Archaeologists uncover synagogue in Warsaw Jewish cemetery destroyed by Germans in WWII

Archaeologists in Warsaw have uncovered the remnants of a synagogue and funeral home that was destroyed by Nazi forces during World War II. The discovery was made at the Okopowa Street Jewish cemetery, one of the largest in Poland, with over 250,000 individuals laid to rest there. The findings include the structural foundations of the building and a variety of artifacts that provide insight into the lives of the Jewish community that once thrived in the area. The excavation, initiated in June and set to conclude by late July, was commissioned by Warsaw's Jewish community, which oversees the cemetery. The synagogue and funeral home, built in 1877 by architect Adolf Schimmelpfennig, stood until May 15, 1943, when it was demolished by German occupiers using explosives. This destruction occurred following the suppression of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, during which the Nazis systematically liquidated the ghetto, sending thousands to their deaths and razing the remaining structures. Among the recovered items are ceramic floor and wall tiles, glass bottles, and stove tiles, all of which suggest the building served both religious and practical functions. These artifacts offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of the community that utilized the space for decades. One particularly poignant find is a door plaque linked to Abram Pozner, the cemetery’s director during the war. Pozner sheltered his family in the funeral home early in the conflict, providing temporary refuge from the horrors of the ghetto. As conditions worsened, Pozner established an underground hideout within the cemetery. Though the Germans ultimately discovered the bunker and killed most of its occupants, two survivors emerged from the ordeal, one of whom, Avraham Carmi, still lives in Israel. The ongoing work is being supervised by the conservator of monuments for Masovia, the region encompassing Warsaw. According to the conservator, the aim is to “uncover, document and preserve the remains of this historic complex, maintaining the memory of this place and passing it on to future generations.” The findings will help reconstruct the history of one of the most significant buildings in historic Warsaw. Cemetery director Witold Wrzosiński expressed hope that the site might be restored or transformed into a memorial. He noted that the project involves determining whether rebuilding the funeral home on its original site is feasible or if displaying the remains within a new structure would be more appropriate. The decision will hinge on assessing the site’s viability for reconstruction. Archaeologist Szymon Lenarczyk, leading the excavation, has suggested incorporating an underground exhibition space within any future structure, allowing visitors to view the unearthed artifacts up close. Before the war, Warsaw housed approximately 350,000 Jews, more than any other city except New York. Most perished in the Holocaust, leaving behind a small surviving Jewish community. The recent discoveries serve as a tangible link to that lost past, offering a chance to honor and remember those who lived and died in the city.