AEPJ partners with World Monuments Fund at the first Watch Day in Timișoara

The AEPJ proudly participated in the inaugural Watch Day, held in Timișoara, Romania, on October 17-18, 2024.

This event was organized as part of the World Monuments Watch, a global initiative by the World Monuments Fund that aims to identify and safeguard cultural heritage sites facing threats and challenges. Focusing on the Fabric Synagogue, the event provided a platform for community engagement, highlighting the importance of Jewish heritage in Timișoara through guided tours, workshops, and discussions designed to raise awareness about the site’s historical significance.

The World Monuments Fund, in collaboration with local communities and various international stakeholders, has launched an ambitious restoration project for the Fabric Synagogue. Built in 1899, this architectural gem currently stands closed to the public, yet it represents a cornerstone of the Jewish legacy in Timișoara. The restoration effort aims to preserve the building, which has suffered considerable deterioration, and to revalorize its historical significance, not only as a religious monument but also as a cultural and community hub.

World Monuments Fund’s work at the Fabric Synagogue of Timișoara has been made possible, in part, by the David Berg Foundation and WMF’s Jewish Heritage Program Endowment.

As part of its World Monuments Watch 2024 initiative, WMF identified the Fabric Synagogue as a site at risk of losing its historical integrity. This global initiative focuses on safeguarding sites that are threatened and mobilizing resources for their conservation. The Watch Day event allowed the public to engage with the history of the synagogue through guided tours, workshops, and discussions that highlighted the cultural significance of Jewish heritage in the region.

This event also marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration between AEPJ and WMF, formalized through an agreement aimed at preserving and revitalizing the Fabric Synagogue. Under this agreement, AEPJ will provide scientific advice and guidance on the adaptive reuse plan for the synagogue. This involves active participation in two in-person meetings in Timișoara with local stakeholders, where Victor Sorenssen, AEPJ Director, will participate.

Key aspects of the collaboration include maintaining fluid communication between WMF and AEPJ, reviewing project documents, offering advice on work quality, and ensuring the site’s integrity and authenticity. Furthermore, AEPJ will integrate this project into its broader European communication strategy to raise awareness about the synagogue’s significance and will organize an online event to promote the Fabric Synagogue to its audience across Europe.

Victor Sorenssen will work closely with Javier Ors Ausín, WMF’s Senior Program Manager, ensuring the project’s success through collaboration and a shared vision for heritage conservation.