On September 25, for the first time in 70 years, a synagogue was opened in Chernovtsy. The Sadovsky Street Synagogue that had been closed by the Soviet Regime, was renovated and reopened in time for the High Holidays.
In honor of the opening, a Torah scroll was completed and welcomed into the synagogue. One thousand local Jews and numerous guests from other cities of Ukraine and from abroad attended the ceremony to welcome the Torah scroll and open the synagogue.
The project for the synagogue’s restoration was made possible thanks to the enthusiasm of Chief Rabbi of Chernovtsy Menachem Mendel Glitsenshtein, a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary, and with financial support from former Chernovtsy resident, Mr. Aharon Meiberg, who was entrusted with the honor of affixing a mezuzah to the synagogue building.
The ceremony began with honored guests writing the final letters of the Torah. This important event took place in the city’s movie theater (which was formerly the main synagogue) with a large crowd present. Then, a sizeable procession, accompanied by a klezmer orchestra, made its way to the building of the new synagogue.
The opening ceremony was attended by many dignitaries, including the Governor of Chernovtsy Region, the Mayor of Chernovtsy, Chief Rabbi of Zhitomir and Western Ukraine Shlomo Wilhelm, Chief Rabbi of Berdichev Moshe Taller, and the new rabbi of Khmelnitsky, Alexander Feingold.
The synagogue hosted a festive meal and all guests received a booklet especially prepared for this occasion, featuring information about the Jewish holidays and the services offered by the Jewish community of Chernovtsy, a member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine.
The newly renovated synagogue will serve as the community’s Jewish Community Center. All work on the center is expected to be completed in about two months, at which time there will be a mikvah, classrooms, a kosher food store, a dining room and a cafe.
The Jewish community of Chernovtsy would like to thank everyone who made an invaluable contribution to the revival of Jewish life in this region: the Head of the Association of Rabbis of the CIS, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, Ohr Avner Foundation Head Lev Leviev and the organization’s director in the CIS, Rabbi David Mondshine, as well as Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch Vice Chairman Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, and the Rabbinical Center of Europe.