Headway Made on Synagogue and Community Center project in Novosibirsk

NOVOSIBIRSK, Russia -– Headway is being made on the construction of a new Synagogue and Jewish Community Center in Novosibirsk, the capital of Siberia. Information on Jewish life in the region reached tens of thousands of readers through an interview with Chief Rabbi of Novosibirsk Zalman Zaklas, published this week in the local issue of the popular Russian newspaper “Arguments and Facts”.

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Rabbi Zalman Zaklas and his wife are helping this growing Jewish community expand past their previously limited accommodation of 300 square meters to a space of 3,000 squared meters. An estimated 15,000 Jews currently reside in Novosibirsk. The new complex will feature a Synagogue, library, meeting rooms, internet café, kosher restaurant, sports complex, and house its current Sunday school, kindergarten, computer room, music ensemble, soup kitchen and other humanitarian aid efforts, and separate clubs for youth, women, and senior citizens.

The Jewish community of Novosibirsk is appreciative of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia for its significant assistance in the Synagogue’s construction and to its main supporters: The Rohr Family Foundation, headed by Mr. Sami Rohr of Miami and his son, Mr. George Rohr of New York; the Keren Keshet Foundation, headed by Mr. Arthur Fried and Mem Bernstein. It is also grateful to Alexander Shpigelman, a Deputy in the Regional Legislature and local businessman, for all his support in this project, and to dozens of other local sponsors.