In the central synagogue of the city of Bordeaux, the capital of the Aquitaine region in southwestern France, the organ built more than a century ago and vandalized by the Nazis during World War II was re-inaugurated. In July 1944, after occupying Bordeaux, the Germans took over the synagogue, vandalized its contents and turned it into a detention center for the Jews of the city and the district before their deportation to concentration camps.
It is one of the most magnificent synagogues in Europe, and is declared a historical heritage site in the country. It was built in 1870 by the Portuguese community of descendants of the Marranos. "The synagogue served as a thriving community center, prayers were held there every day of the week, on holidays and Saturdays, according to the style of the Portuguese community," explains the president of the Jewish community of Bordeaux and the region of Aquitaine, Dr. Eric Oiseret.
City Hall in Bordeaux, France, photo: Getty Images
Similar organs were built in many synagogues in Europe at the time, and were played on weekdays in order to make prayers pleasant. Two years ago, it was decided to return the crown to its former glory and renovate the organ. The community issued a call for fundraising, and with an investment of 220,<> euros, funded by the French government's Association for the Preservation of Heritage Sites as well as private donors, the project was launched.
Organ construction and renovation experts worked on it for about 18 months. Now, 80 years after it was vandalized, the organ's launch event took place, which included a festive organ playing concert with the singing of "Hatikvah" accompanied by violinists from the Bordeaux Opera and the synagogue choir.
"The people of Israel must continue this melody"
Einav Birnbaum and Rebecca Beiser, service members of the Association for Volunteering in Bordeaux, say that their activities in the Jewish community and in the Jewish school give them strength and they feel that their work is very important. "We teach the children to read and write, pass on Bnei Akiva activities to them and help the community with everything it needs, this event is very exciting for us."
"I was very excited to hear the story about the organ, which may be a musical instrument but is a symbol of the continuation of our heritage as Jews, a symbol of the community that was slaughtered in the Holocaust of the Jewish people by the Germans and knew how to rise from the ashes and prosper," said the director of the Association for Volunteering, Yaron Lutz, who was invited to the event. "The entire nation of Israel must continue this melody."
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