Tempel Synagogue (Progressive)

The name tempel refers to a synagogue and was used as a quite general reference to a number of synagogues erected in Europe: including those in Wrocław and Charkov (today's Kharkiv). They were established by progressive Jews who moved away from the Orthodox movement from the 18th century onwards; these were the so-called maskilim, i.e. enlightened ones.

The Kraków synagogue was built in 1860-1862 in an arcaded style to the design of Ignacy Hercok. It was repeatedly enlarged in the following decades with the most significant extension designed by Beniamin Torbe in 1893-1894. A five-sided apse with arcaded loggias and two-storey neo-Renaissance porches on both sides were added at that time while the façade was transformed and enriched with details in neo-Romanesque style. The tables with the Ten Commandments spelt in golden letters against black marble are placed high on the façade. The last expansion involved adding low side aisles in 1924.

A characteristic feature of the progressive programme of the Tempel synagogue were the sermons preached alternately in Polish and German. Its most eminent preacher was Rabbi Dr Ozjasz Thon who was a member of the Polish Parliament between the two world wars. Another innovation that went against tradition was to allow women to sing alongside the cantor (chazzan) and the choir, a fact that caused strong criticism of the synagogue by the Orthodox Jewish community linked to Remuh synagogue.

During the second world war, the synagogue was turned into a warehouse, yet unlike the other synagogues, its interior was not seriously damaged. The impressive Aaron Hakodesh – (Holy Ark enclosing the Torah Scrolls) by Kraków stoneworker Fabian Hochstim, the wooden galleries for women, the polychrome murals in the ceiling and the galleries were all preserved. The set of 36 stained-glass decorations in the windows of the ground and first floors is as beautiful as it is unique, and mostly features floral and geometrical motifs. Many of the individual windows still bear the names of their founders.

After 1945, Tempel was the only synagogue to be earmarked for religious purposes apart from Remuh. In the late 1950s there was even a bath for ritual purification (mikveh) opened behind the Tempel. Unfortunately, beginning in 1968 the synagogue began to be markedly depopulated, and services were only held here occasionally due to the scarcity of the congregation until – after the death of the synagogue’s last cantor, Abraham Lesman – they practically ceased. Today in fact, the place only comes to life during the events accompanying the annual Jewish Culture Festival.

The interior of the synagogue is decorated in the Moorish style. It received a thorough renovation in 1987-2000. In 2006-2008, the Jewish Community Centre, founded on the initiative of the Prince of Wales, was erected behind the synagogue.