The first synagogue in 100 years has been opened in Vitebsk
However, not only of the current year, but of the entire century, during which not a single Jewish house of prayer has been built. And at the beginning of the 20th century, there were almost 60 synagogues in Vitebsk; according to the 1897 census, Jews constituted more than 52% of the city's population.
The synagogue was built in two years, and according to Leonid Tomchin, chairman of the Vitebsk Jewish community "House of Israel," there is nothing like it anywhere else. It is an original project by architect Alexey Fedoristov. The building, located in the historical district of Peskovatik, on Griboyedov Street, externally resembles a tent, corresponding to its name "Tent of David."
It is crowned with a glass dome. According to the designers' intention, light, which is of great importance to Jews both literally and figuratively, penetrates through the roof and side windows. Replicas of Chagall's stained-glass windows "The Twelve Tribes of Israel," which adorn the walls, are also internally illuminated. Stones brought from Jerusalem are built into the synagogue.
In addition to the prayer hall, there is a large study room equipped for lectures, film screenings, and exhibitions. There is a mikveh – a special pool for ritual ablutions. In one of the rooms, it is planned to create a Museum of Jewish Life in Vitebsk in the future.
Members of the Jewish community, rabbis from cities in Belarus and Russia, Orthodox and Catholic priests, including the rector of the Holy Assumption Cathedral Mikhail Martynovich and the head of the Vitebsk Catholic Diocese Oleg Butkevich, as well as representatives of regional and local authorities attended the celebration of the synagogue opening.
Mikhail Danilenko, advisor to the chairman of the regional executive committee, who spoke at the ceremony, emphasized that all religions have always coexisted peacefully in Belarus, which is why the Jewish holiday is shared by believers of different faiths.
Mikhail Romanovich also noted that representatives of the Jewish people have made a great contribution to the history and culture of the Vitebsk region. The name of Marc Chagall brought worldwide fame to the city on the Dvina. Our compatriot Ben-Yehuda revived Hebrew as a spoken language. During the Great Patriotic War, fascists destroyed about 20,000 Vitebsk residents of Jewish nationality.
The presentation of the synagogue became a city-wide celebration. According to Jewish custom, men and boys in kippahs danced in a circle, symbolizing the meeting of the older and younger generations.
On the roof, like in a Chagall painting, a violinist played, and bunches of multi-colored balloons were released into the sky. After the traditional cutting of the red ribbon, another ceremony was performed – the affixing of the mezuzah, a scroll with fragments from the Torah, which signifies that the building is under the special protection of the Creator.
The synagogue was built with sponsorship funds and donations from believers not only from Vitebsk but also from other cities and countries. Their names are immortalized on stones in the western part of the building.
The old prayer hall, located in the house opposite, will be used as a dining room where kosher (permitted) food can be consumed after prayer. Together with the new building, they will form the synagogue complex.
– I would like people to come here with good thoughts and leave with light in their souls, – Leonid Tomchin wished the members of the Jewish community.
The first visitors to the synagogue were welcomed by the Rabbi of Vitebsk Malkiel Gorgodze, who noted that now the city's Jews have their own cozy, bright home.