The Chevra Lomdei Mishnayot Synagogue was used as a carpet warehouse during the Nazi occupation of Oświęcim.
The synagogue was rededicated in 2000, becoming the first house of prayer to be returned to the Jewish community in post-communist Poland.
Excavations at the site uncovered the foundation of the Great Synagogue, which was burned down by German forces in 1939.
The collection includes artifacts recovered from the site of the Great Synagogue, including items from its original Holy Ark.
The name 'Oshpitzin' is derived from the Aramaic word for 'guests', which was how Jewish residents traditionally referred to their town.
The Jewish Museum and Synagogue in Oświęcim is housed in the Chevra Lomdei Mishnayot Synagogue, the only active synagogue in the town today. It serves as a memorial to the centuries-long history of Oświęcim's Jewish community, known historically by its Yiddish name, Oshpitzin. The site includes the museum complex, the restored synagogue, and the Auschwitz Jewish Center. The museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Jewish residents who lived here prior to the Holocaust. It functions as an educational facility focusing on the history of local Jewish life rather than the extermination camp nearby. The complex also houses the Cafe Bergson, located in a renovated 1920s house. It remains a rare example of a site in Oświęcim that documents Jewish life beyond the context of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp experience. The facility operates as an affiliate of the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York.
The interior of the restored Chevra Lomdei Mishnayot Synagogue.
Combine your visit with a walking tour of the town to see surviving pre-war Jewish architecture.
Visit the Cafe Bergson on-site for historical context and quiet reflection.
Engage with the museum staff to learn about current educational programming.
Do not confuse this museum with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, as they serve entirely different historical purposes.
Closed on certain Jewish holidays and occasionally on Mondays; check official updates for seasonal schedule changes.
Modest dress is required out of respect for a religious space; hats are provided for men.
