Gdansk synagogue returned to Jewish community on WWII anniversary

The only remaining synagogue in the Polish port city of Gdansk was fully returned to the local Jewish community, on the eve of ceremonies marking 70 years since the beginning of World War II on Tuesday. While ownership of the building was officially transferred to the Jewish community in 2001, a Polish music school situated at the site had continued to use most of the structure, which left just a small wing available for Jewish prayer services and other communal activities.

But the music academy relocated at the start of this week, in advance of the new school year, paving the way for the Jewish community to reclaim the remainder of the building, which includes the hall where the original main sanctuary once stood. Built in 1927 in the Wrzeszcz district of Gdansk (formerly Danzig), just 2 miles from the city center, it became known as the New Synagogue.

It was partially destroyed by the Germans in 1938, and after the war Poland's Communist authorities used it as a warehouse to store furniture. Approximately 100 people are currently registered as members of the local Jewish community though many more are believed to live in the area, either unaware of their heritage or afraid to reveal it.