[Page 92]

The exterior of the building: 1. The facade of the building from the west: Despite the outward modesty of the wooden building, it looks very dignified - in its dimensions and its clean, well-balanced lines. The structure is wide at its base, rising four stories high, tapering upward to a pointed top. In its pagoda-like style, it looks as if it were built of stone - it is solid and wonderfully anchored in its surroundings. It stands out even more in its surroundings because the lot around it has been left empty of buildings.

[Page 93]

2. The wooden synagogue in Gwozdziec, perspective view, section

[Page 94]

3. The wooden synagogue in Gwozdziec, horizontal view, cross-section

4. The wooden synagogue in Gwozdziec, foundation diagram

[Page 95]

[Picture]

5. The facade of the building from the south: The appearance is almost shabby compared to the view from the west. Various rooms that have been added over the years are also visible here. Among them, stands out a prayer room for the winter season, built of brick and covered with plaster.

6. Part of the roof's internal scaffolding

[Page 96]

[Picture]

6. Part of the roof's internal scaffolding The rough material was primitively processed. Beams that are connected by ropes are visible. It is worth remembering that the building stood for almost three centuries. It did not collapse, but was burned by the Russians in 1914.

[Page 97]

The paintings and inscriptions on the walls and the dome: 7. The western wall - the wall with the entrance door. Those entering the synagogue can see in the upper frame of the entrance door (inside the synagogue), a carved sign from 1718. The door planks do not look original compared to the iron hinges which were made in an ancient style. Above the door is engraved the inscription (Zephaniah 3, 20): “At that time I will bring you and at that time I will gather you together”. To the right of the door is a container of water to wash the hands and to the right of it is a sheet with the prayer (Kings 8, 57): “May the name of our God be with us as he was with our ancestors…”. Beneath the prayer is the name of the benefactor: “This was donated by the Aluf Asher Baharar Mordechai zt”l (may the memory of the righteous be a blessing) for his son Aharon, so he become great in the Torah, get married and do good deeds, 1673. On the wall above the door is the inscription (Bava Metzia Nite 59, 70, 1): “Rabbi Elazar said, from the day the Temple was destroyed, the gates of prayer were locked, as it was said…” (Lamentations 50, 8: “Even if I cry out for God and scream, my prayer will not be heard”), and even tough, the gates of prayer were locked, the gates of tears were not locked, as it was said, etc. This was donated by Yosef Ben Yehuda Leib in1721 or 1691. Above this inscription, a (folk) saying “A man worries about losing his blood, but does not worry about losing his days”. (The continuation of the proverb: “His blood does not help, his days do not return”).

[Page 98]

8. “To the king…” – “May it be God's will…” A sheet on the right with the prayer (from the plea (Tachnun)): “To the king who sits on the throne of mercy…”. Below is the name of the donor: This was donated by the Aluf Rabbi Yehuda Leib Baharar Yisrael zt”l in 1691 or 1721. To the left of this prayer is the inscription “Black on white, a reminder of the destruction”, with above it a drawing of a pair of bears climbing a tree, facing each other. Below the inscription mentioning the destruction of the Temple, a round matzah is drawn, symbolizing the blending of the courtyards. Besides is the sheet with the prayer (from the Priestly Blessing): “May it be God's will…”. Below: “This was donated by the Alufim, the brothers….”.

[Page 99]

9. “Lord of the World…”. On the right, the prayer (from the Priestly Blessing): “Lord of the World, I am yours and my dreams are yours…”. Below: This was donated by the esteemed Alufim, Aluf Hillel Moshe Baharar Yosef Katz, and Aluf Elimelech, may God bless him, Lepert…”.

[Page 100]

10. Ornamentation between sheets of writing, partial. This part is beautifully preserved. The rich ornamentation is evident, reminiscent of Persian art. The decorations serve as transitions and connections between the sheets of prayer, with the darker background on which the decorations were painted highlighting the graphics on the light background. A balance is created between the writing and the ornament, a kind of balance between thought (prayer) and emotion - aesthetics (art).

[Page 101]

South wall: 11. Wall painting of the Menorah. A painting of the Menorah composed entirely of verses from Psalm 67: “To the conductor with the melody of a psalm…”. Lines along both sides of the text emphasize the shape of the Menorah.

[Page 102]

The eastern wall: 12. The Shatz pillar and the Ark of the Covenant. The Shatz pillar does not appear to be the original pillar in its rough form compared to the rich design of the Ark of the Covenant standing on the left, in the center of the wall. On the pillar stands a beautiful picture with a carved wooden frame made by an artisan. To its left rises the Ark of the Covenant, also decorated with very rich wood carvings in the Baroque style. To the right of the Shatz pillar there is an ancient copper chandelier (candelabra). To the right of the column there is the lower part of the wall and an inscription in a double rounded frame (the prayer of “Ha'Otzaha” from the eighteen prayer), “we thank you…”. It was donated by the bigwig Yaakov Ben Avraham…

[Page 103]

13. The picture on the Shatz pillar. The picture is divided into two parts: top and bottom. In the center of the upper part is the inscription (Psalms 16, 8): “The Lord is always before my eyes and in my mind”. The inscription is in a frame of two columns supported on either side by standing lions. In the center of the lower part is drawn the menorah with seven arms which is also held on both sides by a pair of eagles. 14. The frame of the picture on the Shatz pillar. In the upper part of the frame, a pair of eagles standing opposite each other are carved in the wood, and in the middle between them is a kind of heraldic symbol inside a medallion with the above-mentioned verse: “The Lord is always before my eyes and in my mind”, which is also carved in the wood.

[Page 104]

15. The carving work on the Holy Ark, partial.

16. The upper part of the Ark of the Covenant. The lower part is made like a curtain and on it is the inscription: “To detail my doing to be boast of, with the justice of the one who is engaged in the holy work”. In the center of the inscription which is arranged in four lines, there is a drawing of “Blessed be God” inside a heart-shaped medallion and above it a pair of hands are spread out in the position of the Priestly Blessing. Above these there is a painting of a double-headed eagle with a crown on both of its heads. The crown is in the middle, under the two tablets of the covenant painted on the lower part of the dome. Another crown is painted above the Tablets of the Covenant and on both sides, it is written: “Keter Torah” - each word inside its own medallion. The two Tablets of the Covenant are supported on both sides by two imaginary animals, whose lower part resembles a lion and their heads and wings – resemble to that of an eagle. Next to this animal there is a painting of a rooster, below it there is a painting of a lion in a double round frame and next to it on the left is a painting of a squirrel.

  Hvizdets, Ukraine     Yizkor Book Project     JewishGen Home Page

Copyright © 1999-2025 by JewishGen, Inc.
Updated 23 Aug 2025 by LA