Great Choral Synagogue (Kyiv)
The Great Choral Synagogue of Kyiv (Ukrainian: елика хоральна синагога Києва), also known as the Podil Synagogue or the Rozenberg Synagogue, is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue, located in the Podil, a historic neighborhood of Kyiv, Ukraine. Built in 1895, it is the oldest synagogue in Kyiv and is under the leadership of Rabbi Yaakov Bleich Chief Rabbi of Ukraine.
| Great Choral Synagogue | |
|---|---|
Ukrainian: елика хоральна синагога Києва | |
Great Choral Synagogue, in 2008 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status |
|
| Leadership | Rabbi Yaakov Bleich |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Schekovytska 29, Podil, Kyiv |
| Country | Ukraine |
Location of the synagogue in Ukraine | |
| Geographic coordinates | 50°28′13″N 30°30′43″E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) |
|
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style | Moorish Revival |
| Funded by |
|
| Completed | 1895 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome(s) | One |
| Minaret(s) | Four |
| [1] | |
History
The Aesopian synagogue, built in 1895,[2] was designed in the Moorish Revival style by Nikolay Gordenin. Gabriel Yakob Rozenberg, a merchant, financed the building.[2] In 1915 the building was reconstructed by Valerian Rykov. The reconstruction was financed by Vladimir Ginzburg, a nephew of Rozenberg.
In 1929, the synagogue was closed. During the German occupation of Kyiv in World War II, the Nazis converted the building into a horse stable.[3]
Since 1945, the building has again been used as a synagogue. In 1990, restoration works were launched at the initiative of the new Chief Rabbi of Kyiv and Ukraine, Yaakov Dov Bleich. A yeshiva and schools for boys and girls were established in the same building. In 1992, the synagogue officially became the property of the Jewish community.[4]
During Rosh Hashanah 2014, a firebomb was thrown at the synagogue, without causing any significant damage.[5]
Gallery
- The Holy Ark of the synagogue
- A stained glass window
- Interior
- Outside
References
- "Synagogue in Podil Removes Scaffolding". Jewish Federation of Ukraine.
- "302 File moved". Jewish Federation of Ukraine. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
- MacIsaac, Daniel (10 March 2003). "Kyiv Synagogue Reopens". National Conference on Soviet Jewry. Archived from the original on 12 April 2003. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
- "Great Choral Synagogue in Podil, Kyiv (29 Schekovytska Street)". Virtual Shtetl. Poland: POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- "Firebomb thrown at Kiev's oldest synagogue". Times of Israel. Jewish Telegraph Agency. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
External links
- "The Historic Podil Synagogue". Creative Jewish Mom. 6 July 2018.