Kharkiv Choral Synagogue
Religion
AffiliationChabad
DistrictKharkiv Oblast
LeadershipMoshe Moskovitz
StatusActive
Location
Location12 Pushkinska Street, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Geographic coordinates49°59′32.78″N 36°14′5.51″E / 49.9924389°N 36.2348639°E / 49.9924389; 36.2348639
Architecture
Architect(s)Yakov Gevirts
TypeSynagogue
StyleRomano-Gothic, others
Groundbreaking1909 (1909)
Completed1913
Construction cost150,000 rubles
Specifications
Length50 m (160 ft)
Height (max)138 ft (42 m)
Website
www.jewishkharkov.org

The Kharkiv Choral Synagogue (Ukrainian: Харківська хоральна синагога) is a synagogue located in Kharkiv, Ukraine, the largest in the country, and a building of architectural significance.

History

Construction of the synagogue began in 1909, with architects submitting design proposals as part of contest. St. Petersburg architect Yakov Gevirts submitted the winning design and construction was completed in 1913 at a cost of 150,000 rubles.[1] In June 1923, the synagogue was closed at the insistence of Jewish workers, nationalized by the government, and used by a Jewish worker's club, part of the Comintern.[2] The local Yevsektsiya declared the day a holiday. A march to the synagogue was organized, with a group of Jewish workers carrying a red flag into the building. Moscow's Der Emes declared the synagogue a "counterrevolutionary nest" and claimed that Torah scrolls in the synagogue had been dedicated to the Tsar.[3] The building then served a variety of uses including housing a club, cinema and a sport complex and was not used as a place of worship until 1990.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, various Jewish groups struggled for control of the synagogue. Edward Khodos created an organization to represent the members of Reform Judaism and asserted control of the synagogue. Representatives of Chabad made competing claims, and for a period both groups operated in the building. In 1993, Khodos operated on the synagogue's second floor, where according to reports he conducted his antiques business and set up a Friday night kick-boxing club for local children.[4][5]

In 1998, a fire gutted the synagogue and it was officially turned over to Chabad. Extensive renovations were completed in 2003.[6]

Architecture

The building design is described as a combination of Romano-Gothic, Neo-Gothic, and Islamic architecture styles which the Architectural Society of Kharkiv saw as 'reminiscent of the huge walls of ancient Palestine'.[7]

The building is 138 feet (42 m) tall at the dome and 50 metres (160 ft) long, with a total area of 2,067 square metres (22,250 sq ft). Unlike the other buildings on the block, it is set back from the street to conform with local laws requiring a certain distance from churches and other houses of worship.[8]

The synagogue today

The synagogue is a center for Jewish life in Kharkiv and an important city landmark. Jewish holidays are celebrated at the synagogue by Jews and non-Jews alike. A Hanukkah celebration drew Petro Yushchenko, then governor Arsen Avakov, and national media coverage.[9] Other events include a tribute for Kharkiv's Jewish World War II veterans.[10]

The synagogue is run by Chabad, which has its Kharkiv headquarters there and also maintains a mikveh yeshiva ETC.[11] The synagogue's current Rabbi, Moshe Moskovitz, is also the chief rabbi of Kharkiv.[12] Chabad also runs a school of 500 Jewish children in grades 1-11 and a kindergarten of 70 children.[13]

Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes has attended a synagogue Purim celebration[14] and the wedding of Rabbi Moskowitz's daughter.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The History of the Kharkiv Choral Synagogue". Kharkov Synagogue. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  2. ↑ "Synagogue". Ukraine Vision. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  3. ↑ Levin, Nora (1990). The Jews in the Soviet Union Since 1917: Paradox of Survival, Volume 1. New York and London: New York University Press. p. 77. ISBN 9780814750513.
  4. ↑ Sue Fishkoff. "Scrum over possession of Kharkov shuls". jta.org. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  5. ↑ Betsy Gidwitz. "JEWISH LIFE IN UKRAINE AT THE DAWN OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: PART ONE". No. 451 8 Nisan 5761 / 1 April 2001. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  6. ↑ "Great Choral Synagogue". Skyscraper.com. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  7. ↑ "The History of the Kharkiv Choral Synagogue". Kharkov Synagogue. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  8. ↑ Michal Lando. "The Kharkov camp question". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  9. ↑ "Kharkov for Chanukah - the place where everyone wants to be". Kharkov Synagogue. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  10. ↑ "Kharkov Synagogue Hosts Gala Event For WWII Veterans". Kharkov Synagogue. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  11. ↑ "Chabad of Kharkov". Chabad.org. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  12. ↑ "Thousands of Jews Rely on Chabad at Kharkov Games". crownheights.info. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  13. ↑ "Greeting Moshiach With Song". beismoschiach.org. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  14. ↑ "Purim in the Kharkov Circus!". crownheights.info. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  15. ↑ "Korf-Moskovitz Wedding". chabadinfo.com. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
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