The Great Synagogue was a former Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, that was located in Białystok, in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland. The synagogue building was designed by Szlojme Rabinowicz and completed in 1913. The building served as a house of prayer until World War II when it was destroyed by Nazis on June 27, 1941. It was estimated that approximately 700 to 800 Jewish people were inside the synagogue at the time of its destruction, by arson.

History

The synagogue was located on Suraska Street. Construction began in 1909, and the building was completed in 1913. It was designed by Szlojme (Shlomo) Jakow Rabinowicz and included three Byzantine Revival-style domes: a large one with a 10 m spire over the main hall with two smaller ones flanking it over the side halls. On the morning of June 27, 1941, Nazi troops from Police Battalion 309 of the Ordnungspolizei surrounded the town square by the Great Synagogue and forced residents from their homes into the street. Some were shoved up against building walls and shot dead. Others, some 700-800 men, women and children, were locked in the synagogue, which was then set on fire; there they burned to death. The Nazi onslaught continued with the grenading of numerous homes and further shootings. As the flames from the synagogue spread and merged with the grenade fires, the entire square was engulfed. On that day, some 3,000 Jews lost their lives.

Monument

A reconstruction of the destroyed dome and a memorial plaque were dedicated in August 1995. The plaque reads: "Our splendid sanctuary fell victim to the flames on June 27, 1941. 2000 Jews were burnt alive in it by the German Nazi murderers."

Gallery