Jewish cultural center Arie Livne (Banja Luka)

Jewish cultural center Arie Livne is a cultural center in the town of Banja Luka (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina). Inaugurated in 2014, the only such facility, built after the Second World War in the Balkans. The cultural center is used for the affirmation of Jewish culture, history and tradition. As part of the Jewish cultural center named after the great friend of the Serbian people, and the President of the Representation of the Republic of Srpska in Israel Arie Livne, there is a Jewish religious building, synagogue Ilona Weiss.

History of Jews in Banja Luka

The Jews were first mentioned in Banja Luka in the 16th century. The largest number of Jews, and the Sephardim settled in the 19th century. Before World War II, Banja Luka Jewish Community consisted of a few hundred families, with built synagogue. In the Second World War destroyed almost all the features. Today in Banja Luka number of Jewish families extent tens. Sephardic Jews have certainly had a stronger role in BiH, given that only in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Tuzla were formed and separate Ashkenazi municipalities, whereas that Tuzla is the only city in which the Ashkenazim were numerous.

By the time of the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Banja Luka is exclusively existed population of Sephardic Jews, further native to Spain and Portugal. They were into crafts and trade; crafts are practiced poorer Jews and those somewhat better off in trade. Since 1878, Jews have given great impetus expansion of the capitalist economy and the spread of Western European ideas in Banja Luka. According to data from 1815 to 1878, holders of import-export trade were Serbs, Jews, and Muslims are oriented towards the internal trade and handicrafts. ^[1]

Synagogue "Ilona Weiss"

As part of the Jewish cultural center, there was built and Synagogue, which was given the name by mother of Arie Livne, Ilona Weiss, who during World War II died in Auschwitz.^[2] The opening of this facility, Banja Luka and the Jewish community in Banja Luka, after seven decades of waiting, more precisely since 1944, when it was demolished last Jewish synagogue, will get the facility that will be the place for prayer, study the scriptures, a place rich in cultural and artistic content, but also a place of spreading good will among men. This is one of two synagogues in the territory of the Republic of Srpska, the other is located in the town of Doboj.

Days of Israel and Jewish culture

2015 was first organized Days of Israel and Jewish culture, which aims to promote Jewish culture, tradition, history, organizing a larger number of cultural, musical, exhibition display about the Jewish people and Jewish culture.

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External links

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