usov in late 1930s. Those who stayed perished in the Holocaust. After WWII the Jewish community was not renewed and the synagogue was sold to the Bohemian Brethren Evangelical Church, which used it as a prayer room. In 1993 Nina Hofmann from England bought back the building and transferred it to the Jewish community. Mrs. Hofmann’s Jewish ancestors used to live in Usov in 18th and 19th century. Renovation of the synagogue including the restoration of the original paintings and liturgical inscriptions on the wall took almost 15 years. The synagogue and museum display, which includes also Respect and Tolerance library and archives was reopened in June 2008 – seventy years after it was devastated during the Kristallnacht in 1938. Visitors can also view the Jewish cemetery which was founded in 17th century not far from synagogue.

Synagogue is now open for public daily except Mondays. During the school year it will be also used for educational school programs.

For guided tours and educational programs please call: 583 455 912, 775 264 206 cromstil@yahoo.com

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