Nozyk Synagogue, Warsaw

The Nożyk Synagogue, located in Warsaw, stands as a poignant historical monument and the sole prewar Jewish house of prayer in Warsaw to have survived the tumultuous events of World War II. Its establishment dates back to the late 19th century, a period when Warsaw's Jewish community, one of the largest globally, had over 400 houses of prayer. Among these, only two were independent structures, with the majority being smaller chapels integrated into schools, hospitals, or homes.

This synagogue's history began when the need for a temple for the orthodox Jewry of Warsaw became apparent. Responding to this need, Zalman Nożyk, a prominent Warsaw merchant, and his wife Ryfka financed the construction of this temple on Twarda street, near Grzybów and Grzybowski Square. The construction spanned from 1898 to 1902.

The architectural design of the Nożyk Synagogue was the work of Karol Kozłowski, a renowned Warsaw architect also credited with designing the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra Hall. The building's façade exhibits a neo-Romanticist style with distinct neo-Byzantine elements. The structure is rectangular, featuring an internal chamber divided into three aisles.

The synagogue's history is marked by World War II tragedies. In 1939, it was damaged in an air raid. During the war, it became part of the Small Ghetto, witnessing the Ghetto Uprising and later being repurposed as stables and a depot by the Nazis. After the war, it was restored and now serves as a place of worship, housing the Warsaw Jewish Commune and other Jewish organizations, a testament to the resilience of Warsaw's Jewish community.