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

Uzlyany, Belarus - Original Linocut

Uzlyany is a small town in the Minsk region of Belarus. Jews were first mentioned as living there in the second half of the 17th century.

The wooden synagogue was built in the first decade of the 18th century. The structure was simple and poor and appropriate for the small and modest congregation. In this humble Prayer House, there was one thing that earned attention, and that was the Torah Ark, the work of wood carver Baer Ben Israel. His father was also a wood carver, and their wonderful creations decorated synagogues in the small towns of that area.

Uzlyany was the birthplace and boyhood home of David Sarnoff, the American businessman and pioneer of American radio and television. Throughout most of his career he led the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in various capacities from shortly after its founding in 1919 until his retirement in 1970.

In 1923, the Jewish population numbered 541. In June 1941 it was occupied by the Germans who murdered the town’s Jews at the Jewish cemetery in October 1941. Uzlyany was liberated by the Red Army in July 1944.

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.