Lost Treasures: The Wooden Synagogues of Eastern Europe The Artwork of Bill Farran
Khodoriv, Ukraine - Original Linocut
Khodoriv, Ukraine - Original Linocut
Yiddish names: Chederev, Chodorov, Chodoriv
Previous names, countries: Khodorov [Russia], Chodorów [Galicia, Poland]
The wooden synagogue of Khodoriv was built in 1652. The exterior was plain and humble, but inside it was decorated with beautiful paintings and elaborate religious articles. The glory of this synagogue was in no small measure due to an itinerant Jewish artist named Israel Ben Mordechai Lissnicki, who painted two other synagogues in the area. Although the synagogue of Khodoriv was destroyed during World War II, a model of the ceiling depicting magnificently colored Zodiac signs and Biblical passages can be seen in the Beth Hatefutsoth Museum in Tel Aviv.
In July 1941, when German troops occupied Khodoriv there were about 2,500 Jews. Together with their Ukrainian collaborators, the Germans robbed and abused Jews and burned down the Great Synagogue. During the first Aktion in June 1942, 1000-1500 Jews were rounded up. Those too sick or weak were shot; others were sent to Belzec where they were immediately killed. In October, another 350 Jews were deported to Belzec to be murdered. In February 1943, Ukrainian police murdered all but fifteen of the remaining population who had been hidden by friends and acquaintances.
Purchase a print
Original linocut prints are 8x10 inches, and are available either unmatted or in an 11x14 matte.
I also offer matted 5x7 digital prints. These prints are created from high-res digital images and come in an 8x10 matte.
For this synagogue I have created an additional digital print, with Hebrew lettering in the background. These prints are also created from high-res digital images and come in an 8x10 matte.