The Shomre-Shabbos Synagogue in Český Těšín

The Szomre-Szabos Synagogue in Český Těšín, known as the "Guardians of the Sabbath," is a private synagogue located at Božka Street 16. Its unique eclectic-Moorish architectural style stands out among the surrounding tenement houses. The three-story brick building, with a rectangular floor plan, featured semicircular windows adorned with rich Moorish frames. Inside, it housed a medium-sized prayer hall containing the Aron ha-kodesh and the bimah, as well as women's galleries. The synagogue could accommodate approximately 250 worshippers, which met the needs of the local Jewish community. Construction of the synagogue began in 1928 due to the limited capacity of the previous prayer house. The design was created by the Cieszyn architect Eduard David, and the building was constructed by the firm of Josef Nosek and Adolf Richter at a relatively low estimated cost of 280 Czechoslovak crowns. In 1935, the Taharas Yisroel association built a mikveh next to it. During World War II, the synagogue survived, avoiding fire, but was completely devastated when the Nazis converted its interior into a storage space for theater props. After the war, the synagogue resumed operations and became the main meeting place for the revived Jewish community until 1948, when the last service was held. At that time, the community leader, Natan Bergman, emigrated to Israel, and the synagogue began to fall into disrepair. In 1967, the building was sold to the "Polish Cultural and Educational Union," which used the space as its headquarters. In 1994, a commemorative plaque was unveiled honoring the Jewish community of Český Těšín, and today the former prayer hall is rented by the "Agape" congregation of the Apostolic Church. The Szomre-Szabos Synagogue is not only an important landmark in the history of the local Jewish community but also a testament to the complex history of the region, where diverse cultures and traditions intertwined.