Historic Synagogue in Kislovodsk, Russia, Rededicated
With the completion of renovations in the ancient synagogue in the city of Kislovodsk, Russia, and the restoration of the historic site from foundation to roof spanning several years, the Jewish community finally celebrated together. The special dedication ceremony of the entire complex and the affixing of mezuzahs at the doors to the synagogue hall was honored with the presence of the Chief Rabbi of Russia, HaGaon Rabbi Berel Lazar Shlita.
The district governor, the mayor, the city’s dignitaries and community leaders, led by the community’s president, Rabbi Akiva Khudainatov, welcomed the esteemed guest and showed him around the two historic buildings. They were extremely impressed by the magnificent results, restoring the crown to its former glory, which was made possible thanks to the support of the government as well as philanthropist Mr. Naum Babayev, a native of the city, along with additional donors from the community’s friends.
The place is a magnet for the city’s Jews and the many tourists who visit the area for its mineral waters and clean air. Located in the Caucasus Mountains, and known as Russia’s “City of the Sun”, it’s blessed with mild and sunny weather most of the year.
About 135 years ago, a synagogue was built in the area where the authorities allowed Jews to live at the time. For decades, it served the local Jewish community, until it was nationalized by the communist regime. During its years of activity, it was visited by the fifth Rebbe of Lubavitch, the Rebbe Rashab, who even established a soup kitchen in the area, which provided free food daily to every needy Jew. Later, his son, the Rebbe Rayatz, also arrived, organizing meetings for the rabbis of the surrounding cities to strengthen Judaism in their places of rabbinate. His son-in-law, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, also briefly visited the place when he came to meet his bride and father in law.
After managing to redeem the place a few years ago, the rabbi of the “Bolshaya Bronaya – Chabad” synagogue in Moscow, Rabbi Yitzhak HaCohen Kogan, transferred a Torah scroll through his student, Rabbi Akiva Khudainatov, a native of the city, who today heads the community and operates the place.
When it became possible to renovate the place, both from the authorities and from the donor, the project got underway. During renovations, the location of the original Mikva that had operated there was discovered. Despite the cracks and changes that had been made my the building’s residents over the years, one can still get a sense of the impressive beauty that had been invested by the Jews in those years, to build the place with maximum splendor and beauty.
Dozens of expert workers in the field restored the entire structure, according to photos that have been preserved since then, while expanding the place by adding a Torah Study Hall that will include a large Torah library.
At the celebration of the Chanukat Habayit, a congratulatory letter from the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia, Rabbi Alexander Boroda, was read by Russian’s Army and Prison Chaplain Rabbi Aharon Gurevich. Honored with affixing the mezuzah were the Shliach and Rabbi of the Republic of Tatarstan and the city of Kazan, Rabbi Yitzhak Gorelik, and the rabbi of the community in the city of Piategorsk, Rabbi Eliyahu Levin.
Rabbi Levi Shabayev, Rabbi to the city of Nalchik was also present, along with additional guests from the capital – Moscow.
