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Isaac Synagogue
This synagogue was funded by one of the wealthiest merchants of 17th century Kraków, Isaac Jakubowicz, at the behest of his wife, Brandla. It was intended to be an expression of thanks for the good fortune and luck enjoyed by Jakubowicz and his family.
There are two legends inextricably tied to the synagogue. The first revolves around a miraculous dream that Jakubowicz had when he was young and impoverished. He dreamed that there was a treasure buried under a bridge in Prague. He eventually found a way to make it to Prague, but the bridge about which he had dreamed was surrounded by soldiers and there was no way to go about looked for his treasure. Young Isaac decided to tell a soldier about his dream. The soldier eventually burst into laughter, and replied that he, too, had dreamed of a treasure, but that in his dream the treasure was located under the stove of Isaac, some Jew from Kazimierz. The soldier lamented that every other Jew in Kraków was probably named Isaac! Isaac returned to his home in Kraków, moved his stove, and found an enormous treasure, which allowed him to not only expand his factory, but also build the most beautiful synagogue in the city.
Majer Balaban recounted the second tale. After the opening of the synagogue, the residents of Kazimierz arrived in great numbers to admire its beauty, especially the richness of its silver and cloth furnishings, which were its most important ornamental accents. It was discovered, however, that a group of thieves from Kraków were planning to steal these riches. On the advice of Rabbi Heller, all of Kazimierz's city gates were closed, so that the only way into the city was through the Remuh cemetery. A group of strong, brave young men, dressed in canvas to mimic death shrouds and armed with clubs, was organized to hide between the graves to wait for the thieves. They waited all night for the bandits. When the finally arrived, at the site of the �phantoms� standing between the graves, the would-be robbers took flight and were chased by the "ghosts" to the cemetery's walls.
In 1638 Isaac Jakubowicz received permission to build his splendid synagogue, though it was not consecrated until 1644. The delay was caused by a several year dispute with the parish priest of the Corpus Christi Church who argued, according to Majer Balaban, that �many Catholics also live close to the synagogue, and, therefore, a priest might have to walk by it on his way to perform viaticum. After six years the conflict was resolved and the beautiful baroque synagogue was finally opened.
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The men's prayer hall, a 12 meter by 17 meter rectangular space, has a vaulted stucco ceiling that was most likely designed by Giovanni Falconi. The four arcades set aside for women are supported by light Tuscan columns. During renovations of 1924, the women's gallery was given its own entrance. One the reaches the double arcaded loggia with by way of a symmetrical gabled staircase.
Synagogue. Foto: J.J.
Unfortunately the beautiful interior and rich furnishings, on which Isaac Jakubowicz spared no expense, was only enjoyed for 12 years. It was first plundered during the Swedish invasion of 1656. Twenty-three years later during the Plague of 1679 the most valuable pieces from the synagogue were taken to Opatów for safe keeping, though many of them never returned. Even stripped of these elements, it remained the most impressive synagogue in Krakow for several centuries.
Inside the synagogue. Foto: J.J.
In 1939 the Nazis ordered Maximilian Redlich, a Jewish community official, to burn the synagogue's Torah. When he refused, he was shot dead on the spot in front of the main entrance. During their occupation, the Nazis plundered and destroyed the synagogue.
Rebuilt in the 1950s it was given to The Association of Polish Artists and Designers, who transformed it into a sculpting studio. After 1989 it was returned to the local Jewish administration, which has been overseeing its restoration. The Isaac Synagogue currently functions as museum of the extermination of Krakow's Jews.
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