On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, there was an extremely important event for the Jews of Ulyanovsk – a city in Russia.

After eighty years, of not having a place to pray, a new Shul has finally been opened. The first synagogue in Ulyanovsk was built one hundred and thirty years ago, there were three afterwards. The last one was closed by the “Communists” in the beginning of the 1930s. Despite of some active Jewish life in Ulyanovsk, the local Jewish Community felt that something was missing, a synagogue, so when the new Rabbi, Rabbi Yosef Morozov came to the city he started organized the Shul actively.

There were endless negotiations with different organizations, to try to get some money. There was a room in the community center, but it needed to be repaired, with electricity, windows, furniture, etc. There was already a Sefer Torah, and a minyan taking place in one of the class rooms in the Jewish Center – from the first day that the Rabbi arrived two years ago – but the local community needed a real Shul!

After some time it became evident to the Rabbi that only by gathering some local businessmen will he get the money it takes to do the proper renovations to build a Shul. Sure enough, the rabbi asked local businessmen and the impossible became possible.

Some people helped to get free windows, some helped with the repair, and others gave money. In total there were more than twenty people, who participated in organizing this Shul – their names are engraved on a plaque entering the Shul.

A synagogue always played an important role in Jewish life, it is a place devoted to prayer and gathering. Now, Ulyanovsk Jews have this opportunity!

(YWN Desk – NYC)