Jewish community restores historical monuments in Chernivtsi

Members of the Jewish community Mykhailo Krais told about plans for the reconstruction of the momentous Jewish monuments in Chernivtsi, namely the Jewish cemetery on Zelena street and synagogues in Sadgora on Maurice Torez street.

According to him, now the restoration work in Sadgora synagogue is partially completed, including the refurbished facade, ‘Molodyy Bukovynets’ reports.

“I hope that by the middle of autumn all external and internal work will completed, and we will need to furnish the rooms. It will be an active synagogue, and we want to organize a pilgrimage here every Saturday in small groups, as well as tours,” he said.

In addition, in the synagogue area there is a house of Chief rabbi Nakhman Friedman where he had once lived together with the family.

“Restoration of the building is also planned,” says Krays, “but it is so neglected that, most likely, it will be rebuilt from scratch. Architects try to restore former appearance of the two houses since many photographs have been found and we have something to rely upon during restoration.

The construction of a mikvah - a ritual Jewish bath – is also in the plans. Currently its design is being developed and location is chosen to be a landmark for the Jewish community in the area.

As for the restoration of the Jewish cemetery on Zelena street, Michael Krays says that there is no real money yet, while there are guarantees from several organizations. Thus, the association of Jewish communities of Ukraine is ready to allocate 50 thousand Euro, Germania and Austrian embassies and other sponsors also have agreed to provide funds.

“In total we expect to get 500 thousand Euros - he says. “Half of the money will be invested in the restoration of the funeral facility at the cemetery, expansion of its area and mounting a new fence. Our community is small, so we do not plan to make the synagogue , but will make instead the Museum of the Holocaust, the genocide of the Jews of Bukovyna.