Watch: synagogue restored in Muslim capital

The city of Kazan, capital of Tatarstan, the Republic Muslims of Russia, celebrated over the weekend the 100th anniversary of the Jewish synagogue in the big city, in a number of special events culminating in the central opening event of the synagogue, after undergoing renovation and reconstruction, with the participation of President of the Republic Rustem Minihanob, Mayor Ilsor Matachine, Rabbi of the city and Chabad emissary Rabbi Nachum Yitzchak Gorelik, Chabad shluchim and rabbis of cities in Russia, headed by Chief Rabbi of Russia Hagaon R' Berel Lazar and a big crowd of the city's Jews.

The historic synagogue which was opened 100 years ago, was taken from the Jews and desecrated during the Communist regime and was turned into a culture center. Most of the symbols of the Jewish synagogue were replaced with cultural symbols and various statues, including a statue of Lenin.

For years Jews tried to trace the local synagogue's original look and slowly began to recover its first appearance, with the help of documentation which was located and thanks to symbols left in the building.

When the president of the republic heard from Russia's Rabbi Hagaon R' Berel Lazar, of the initiative to restore and repair the synagogue, he decided to make available all necessary to the community, including financial assistance, to take part in a presidential official execution of the works.

In an exciting and unique event held in the street next to the synagogue, the city's Jews celebrated the completion of the renovation and restoration, which turned the ancient synagogue into a luxurious one.

At the end of the main event, President of the Republic and his entourage came in for a tour of the synagogue where he was greeted by the local Mara De'asra, Rabbi Gorelik, Rabbi of Russia Harav Lazar and president of FJC Russia R' Alexander Barda, who told him about the great activity in the building, with Jewish institutions operated for the benefit of thousands of Jews in the city.

In the afternoon, the mayor hosted the Chief Rabbi, rabbi of the city and dozens of municipal rabbis in Russia who came to a special halachic seminar held in the combined events marking 100 years of the synagogue.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!