Reicherów Synagogue

Reicherów Synagogue stands at ulica Rewolucji 1905 r. 28 in Śródmieście, Łódź, formerly at ulica Południowa 28. Built between 1895 and 1902 from funds provided by the Reicher family, it is the only pre-war synagogue in Łódź to survive the war.

The Reicher family foundation

The synagogue was built between 1895 and 1902 with funds from the Łódź Reicher family, designed by architect Gustaw Landau-Gutenteger. The men's prayer hall is lit by 8 windows, and the women's gallery by 10 windows. The building holds approximately 42 people in total, making it one of the smaller pre-war synagogues in Łódź, where over 200 houses of prayer operated before 1939.

Fictitious sale that saved the building

The synagogue's owner, Wolf Reicher, drew up a fictitious deed of sale of the building to his German business partner. This formal procedure meant that the occupier did not destroy the synagogue, unlike most Łódź houses of prayer. After the war, Edward Reicher, the only surviving family member, sold the tenement building and transferred the synagogue to the Jewish Religious Congregation, which carried out its renovation.

Closure after 1968 and fire

After March 1968, the synagogue was closed and the building began to deteriorate. In 1988, the Nissenbaum Family Foundation together with the Congregation began renovation work, which was interrupted by a fire. The work was completed by the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation. The current technical condition of the building following that restoration has not been established.

One of two active synagogues in Łódź

Reicherów Synagogue is the only pre-war building of this type in Łódź to survive to the present day, and one of two synagogues currently active in the city. The community building is run by the Jewish Religious Community, also known as the Jewish Religious Congregation. Visiting hours for people outside the community and the possibility of organising group visits have not been established.

Practical information

• Address: ulica Rewolucji 1905 r. 28, Łódź, Śródmieście
• Getting there: city centre of Łódź, accessible by public transport
• What to expect: small, intimate synagogue interior with a women's gallery, services on major holidays, building operates as a place of worship, not a museum