The Beit T'shuva Synagogue () is a Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 7 Mayakovskogo Street, in the city of Birobidzhan, in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast of Russia.
History The oldest synagogue in the city, established in 1986, it is sometimes referred to as "Birobidzhan's old synagogue". While for years, the congregation's religious services included a blend of Christian and Jewish traditions, in 2005, under its leader of many years, Rabbi Boris "Dov" Kaufman, it underwent a transformation to become a "strictly Jewish" synagogue without any Christian influence.Dickey, Lisa. "Birobidzhan - Back to the Synagogue", "Russian Chronicles", The Washington Post blogs, September 12, 2007.Nettleton, Steve. "Emigration to Israel empties 'homeland' for Jews contrived in the Stalinist era ", Exodus from the east, CNN, 2001.McMahon, Colin. "Jewish Republic Struggles to Retain Identity ", Chicago Tribune, April 7, 2001.
The synagogue, known for its warmth and quaintness, is located in a small Siberian-style wooden house. In 2010, The Christian Science Monitor reported that "nowhere are the ties between Jews and non-Jews here clearer than in Birobidzhan's tiny second synagogue, located on the outskirts of the city." The Monitor went on to convey a scene to back-up its claim:
See also
History of the Jews in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast List of synagogues in Russia
References
External links