The Religious Information Service of Ukraine reports that the restoration of the synagogue and rebbe’s residence in Sadagora, a suburb of Chernivtsi, is nearing completion after three years of work, and the site will be open to the public within months.
A Hasidic center, including hotel, is being planned there to accommodate the pilgrims expected to visit the site, where one of the most flamboyant Hasidic dynasties held court in the 19th century, the report says. The tomb of the Tzaddikim in the nearby, long-neglected Jewish cemetery, already a pilgrimage site, is also being restored.
(A JHE reader who visited the site on April 4, however, says the restoration is a long way from completion and work seemed to be stalled — see the comment below this post.)
The huge, Moorish-style synagogue, with turrets, towers and big arched windows, was built by, Rabbi Abraham Jacob Friedmann, who succeeded his father Rebbe Israel Friedman, the founder of the dynasty, and continued the opulent court. For decades under the Soviets it housed a machine shop for collective farms, and later stood derelict.
“These two objects will become a place of Hasidic pilgrimage from around the world. And since they will be completed this year […] the city expects many more Hasidim and tourists,” a RISU report in February said.
RISU notes that dozens of trees, many of which were apparently diseased, have been cut down both around the synagogue and in the cemetery; other vegetation is being cleared, and the area around the synagogue will be landscaped, including the construction of a pathway.
Restoration began in 2013 (see picture HERE). In February, RISU reported that the building should be able to open to the public this summer, when partial landscaping, the facade, and some of the rooms will be completed.
“We are completing all work on the facade in the next five months,” says Michael Kreis, who oversees all renovations here on behalf of the descendants of the Sadgora rebbe […] Outside landscaping and second floor will remain for the autumn. First, so to speak, we plan the opening for mid-summer when the main hall is ready for prayer, and the main opening for late autumn.”
Already in February, the report said, the windows had been replaced, and in the upper parts of them stained glass windows made by Chernivtsi artist Anatoliy Fedirko had been installed, each featuring an image from the Torah.
Access the RISU article (in Ukrainian) from March 24, including pictures
Access the RISU article (in English) from February, including pictures
2 comments on “Ukraine: Sadagora synagogue restoration nearing completion?”
Nowhere near finished. Same state last week [April 4, 2016] as it was three months ago. They don’t want anyone to get in but the customary $1 to the watchman talks and $2 or $3 lets you wander around the whole site. No evidence of any hotel being built anywhere nearby. Whoever is bank rolling this is being taken for a ride. Complete waste of money. There are no thousands of pilgrims waiting to come.
Many thanks for your update; I will mention it in the post. Let’s hope that with spring weather it can get back on track…..