Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine:
Kharkov.
Chairman of the community: A. Kaganovskiy
Tel: +38 (057) 731-60-31
Address: Pushkinskaya St., 12, Kharkov
Community history
History of Kharkov Choral Synagogue
The first synagogue was opened in Kharkov in 1867 on German Street (now the Pushkin street). For three years there was no local rabbi and in 1870 Rabbi Segal Nuss became the Rabbi of Kharkov and led the service at the synagogue. Although the Jewish population grew, the number of synagogues was limited according to strict laws of Russia. Across the city in small homes and apartments houses of worship opened.
In 1901 there were two formal synagogues and by 1917 there were 18.
Main synagogue in the German (Pushkin) Street was demolished and on its place a monumental synagogue was built.
The building was designed by renowned architect from St. Petersburg Jacob Gevirts. His project won first prize at the Imperial Architectural Society in 1909. On May 30 the new building foundation was laid down.Tent has been set and the cantor led the service. Rabbi Epstein who blessed the building had a speech. Chairman of construction company Rubinstein concluded his speech by expressing his hope that "Jews in Russia will be able to enter into this holy place to praise God and receive blessings."
Construction costed 150 000 rubles. Most were donations of wealthy members of the Jewish community.
The magnificent Choral Synagogue was built in three years. Style of the building combines features of Roman Gothic and Moorish styles. Kharkov architectural company described it as "a reminder of the immense walls of ancient Palestine."
Soon the synagogue became the center of Jewish life in Kharkov. Famous cantors attracted to the service hundreds of people. The synagogue was one of the main venues in the community.
But the years of communism dealt a major blow to Jewish renaissance. The Bolsheviks began to close the synagogue trying to root out the spark of Jewish life. Kharkov Choral Synagogue was closed and turned into a club and then into a sports complex.
In 1990 with the arrival of Rabbi Moises Moskovitz, the synagogue was finally returned to the Jewish community. Kharkov - the second largest city of Ukraine. Its population is 2 million people, the Jewish population is 50,000 people. The Jewish community is developing: a school for 500 students, nursery school, yeshiva and clubs for students, educational programs for adults. The synagogue has again become a center of Jewish life in Kharkov and while repairs are in full swing, programs, activities and services take place constantly. After completion of the renovation the Kharkov synagogue will be the largest synagogue in the CIS and the second largest in Europe.