Full circle: the Cantonists synagogue returned to the Jews

With participation of hundreds of Jews from the city of Tomsk in Siberia, several exciting Torah events were held, continuing the revival of Russian Jewry in general and Judaism in particular in Siberia.

To Moscow arrived especially the chief rabbi of Russia, Hgr"b Lazar, who came following the invitation of Tomsk City Rabbi and Chabad shaliach, Rabbi Levi Kamenetsky, working among the Jews of the city over eight years, during which a magnificent synagogue was built, school Or Avner and another string of religious institutions.

Peak of excitement during the events was a new Sefer Torah was brought in to the synagogue in the city center, in a grand procession in honor of the Torah. The cornerstone was laid later for the luxurious new community Jewish center, whose construction will begin soon, as a dignified and appropriate residence for many activities of the Jewish community in Tomsk.

Some rabbis in nearby cities also took part in the events: Rabbi of Novosibirsk Rabbi Zalman Zaklas, and Rabbi of the city of Karnoiarsk Rabbi Benjamin HaCohen Wagner.

Grand reception was held by Tomsk city governor and district, for the Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi of Tomsk Rabbi Kamenetsky and community leaders.

At the end of the meeting, the governor promised to restore the Jewish community ownership of the historic structure of the old synagogue, built of wood by Cantonists Jewish soldiers deported by the Russian Czar in those days to distant Siberia. To speed up the process the Governor even promised to find alternative housing for the 15 families who have settled over the years in the historic and holy building.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!