Rustam Minnikhanov took part in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Kazan synagogue

The Jewish community, representatives of the Jewish national-cultural autonomy in Tatarstan is an active part of  the society and participate in  life of Kazan and the republic  as a whole. This was stated  today at a ceremony in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Kazan synagogue  by  Acting President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the synagogue took place on   open ground, outside Profsouyznaya street in Kazan. The  celebration was attended by the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar, President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia Alexander Boroda,  Chief Rabbi of Tatarstan Yitzhak Gorelik,  RT Chairman of the Jewish National and Cultural Autonomy  Michael Skoblionok and others.

Speaking from the stage to the participants and guests of the event, Rustam Minnikhanov said that  it is nice to see the Kazan  synagogue in an updated, renovated form, and congratulated them on the holiday.

Chief Rabbi of Tatarstan Yitzhak Gorelik called today's event a great day. He recalled that "20 years ago, we returned the synagogue, which was built by our ancestors." On the 100th anniversary of the synagogue we returned it   to its present form, it adorns the city,  Yitzhak Gorelik said.

In turn, the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar, said that it is  good to see so many people at the festival. He noted that the republic "pays great attention to interethnic and interfaith relations, and it is not just words." Kazan synagogue looks great today, probably even better than 100 years ago, said   B.Lazar.

Guests of the event were creative teams - participants of the IV International Festival of Jewish music.

Further, Berl Lazar, Rustam Minnikhanov and other distinguished guests toured the new prayer hall of the Kazan synagogue.

For reference.

In Kazan, the Jewish population has emerged as a constant ethnic group after 1827, when Nicholas  issued a decree on the battalions of military cantonments in which Jewish boys were enrolled. Retired cantonists having a right to reside outside the Pale Jews and probably made the first nucleus of the Jewish community.

Officially Kazan Jewish community was established March 24, 1897.

March 2, 1915, built at the expense of Jews the  building   of  Kazan  Jewish house of worship was opened and served for religious community until May 1929, until  it not  grabbed  by  new authorities. Cult objects were  taken away, and the building of the synagogue passed  to the Ministry of Education,  the House of teachers  settled  in it.

In 2015,  celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Kazan synagogue are held  with the full support of the leadership of the Republic of Tatarstan.

We  remind  that in March 2015  a meeting  between  Rustam Minnikhanov of Tatarstan   and chief rabbi Yitzhak Gorelik and  chairman of the Jewish National and Cultural Autonomy RT Michael Skoblionk   took place. The main topic of the meeting was to preparing   celebration of the anniversary of the synagogue.

Press office of the President, Elena Britvina