1. Tribute to Architect Werner Seligmann scheduled for September 5, 1999

Temple Brith Sholom of Cortland, NY will host a tribute to the late Werner Seligmann, architect of the Temple building, on the 30th anniversary of its completion.  The program on Sunday, September 5, 1999, begins at 4:00 p.m. and will include a talk “Art of the Synagogue: The Designing of Temple Brith Sholom” by Bruce M. Coleman, Professor of Architecture, School of Architecture, Syracuse University.  Seligmann, who died on November 12, 1998, was a prominent master of modern architecture.  He was born on March 30, 1930 in Osnabrueck, Germany and survived the Nazi regime before coming to America in 1949.

Among Werner Seligmann's most celebrated works in his adopted country are his designs for two synagogues – Beth David in Binghamton, New York, and the intimate Brith Sholom synagogue in his hometown of Cortland, New York.  Beth David, built in 1960, won a Progressive Architecture award and was included in the influential Recent American Synagogue Architecture exhibition held at the Jewish Museum in New York in 1963.   His small Cortland synagogue, site of next month’s tribute, turns in on itself, and is reminiscent of small town synagogues in Seligmann’s native Germany -- albeit translated into a modern idiom.

Temple Brith Sholom is located at 117 Madison Street in Cortland, NY.  For directions call Janet Steck at (607) 753-7150.
 

2. Boskovice Great Synagogue, Site of Remarkable Wall Paintings, Seeks Funds to Complete Restoration

After nearly a decade of work the historic synagogue of Boskovice (Czech Republic) still needs funds to complete the restoration – but the end is in sight.  The Great Synagogue, one of three known to have been located in the (still well preserved ghetto), was returned to the Jewish Community of Brno as a result of 1994 legislation that returned approximately 200 Jewish communal properties throughout the Czech Republic to Jewish ownership.  The Jewish community of Brno and the municipality of Boskovice have spent over $100,000 on the project – a significant strain on their limited resources.  Approximately $100,000 is still needed for the restoration.  This sum will conclude the painting restoration and also conservation of the synagogue’s decorative stone and wood elements.

The Boskovice Great Synagogue was rebuilt and enlarged in 1698.  Later, in the first half of the 19th century the interior was remodeled in the Empire style, followed by an application of Gothic Revival decoration.  Restorers have discovered ornamental frescos of the 18th century profusely covering the walls and vaulting, which probably date from this period.  They feature sacred Jewish texts and plant motifs echoing folk themes -- one of the earliest and best-preserved synagogue decorative programs known from Central Europe.  These paintings have been carefully revealed and are now being conserved.  When the restoration is complete the Boskovice Synagogue will serve as a space for the museum exhibit on Jewish culture in Boskovice run by the town museum of Boskovice.  The synagogue itself, with its magnificent wall decorations will, of course, be the primary exhibit.

Consult of the ISJM website for new photos of the Boskovice wall paintings.  To make contributions to the restoration, or to learn more about the synagogue project, contact the Jewish Heritage Program of the World Monuments Fund, 949 Park Ave., New York, NY  10028, tel. (212) 517-9367, fax. (212) 517-9494.
 

3. November Re-consecration Scheduled for Oswiecim (Auschwitz) Synagogue

The only remaining synagogue in the Polish town of Oswiecim, site of the Auschwitz and Birkenau death camps, will be re-consecrated in a ceremony on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, in November, 1999.  The synagogue and study house – Chevra Lomdei Mishnayot – is to become the Auschwitz Jewish Center, housing a prayer house and memorial, kosher dining facilities, and exhibition on the Jewish history of Oswiecim and other features.  A U.S. delegation including Senator and Mrs. Joseph Lieberman and the Hon. Michael Lewan, Chairman of the US Commission for the preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad will attend the rededication ceremony.  U.S. Ambassador Daniel Fried and Israeli Ambassador to Poland Yigal Antebi will officiate at the ceremony that will initiate restoration work on the historic structure.

For more information about the project consult the ISJM Web page at http://www.isjm.org/jhr/IInos1-2/auschwitz.htm.

For more information about the re-consecration and related events contact the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, tel. (212) 575-1050, fax (212) 575-1050 or via e-mail at AJCF1@aol.com.
 

4. UCLA Center for Jewish Studies Creates Research Fund In Sephardic Studies

The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Jewish Studies, in the UCLA College of Letters and Science has created the Maurice Amado Foundation Research Fund in Sephardic Studies.  The purpose of the Research Fund is to support innovative and important research in the many diverse areas of Sephardic studies, which include history, language, literature, anthropology, sociology, and musicology.  Research Grants:  The first research grants will be awarded in the academic year 2000-2001.  The two main categories of grants are:

1.) Maurice Amado Awards in Sephardic Studies: Awards will be made to faculty and exceptionally promising graduate students in the final stages of dissertation writing.  Awards will be made on the basis of a well-developed research plan, with preference given to those whose research requires fieldwork or travel to archives.  The research awards range from $2,500 - $10,000 annually.

2.) The Maurice Amado Distinguished Fellowship: The Center will award one distinguished fellowship of $20,000 - $25,000 each year.  The aim of this fellowship is to enable a scholar of exceptional promise or ability to make substantial progress on a work of major scholarly significance.

Award recipients in both categories will also regularly contribute to the Research Fund website, in which they will post summaries of their work in progress, as well as present important scholarly questions in the field of Sephardic Studies.

Eligibility:  The Research Fund is open to faculty and graduate students throughout the world, who will become UCLA visiting scholars by accepting the award.  Visiting scholars in the Humanities at UCLA are non-stipendiary appointments who need not be in residence at UCLA.  Scholars who receive support from the Maurice Amado Research Fund will be affiliated with the UCLA Center for Jewish Studies for the duration of the award.  Submission deadline and Information:  The postmark deadline for proposals for all programs is December 31, 1999.  Awards made under this fund will be announced in March for research commencing September 2000.  Detailed questions about the Maurice Amado Foundation Research Fund and requests for application materials should be addressed to the Center:

Fellowship Coordinator
Center for Jewish Studies
302 Royce Hall, UCLA
Box 951485
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1404