Thousands
Participate In Dedication Of Shul In Kiev
On
Wednesday, the 16th of Adar Sheini, there was a grand celebration for
the chanukas ha’bayis of the central shul in Kiev,
called Brodsky, after Mr. Brodsky who built the shul in 5658
(1898).
When
the communists rose to power, they closed the shul and used the
building for their own purposes. The shul became a club, and in
1956, it became a puppet theater.
For
some years, there had been negotiations with the cultural department of
the country to get the shul back. After the fall of communism,
the request was dealt with seriously, and with the help of askanei
Chabad, part of the shul was returned to its original owners
in 5751. In 5757, the entire building was finally returned to the Jewish
community of Kiev.
That
year, Rabbi Moshe Reuven Esman arrived in Kiev in order to work with the
Jewish community. His primary goal, he says, is to breathe life back
into the Jewish community of Kiev, especially through renovating the shul.
With tremendous dedication and perseverance, he succeeded. Rabbi Esman
managed to win the sympathies of both local and non-local donors to help
complete the necessary work on the shul, which stands as the
eternal answer to seventy years of communism and oppression. It provides
proof that “am Yisroel chai v’kayam.”
Construction
didn’t take long. A lot was put into the planning and design of the
building. After a year and three months of non-stop work, the job was
done and the central shul of Kiev was completed. Its facade
indicates that it was built in the previous century, but inside it is
outfitted with the most modern improvements. The offices of the Jewish
community on the top floor are modernized, and the large area where davening
takes place contains a beautiful, handcrafted wooden aron kodesh,
a spacious hall and brightly lit chandeliers. The hall is surrounded by
silken mechitzos and gracing the lobby is a unique candelabra,
crafted by the famous Israeli silversmith, Mr. Frank Meisler. The bottom
floor consists of a kitchen and a dining room that can seat 500 people.
Thousands
of Jews eagerly anticipated this chanukas ha’bayis. At 3:00
p.m., they, along with the Rebbe’s shluchim to the C.I.S.,
gathered in a nearby city square while tears of happiness flowed for the
merit of being present at such a historic event. The ceremony began with
the ribbon cutting ceremony at the main entrance of the shul by
the rav of the kehilla, Rabbi Esman, and representatives
of the Ukrainian government.
Government
officials attended the event. Mr. Yuri Bagotsky, Ukrainian President
Leonid Kotchma’s personal representative, read the president’s
greetings. The shul was opened amidst great joy with a golden key
made specifically for the occasion. A mezuza was put up, to the
sounds of rejoicing by the thousands of participants at this historical
turning point. The crowd was invited inside for the remainder of the
program, where distinguished members of the community, rabbanim
of the Ukraine, and supporters were given 18 sifrei Torah to
hold. These sifrei Torah were rescued from the communists’
basements and after being checked and fixed they were returned to where
they belong, the aron kodesh.
The
speakers included Rabbi Yaakov Bleich, chief rabbi of the Ukraine, Rabbi
Shmuel Kaminetzky, chief rabbi of Dniepropetrovsk, Rabbi Meir Stambler,
director of the United Jewish Communities of the Ukraine, Rabbi Eliezer
Avtzon, director of Global Jewish Assistance, the British Ambassador to
the Ukraine, Mr. Roland Smith, a special emissary of the German
government, the ambassadors of Germany, Australia, France, and Poland
and many others. Shluchim from Berditchev, Zhitomir, Cherson, and
Charkov were also present.
Many
of the people who couldn’t get in due to lack of space were still able
to attend a special Purim event. 4,000 Jews gathered to celebrate Purim
with a victorious spirit. They were entertained by Jewish singers from
the C.I.S. and fulfilled the mitzvos of Purim.
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