Lost Treasures: The Wooden Synagogues of Eastern Europe The Artwork of Bill Farran

Olyka, Ukraine - Original Linocut

Yiddish name: Olik

The Legend of Olyka’s Synagogue

The count of the shtetl Olyka was a wicked man. He mistreated both Ukrainian peasants and Jews. One day the count became seriously ill and sent for the priest, asking him to pray to God for a cure. He promised the priest that if he recovered, he would build a church. However, the count’s health did not improve. In desperation, the count asked the town’s rabbi to pray for his recovery, and promised if the rabbi’s prayers were answered, he would build a synagogue.

Soon after the rabbi prayed for the count, he was totally cured. The count arranged to have a church and a synagogue constructed. Not to anger the Jews or Christians, the Count ordered the two buildings to be built simultaneously. After both buildings were completed, they looked almost identical. When the count came to inspect the buildings, he could not take his eyes off them because of their beauty. The count became very troubled. The next day he called for the architect and had him put to death. The count could not bear the thought that this architect might be invited by another count anywhere else to build anything as wonderful.

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.