Raise the Roof

"How often do you get a chance to reach deep into history and bring something back?" --Rick Brown

Inspired by images of the magnificent, mural-covered wooden synagogues of 18th century Poland—the last of which were destroyed by the Nazis—Massachusetts College of Art professors Rick and Laura Brown set out to build a replica of the stunning, mural-covered Gwozdziec synagogue, using only period tools and techniques.

Aided by a team of 300 artisans and students from around the world, using only period tools and techniques, the show-stopping building was realized, and installed as the centerpiece of the new Museum of the History of Polish Jews, in Warsaw. Filmmakers Yari and Cary Wolinsky’s beautifully photographed film chronicles this ambitious project against the backdrop of the 1000-year history of Jews in Poland.

Featuring music by Di Galitzyaner Klezmorim, John Kusiak, and Neoklez