Judaica / Zionism - Germany, Pair of Würzburg Synagogue Medals, 1926

Judaica / Zionism - Germany, Pair of Würzburg Synagogue Medals, 1926 A pair of medals issued in 1926 in the city of Würzburg, Germany, commemorating the construction and dedication of the local synagogue. The Würzburg synagogue served as a central institution of one of southern Germany’s oldest, most scholarly and most vibrant Jewish communities until the Holocaust. One side of each medal features a Star of David with a human figure inside and rays of light above. Beneath it appears a box bearing the Hebrew inscription: "Rosh Pina Leni Keni Sheta Bnei Morsha" Around the rim appears a Hebrew inscription referring to the public’s contribution to the synagogue’s construction, including the phrase: "Al Even Achat Shiv'a Einayim" "On one stone are seven eyes" - a reference to the prophecy of Zechariah. According to commentators such as Rashi and the Malbim, the stone and the seven eyes are symbolic rather than literal, representing divine supervision and God’s encompassing vision over the rebuilding effort, paralleling the construction of the Second Temple. Below this text appears the phrase: "Mikdash Me'at Bekedusha Ma'alit" expressing the idea that a synagogue is a “small sanctuary” imbued with holiness. The reverse shows the façade of the Würzburg synagogue in detailed architectural rendering. Surrounding it is the German inscription: "JSR LB A WURZBURG SYNAGOGENBAU" Translation: Würzburg Synagogue - Synagogue Construction. On both sides of the date 1926 appear two Stars of David. At the bottom of each medal appears a different number - 5 on one medal and 10 on the other - likely indicating donation value or level of contribution toward the construction. These medals provide a remarkable visual record of Jewish communal life in Würzburg before World War II and reflect the longstanding tradition of public support for building Jewish communal institutions. Dimensions: Medal 5: Weight: 68.68g Diameter: 40mm Medal 10: Weight: 68.38g Diameter: 40mm