The Turetsky Choir performed at the great Synagogue of Kharkov, Ukraine during celebrations which were held in anticipation of the 100 year anniversary since the Shul was built in 1913.

Kharkov Synagogue Gears Up for 100th Anniversary

The Turetsky Choir performed at the great Synagogue of Kharkov, Ukraine during celebrations which were held in anticipation of the 100 year anniversary since the Shul was built in 1913.

Over 1,500 people – young and old – packed the synagogue, and a large screen outside enabled the people who couldn’t get in to enjoy the program from the street.

The program began with a short video of the Rebbe before the Six Day War . The Rebbe spoke strongly of the ability and privilege that Jews in the Diaspora have to help our brethren in Israel through adding Torah and Mitzvos and Ahavas Yisroel.

Rabbi Moishe Moskovitz, Chief Rabbi of Kharkov, then led the crowd in a prayer for the safety of all of the Land of Israel.

In celebrating 100 years, he reminded the crowd of how many years the bricks of the synagogue heard the sounds of basketball and football – as the Communists had converted the building into a sports complex. “Now we are witnessing a clear miracle where such a crowd can be proud to celebrate publicly our Jewish pride,” he said.

Rabbi Moskovitz thanked Senator Alexander Feldman for sponsoring the concert and his constant support for the community. Mr. Feldman in turn thanked the shluchim for reviving Judaism in Kharkov, and Mr. George Rohr for helping to renovate the beautiful synagogue that is one of the largest in Europe.

The president of the synagogue, Alexander Kaganovsky, also spoke of how we are now witnessing the revival of Jewish life – in an unprecedented and unbelievable way.

The Turetsky Choir sang Jewish songs – ranging from Od Yishoma to Moshiach – including a few with special mention of the 100th anniversary.

Hundreds of men put on Tefilin, including the members of the Choir, and every woman and girl received Shabbos Candles.

7 Comments

  • Mushka

    Kol hakovod to the moscowitz family
    This past summer I was in Kiev with mrs Swerdlow’s touring camp and mrs moscowitz addressed us one evening. She shared with us an incredible story of endless challenges,mesiras nefesh and difficulties they endured
    They had so much opposition yet with the Koach of the Rebbes shlichus they persevered and today they can celebrate

  • Inna_kharkov

    as far as I remember there was sport cometee Spartak in this building, so 100 years of what they celebrated?)))))