Obj. ID: 46191 Holocaust Memorial Plaque at the Old Upper Synagogue in Mikulov, Czech Republic, 2014
Who is Commemorated?
Jewish citizens of Mikulov, victims of the Holocaust
Description:
A rectangular bronze plaque is set in a wall of the exterior entrance porch of the synagogue. A depiction is low relief of a metalwork seven-branched menorah fills the panel with commemorative Czech text on each side of the menorah stands, and the Hebrew letters תנצבה set between the menorah's feet. The letters are an abbreviation for "תְּהֵא נַפְשׁוֹ / נַפְשָׁהּ צְרוּרָה בִּצְרוֹר הַחַיִּים" a paraphrase of what Saul's daughter Abigail told David in Samuel I 25:29, meaning “May his/her soul be bound up in the bond of life," and a traditional phrase to be inscribed on a grave or on a memorial.
In a small, raised circle in the lower right corner are the initials “Z. R..” probably the initials of the artist or foundry.
Inscriptions
In Czech:
PAMÁTCE ŽIDOVSKÝCH
OBCANŮ MIKULOVA,
OBĔTÍ NACISTICKÉ
PERZEKUCE V LETECH 1939-45
Translation: In memory of Jewish / citizens of Mikulov / victims of Nazi / persecution during years 1939 - 45
In Hebrew:
תנצבה
Translation: May their souls be bound up in the bond of life
4 image(s)
The oldest, and only remaining Jewish religious building in Mikulov is the Upper Synagogue (also known as the Old or Home synagogue). The synagogue was built in 1550. And a ground-floor women's prayer room was built onto the south side in 1688 and 1689. After a fire in 1719 the synagogue was rebuilt and renovated. The main hall was covered by four Baroque domes, joined by a four-columned support which forms the canopy over the bimah from which the Torah is read. The reconstruction was probably directed by Johann Christian Oedtl, an architect in the service of the Dietrichsteins. The Aron ha-Kodesh was built by sculptor Ignaz Lengelacher. The Synagogue was used for religious services until 1938, after which the building was devastated during the Nazi occupation and neglected under Communism. In the 1980s, the Mikulov museum rebuilt the structure for use as an exhibition and concert hall. In 2014 the synagogue was fully restored. The plaque probably dates from this time.
"Památce židovských obcanu Mikulova - Mikulov, Czech Republic," Waymarking, https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMMFK6_Pamtce_idovskch_obcanu_Mikulova_Mikulov_Czech_Republic (accessed December 26, 2022)