Good News from Tomsk: Government to Renovate ‘Cantonists’ Synagogue
On the eve of Purim, joyful news arrived regarding an extensive renovation that the Siberian government has decided to undertake for the historic synagogue in Tomsk, Siberia. This renovation comes as part of the restoration of the entire building, which is recognized as a national heritage site, being a synagogue built by Jewish Cantonist soldiers with their own hands, featuring special wooden carvings.
The historic synagogue was returned to the Jewish community, led by the city’s rabbi and emissary Rabbi Levi Kaminetzky, during a special ceremony held with the participation of Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar about seven years ago.
After negotiations that took many years, the authorities in Tomsk, central Siberia, returned the historic synagogue built by Jewish Cantonists who were exiled to distant Siberia by the Russian history government , The structure, made entirely of wood, was built by Jewish Cantonists approximately two hundred years ago. For many years, they prayed there with great devotion until it was nationalized by the Communists and converted into a residential building occupied by local families.
In recent years, numerous efforts were made to return the building to the Jewish community of Tomsk, led by the city and district rabbi and Chabad Shliach Rabbi Levi Kaminetzky. To expedite the process, the governor arranged alternative housing for the 17 families who had settled in the historic and sacred building over the years.
As mentioned, seven years ago, the community received ownership of the building in an emotional ceremony held at the entrance, where the keys to the building were presented to the Chief Rabbi of Russia. However, a lengthy bureaucratic process followed, which concluded this week with the great news that the renovation of the site will be carried out and funded by the government itself.
Great excitement gripped all members of the Tomsk community upon hearing the joyful news, which, by divine providence, arrived on the eve of Purim, when many are expected to participate in events organized by the large community, which includes educational and charitable institutions.
In the pictures: The historic building and the ceremony of handing over the keys to Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, alongside Tomsk’s Rabbi Levi Kaminetzky.
Photo: Mevaser Tov Moscow
