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Derbent Synagogue

Coordinates: 42°03′25″N 48°17′29″E / 42.05694°N 48.29139°E / 42.05694; 48.29139
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Derbent Synagogue
Russian: Дербентская синагога
The synagogue in 2015, prior to its destruction
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism (former)
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
StatusDestroyed
Location
Location94 Tagi-Zade Street, Derbent, Dagestan, North Caucasus
CountryRussia
Derbent Synagogue is located in Republic of Dagestan
Derbent Synagogue
Location of the destroyed synagogue in Dagestan
Geographic coordinates42°03′25″N 48°17′29″E / 42.05694°N 48.29139°E / 42.05694; 48.29139
Architecture
TypeSynagogue architecture
Funded byThe Khanukaev Family
Groundbreaking1913
Completed1914; rebuilt 2010
MaterialsLimestone blocks
Website
kelenumaz.ru
Invalid designation
Official nameSynagogue
TypeMonument
CriteriaRegional significance
DesignatedJanuary 28, 1997
Reference no.Logo for the "Viki Loves Monuments" contest Cultural heritage site № 0500002721
[1][2][3][4]

The Derbent Synagogue, also known as Kele-Numaz (Russian: Дербентская синагога "Келе-Нумаз", romanized: Derbentskaya sinagoga "Kele-Numaz"; Hebrew: בית הכנסת דרבנט "קל-נומז", romanized: Beit haKnesset Derbent "Kel-Numaz") was a former Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 94 Tagi-Zade Street, in the city of Derbent[5] in the Republic of Dagestan, in the North Caucasus of Russia.[2]

The only synagogue in Derbent, it was destroyed in a terrorist attack on 23 June 2024. In 1997, prior to its destruction, the synagogue was listed on the Russian cultural heritage register as a monument of regional significance.[4]

History

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In 19th century Derbent the upper, oldest part of the city, closer to the citadel of Naryn-Kala, was primarily inhabited by Muslims,[6] the central, flat part by Mountain Jews, and the lower part, near the sea by Armenians and Russians.[6][7]

The Kele-Numaz synagogue was opened in 1914[8] and is under the supervision of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia (FJCR).[6]

At the beginning of the Soviet era there were 11 synagogues in the city,[9] including the Kele-Numaz.[10]

In February 1904 the Mountain Jewish community petitioned the city authorities to allocate land for the construction of a new synagogue.[10] The petition said that during the time of the Derbent Khanate,[10] the Jews built a synagogue on the 2nd Komendantskaya Street (the Midrash Eliyahu synagogue), but the number of congregants had increased beyond the synagogue's capacity.[10]

The city authorities allocated 300 m2 (3,200 sq ft) to the Mountain Jewish community for the construction of a prayer house at the corner of Golitsyn Street (now Buynaksk Street) and Kolodezny Lane (now Chapayev Lane).[10]

Restoration

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In 2009 the synagogue was dismantled and reconstructed using old stones and new materials.[9][2] The rebuilt building is called the Jewish Community Center.[9][11] Above the main entrance of the Jewish community center a sign in Hebrew says, "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst."[9] The total area of the Jewish Community Center is 2,500 m2 (27,000 sq ft).[9] There is a mikveh, the Municipal Kindergarten and the Museum of Mountain Jews.[2][9] The President of Dagestan, Magomedsalam Magomedov, and rabbi Berel Lazar attended the reopening of the synagogue on March 22, 2010.[5][2][12]

Terrorist attack

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On 23 June 2024, the synagogue was attacked and burned to the ground in a terrorist attack.[13][14][15][16][17] Days after the attack, it was reported that the congregation plans to rebuild the synagogue.[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Hanukaev Synagogue in Derbent". Historic Synagogues of Europe. Foundation for Jewish Heritage and the Center for Jewish Art at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. n.d. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Synagogue of Mountain Jews "Kele-Numaz" in Derbent - the largest in the North Caucasus". stmegi.com.
  3. ^ "Синагога "Келе-Нумаз"" [Derbent Synagogue "Kele-Numaz"]. geocaching.su (in Russian).
  4. ^ a b "синагоги" (Searchable database). Сведения из Единого государственного реестра объектов культурного наследия (памятников истории и культуры) народов Российской Федерации (in Russian). Ministry of Culture (Russia). Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Jewish community of ancient Derbent". gorskie.ru.
  6. ^ a b c "Synagogue "Kele-Numaz". Derbent". Ministry of Culture (Russia). Archived from the original on August 1, 2016.
  7. ^ Karpenko, Ilya. "Gate of the East". Lechaim.ru.
  8. ^ "Synagogue of Kele Numaz". Caspian Travel.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Synagogue "Kele-Numaz"". Izi.travel.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Synagogue "Kele-Numaz" in the city of Derbent". Russia Travel.
  11. ^ "Home page". Kele-Numaz.[self-published source?]
  12. ^ "New synagogue and Jewish community center opened in Derbent". kavkaz-uzel.eu.
  13. ^ "Terrorists burned the Jewish synagogue in Derbent". Channel 3 Now. June 23, 2024.
  14. ^ "Nightmare in Dagestan". Glavnoe News. June 23, 2024.
  15. ^ "Gunmen in Russia's Dagestan attack churches, synagogue and police post". France24. June 23, 2024.
  16. ^ "Gunmen Kill at Least 6 at Synagogue and Churches in Russian Republic". New York Times. June 23, 2024.
  17. ^ Tsvaygenbaum, Israel (July 3, 2024). "What is the meaning of the destruction of the Dagestan, Russia synagogues by terrorists?". Jewish World News.
  18. ^ Bharath, Deepa (June 29, 2024). "Dagestani Jews determined to rebuild after deadly terror attacks in southern Russia". The Times of Israel. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
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