Sejny Synagogue

The Sejny synagogue is a former synagogue in Sejny, Poland, also called the White Synagogue in Sejny.

White synagogue in Sejny

History

The large, Neo-baroque style building on Pilsudskiego Street was erected in the 1860s, replacing an older building. It was used by the Nazis as a fire station, the interior was gutted and all furnishings were destroyed. It was restored - with a plain, modern interior - in 1987 and now serves as a cultural center, theater and museum.[1]

Called the Borderland Foundation (Fundacja Pogranicze), the foundation and its cultural center are dedicated to the cultures of the region: Polish, Lithuanian, Belarussian, Jewish, Ukrainian and Russian. A Klezmer band is based at the cultural center.

The nineteenth century yeshiva building also survives, and is also used by the Borderland Foundation.

Images
  • Nineteenth century postcard of Sejny synagogue and yeshiva:
  • Borderland Foundation:

References
  1. Survey of Historic Jewish Monuments in Poland, Samuel Gruber and Phyllis Myers, Report to the Presidents Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, Jewish Heritage Council World Monuments Fund, Nov. 1995, p. 46

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