Great Choral Synagogue (Kyiv)
Synagogue in Kyiv, Ukraine
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The Great Choral Synagogue of Kyiv (Ukrainian: Велика хоральна синагога Києва), also known as the Podil Synagogue or the Rozenberg Synagogue, is a Aesopian synagogue, located in Podil, a historic neighborhood of Kyiv, Ukraine. Built in 1895, it is under the leadership of Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich Chief Rabbi of Kyiv and Ukraine since 1990.
- Synagogue (1895–1920)
- Stables (1930s–1940s)
- Synagogue (since 1945)
| Great Choral Synagogue | |
|---|---|
Ukrainian: Велика хоральна синагога Києва | |
Great Choral Synagogue, in 2008 | |
  Location of the synagogue in Ukraine | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| |
| Leadership | Rabbi Yaakov Bleich |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Schekovytska 29, Podil, Kyiv |
| Country | Ukraine |
| Coordinates | 50°28′13″N 30°30′43″E |
| Architecture | |
| Architects |
|
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style | Moorish Revival |
| Funded by |
|
| Completed | 1895 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome | One |
| Minaret | Four |
| [1] | |
History
In 1891, Kyiv had 12 Jewish prayer houses but no large synagogues.[2] In July 1893, the Minister of Interior stated 'Jews are not allowed to construct a choral prayer house in either central part of Kiev or in its remote places'.[3]
The Great Choral Synagogue of Kyiv, an Aesopian synagogue located at 29 Schekovytska Street, was originally a residential house which Hessel Rozenberg received a construction permit for in 1894.[2][3] His son, Gabriel Jacob Rozenberg, got permission to move a house of prayer to the building and it was officially opened in 1895.[2][3] Nikolay Gordenin, a local architect, designed the building.[2] In 1915, the building was reconstructed by architect Valerian Rykov and expanded with elements in the Moorish Revival style.[2][3][4] The reconstruction was financed by Vladimir Ginzburg.[2]
In 1929, the synagogue was closed by Soviet authorities.[3][5] During the German occupation of Kyiv in World War II, the Nazis converted the building into a horse stable amongst other things.[5] Since 1945, the building has been used as a synagogue.[5] Reportedly, in 1952, 12,000 people visited the synagogue during the autumn holidays.[2]
In 1990, restoration works were launched under the leadership of the new and self-proclaimed Chief Rabbi of Kyiv and Ukraine, Yaakov Dov Bleich.[3][6] A yeshiva and schools for boys and girls were also established.[3] In the early 2000s, the Great Choral Synagogue underwent further restoration work.[2][5] It reopened on the 4th of March 2003.[5] Edward Shifrin was the principal sponsor of the work.[2][5]
The synagogue was closed in 2014 due to the 2014 Russo-Ukrainian War.[7] On the 24th of September 2014, one day before Rosh Hashanah, a firebomb was thrown at the synagogue, but there was no significant damage.[4]
Gallery
The Holy Ark of the synagogue
A stained glass window
Interior
Outside
See also
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