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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.
 
  

Outside the great shul of Kiev
 

Dozens of journalists crowding the entrance to the shul
 

4,000 Jews participate
in Purim celebration in Kiev
 


YECHI ADONEINU MOREINU V'RABBEINU MELECH HA'MOSHIACH L'OLAM VA'ED!

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