News from World Monuments Fund

On My Watch: Traditional Houses of Bukhara's Old Jewish Mahallah

Online Event

Home to an isolated part of the Jewish Diaspora for over two millennia, the Uzbek city of Bukhara is characterized by its traditional houses–exceptional representations of the woodworking craft developed by Bukharian Jews over centuries.

Join us on September 30 for an online event on how World Monuments Fund's (WMF) project in Bukhara is safeguarding these unique examples of vernacular architecture, which are featured on the 2020 World Monuments Watch. The event will take place in partnership with the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage and in collaboration with the International Institute for Central Asian Studies.

WMF's work at this site was made possible, in part, by support from the David Berg Foundation and Tianaderrah Foundation / Nellie and Robert Gipson.

This event is hosted with the New York and UK Chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is pending AIA CES approval.

The Great Synagogue of Iaşi and its Aron Kodesh

The Great Synagogue of Iaşi is one of only two synagogues remaining in the city, once home to over a hundred. It is also the oldest surviving synagogue in Romania. The late seventeenth-century site was included on the 2014 Watch to call for renewed local support for its then-stalled restoration.

In this slideshow, learn more about WMF's work to inspire collective action for the synagogue's preservation and our project to restore its majestic aron kodesh , or torah ark, dating back to 1864.

Showcasing the Breadth and Diversity of the Jewish Diaspora

Since 1988, WMF's Jewish Heritage Program has supported conservation work at nearly 60 sites tied to Jewish communities in 28 countries, partnering with local groups worldwide to develop viable preservation strategies for Jewish heritage places, record and share their stories, and provide lasting local benefits.

In celebration of this month's Jewish High Holy Days, learn more about WMF's work to design and implement preservation projects showcasing the significance, breadth, and diversity of Jewish cultural heritage around the globe.

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