Mixed News on Ukrainian Sites
Kiev Jews Reclaim Synagogue
One of Kiev’s Hasidic congregations has reclaimed the Brodsky Synagogue
-- the largest in Ukraine’s capital city. In 1991, the Ukrainian
President signed a decree which ensured restitution of communal religious
property. Kiev’s city administration and the Culture Ministry, however,
were reluctant to return the Brodsky Synagogue as it has housed a popular
puppet theater since 1955. The theater wouldn’t move out, though,
and the Jewish community was forced to file suit against the theater and
the city administration. Despite Ukraine’s High Court of Arbitration’s
decision that the theater vacate the synagogue, it appeared unlikely that
they would do so.
It was only after Vadim Rabinovich -- President of the All-Ukrainian
Jewish Congress -- donated $100,000 to the puppet theater, funding their
relocation, that the puppet theater vacated. Other communities that
do not have access to large amounts of funding are finding it difficult
to have the same decree enforced.
Nadvornaya Cemetery Saved
In June of this year, the regional appointee of the President of Ukraine,
Mikhail Vishivanyuk, signed a protocol stating clearly that a Jewish cemetery
in Nadvornaya (in south-west Ukraine, near Poland) could be fenced according
to its historic boundaries. This means that the 16,000 burials in
the cemetery will no longer be disturbed. Sewage lines have already
been run through the cemetery, but plans for the building of a road through
the cemetery have now been tabled.
Kharkov Synagogue Burns
The synagogue in Kharkov was heavily damaged by a fire which ravaged
the building on August 31, 1998. Kharkov’s chief rabbi, Moshe Moscowitz
suspects arson as the cause. The c. 1910 building, which was returned
to the Jewish community in 1990 after serving as sports hall, had been
undergoing renovation. As it had no electrical wiring or gas pipes
at the time of the blaze, arson is the likeliest cause.
[Table of Contents] [Top of Article] [Next Article]
Contact the Editor
of Jewish Heritage Report
http://www.isjm.org/jhr/nosII1-2/ukraine..htm
Updated: 1-7-99