New Synagogue to Rise at Black Sea Port

Boris Gelman, vice chairman of the Jewish community of Sevastopol, announced that construction of a new synagogue will soon commence in the Ukrainian Black Sea port. Chief Rabbi Binymain Wolf, a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary in the region, will spearhead the project, which will be located next to the city’s Holocaust memorial.

“The synagogue project has already approved and fundraising for its construction is currently underway,” said Gelman. “Rabbi Wolf has been visiting potential supporters in Israel and the United States. The synagogue will be designed to accommodate up to 500 people.”

While the 2001 census indicated that little more than 1,000 Jews live in Sevastopol, community officials believe that as many as 2,500 Jews call the port home.

The Chabad Jewish Community of Sevastopol was established in 2004, and currently has premises that are used as a synagogue, library and celebration hall.