Synagogue (Bechhofen, Germany)

Eliezer Zusman of Brody

1684

Interior of building of back wall with decorative images on top, Hebrew text in the middle, and lattice below, platform with railing in left foreground, and several podiums along wall. — The Bechhofen Synagogue (built in 1685) is believed to have been the largest wooden synagogue in Germany. The interior of the synagogue was painted with lavish decorations in 1732 and 1733, in typical East European style, which the artist Eliezer Zusman, originally from the town of Brody, is credited with introducing to southern Germany. This photograph was taken before the synagogue was burned down on Kristallnacht, November 9 and 10, 1938.

Exterior view of wooden building with dirt path. — The Bechhofen Synagogue (built in 1685) is believed to have been the largest wooden synagogue in Germany. The interior of the synagogue was painted with lavish decorations in 1732 and 1735, in typical East European style, which the artist Eliezer Zusman, originally from the town of Brody, is credited with introducing to southern Germany. All the walls were covered with floral and zoological motifs (including a unicorn) as well as phrases from psalms. This photograph was taken before the synagogue was burned down on Kristallnacht, November 9 and 10, 1938.

The Bechhofen Synagogue (built in 1685) is believed to have been the largest wooden synagogue in Germany. The interior of the synagogue was painted with lavish decorations in 1732 and 1733, in typical East European style, which the artist Eliezer Zusman, originally from the town of Brody, is credited with introducing to southern Germany. This photograph was taken before the synagogue was burned down on Kristallnacht, November 9 and 10, 1938.

Credits

Painted Interior. © Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People (CAHJP).
Exterior. © United States Holocaust Memorial Museum,courtesy of Steven Frank.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

Takkanot (Regulations)

No householder or unmarried man above the age of thirteen may wear a colored hat in the synagogue on Shabbat or Yom Tov, only a black hat. Likewise, a householder may not come to the synagogue wearing…

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Takkanot (Regulations)

Considering the great harm and dangers that have befallen the religious communities of Israel on account of overdressing both by women and by young men, we, the undersigned honorable parnasim…

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Minute Book

In the Name of the Blessed God Amen Whereas on or about the Year 5466 [1706] certain wholesome Rules and Restrictions have been made By the then Elders of our Holy Congregation, to Preserve Peace…

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Torah Finials (New York)

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Takkanot Fiorda (Regulations of Fürth)

1. A head of household, student, or youth—be he local or a foreigner, whether he eats for free, or pays for his food—may not wear a camisol [vest] of gold cloth or brocade with…

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Drawing of six people wearing various clothing styles, including ruffs, dresses, and cloaks.

Jewish Clothing from Fürth

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Creator Bio

Eliezer Zusman of Brody

18th Century

Eliezer Zusman of Brody (alternatively, Elieser Sussman) was a Jewish painter credited with introducing the traditional East European type of synagogue decoration to southern Germany in the early eighteenth century. His signature style is found in several synagogues in Bavaria. Zusman may have been invited to southern Germany as a professional craftsman or might have gone there seeking a better life and refuge from instability in Poland. He painted his first synagogue, Bechhofen, in 1732.

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