Plzen, a city in western Bohemia, was one of the earliest Jewish communities in Bohemia, dating back to the 1300's. As of 1900, the Jewish community in Plzen was one of the five largest in Bohemia. In 1930, there were about 2,800 Jews in the city (2.4 of the total population). After the German occupation in March, 1939, persecution of the Jews began. In 1942, more than 2,000 persons were deported to Nazi extermination camps. After the war, the community was reorganized by about 300 persons.
The large Moorish style synagogue pictured below was built in 1893 from a design by Jacob Gartner, who also designed the Olomouc synagogue. A Nazi plan to destroy the synagogue was given up, since it would have required the destruction of a city block. The synagogue is still in use. Below are three postcards depicting the synagogue. The photo card is postmarked 1925. The third card is postmarked 1910.
Copyright © 1998-99 Edward Victor
