The Choral synagogue of Vitebsk (Belarusian: Харальная сінагога Віцебска, romanized: Charaĺnaja sinahoha Viciebska; Russian: Заручайная Синагога Витебска, romanized: Zarachaynaya Sinagoga Vitebska) was an Orthodox Jewish synagogue, located on Malo-Mogilevskaya Street in Vitebsk, Belarus. Known as the synagogue of Marc Chagall, its ruins have remained in the city since its destruction during World War II.
| Choral Synagogue of Vitebsk | |
|---|---|
Belarusian: Харальная сінагога Віцебска | |
 The former synagogue, in 1904 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism (former) |
| Rite | Nusach Ashkenaz |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue (1630–1929) |
| Status | Closed; subsequently destroyed |
| Location | |
| Location | Malo-Mogilevskaya Street, Vitebsk |
| Country | Belarus |
| Geographic coordinates | 55°00′N 29°30′E / 55°N 29.5°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style | Baroque |
| Completed | 1630 |
| Destroyed | c. 1939 |
History
editThe synagogue was built in 1630.[1] It is most commonly known as being the synagogue of the artist Marc Chagall.[2][3]
The synagogue was closed in 1929, and destroyed during World War II. Its ruins remain in the city of Vitebsk to this day, and have become a symbol of the decline of the Jewish community of Belarus.[2][3] In recent years, the municipal government of Vitebsk has offered to sell the synagogue to anyone willing to rebuild it, on the condition that they restore the building as it was prior to its destruction.[2]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Jewish Roots in Belarus" (PDF). Holidays with Downtown. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Liphshiz, Cnaan (30 January 2021). "Marc Chagall's synagogue in Belarus is for sale to anyone willing to restore it". Times of Israel. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ a b Bohlen, Celestine (18 May 2015). "Belarus City Links Chagall to Lost Jewish Culture". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 May 2022.