The latest news from Bardejov and the BJPC is here!
Update about Beith Hamidrash Project
Giora Solar, the principal architect in charge of the Beith Hamidrash project and designer of the Bardejov Holocaust Memorial, visited Bardejov on November 27 in order to develop further plans for the current restoration project of the Beith HaMidrash. Since we discovered that there was evidence of previous buildings, we are working to see how to incorporate these new findings as part of our restoration project.

Architects Giora Solar (left), and Alena Petejova (center) gather on site with Pavol Hudak (right) to discuss and review the findings that resulted from the Ground Penetrating Radar (or GPR) process performed on the Beith Hamidrash grounds
The Old Synagogue Restoration Project Received an Award

On November 27, The Ministry of Culture awarded the ‘Fénix – Cultural Monument of 2016’ award to the Federation of Jewish Communities in Slovakia. The award was in recognition of the complex construction and the restoration process of the Old Synagogue in Bardejov. This is yet another prestigious award received as a result of the EEA Grant that supported the restoration of the synagogue in the Jewish Suburbia. 
Top: Interior view of the synagogue after completing the restoration. Photo courtesy of F. Hazlinsky

Right: Participants of our yearly Essay Competition —from ‘Gymnázium Leonarda Stöckela’— gather on stage to receive their certificates
Bardejov High School Celebrates 80 Years and Recognizes the Holocaust and the Local Jewish Community

On November 16, the Bardejov high school ‘Gymnázium Leonarda Stöckela’ celebrated 80 years since its establishment. The occasion was marked by a ceremony offering a rich, cultural program which also included commemoration of the tragic events of WWII, and the fate of the Jewish Community of Bardejov. The school has also published a remembrance book dedicated to its history throughout these 80 years of its existence, particularly focusing on the last decade. Thus, our mutual long-term cooperation through lectures and essay contests has become part of school life. Below are students from 'Gymnázium Leonarda Stöckela' who participated in our yearly commemoration ceremony in the Holocaust Memorial.

Life Cycle
It is with great sadness that we inform our Bardejovers community of the sudden passing of Mr. Josef (Yossi) Bodner, on November 28, 2017. Yossi was a native of Bardejov who survived the Holocaust with his twin brother Naftali and his parents Emanuel and Dina. The family immigrated to the USA in 1950 and some to Israel later on. Yossi came to our 2012 reunion which marked the 70 th year since the deportations. He shared many stories and insights about growing up in Bardejov and of life there after the war.

Yossi was 92 when he passed away in his sleep. May God comfort the Bodner family during the time of their bereavement, amongst the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Yossi Bodner (right) at our May 2012 Gathering Event with Holocaust survivors Naftali Bleich (left) and Golde Lefkowitz (center)
A NEW VERSION OF OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER WILL BE SENT TO YOU ON JANUARY 2018!

We are happy to inform you that we will send the first issue of our new monthly newsletter at the beginning of 2018. Its purpose is to recognize our Bardejov community abroad and share matters that deeply concern us as we acknowledge the special place that Bardejov holds in our hearts. 

We invite you to share stories about your lives, your families, your communities and your memories while we continue to give you news of the important work we do.

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you Happy Holidays!
PLEASE SUPPORT US
Our mission is to preserve Bardejov’s Jewish Heritage, memorialize and honor Bardejov Holocaust victims, and conduct educational outreach to school and community groups to teach tolerance and diversity. The Bardejov Jewish Preservation Committee is not funded by any grants and depends solely on the support of generous individuals. 
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150 S. Los Robles Ave., Suite 480, Pasadena CA 91105; 626.773.8804; from Israel: 03.763.5525;