Former Jewish Synagogue (now Kupiškis District Public Library)


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The Jewish community in Kupiškis is believed to have started forming around the 17th century, as confirmed by a permit issued in 1682 by Bishop Mikolaj Pac to build a synagogue. In 1897, there were 2,661 Jews living in Kupiškis, making up 71 percent of the total population (3,742). During the interwar period, Kupiškis had three synagogues, which were positioned close together to form a semi-enclosed narrow courtyard. Today, two of these synagogues remain: the Great Synagogue and the Chasidic Synagogue, located near Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius Square. The Great Synagogue served not only as a place of worship but also as a community meeting and Torah study center.

 

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The Jewish community in Kupiškis is believed to have started forming around the 17th century, as confirmed by a permit issued in 1682 by Bishop Mikolaj Pac to build a synagogue. In 1897, there were 2,661 Jews living in Kupiškis, making up 71 percent of the total population (3,742). During the interwar period, Kupiškis had three synagogues, which were positioned close together to form a semi-enclosed narrow courtyard. Today, two of these synagogues remain: the Great Synagogue and the Chasidic Synagogue, located near Laurynas Stuoka-Gucevičius Square. The Great Synagogue served not only as a place of worship but also as a community meeting and Torah study center. Despite various hardships,
the synagogue continued to function until the tragic years of the German occupation. In 2004, a memorial plaque was unveiled in the former synagogue, listing 820 names of Kupiškis Jews who perished. In 2021, the synagogue underwent reconstruction, restoring its pre-war architectural volume and form. The hall now features authentic polychrome decor. Since 1950, the synagogue has housed the Kupiškis Public Library, which boasts an extensive local history collection, manuscripts, and photographs. The library is also home to a personal collection of over 4,000 books from the sculptor Juozas Kėdainis. The library regularly hosts meetings with writers, book presentations, and various exhibitions.
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