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

Ozëry, Belarus - Original Linocut

Yiddish name: Ozra

Previous name, country: Jeziory Poland

The wooden synagogue of Ozëry was erected in the mid-1700s. Ozëry was known as a place for Torah study, attracting young men from the surrounding district. The main sources of Jewish livelihood were sawmills, lake fishing, tanning and other crafts.

Zionist activity started at the beginning of the 20th century, and groups supporting the labor parties in Erez Israel were active before World War II. Ozëry had a center for training Jewish pioneers for the agricultural settlements of Palestine, and many Jews from Ozëry emigrated to Erez Israel. Jews from the town were among the pioneers of Jewish colonization in Argentina.

The Jewish presence in the town ended on November 11, 1942 when the Jewish population (1,370) of the Ozëry ghetto were transferred to the Kelbasin forced-labor camp near Grodno and were all deported to death camps a few weeks later.

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.