Derbent Synagogue

Derbent Synagogue
Russian: Дербентская синагога
The synagogue in 2015, prior to its destruction
Religion
Affiliation	Orthodox Judaism (former)
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Synagogue
Status	Destroyed
Location
Location	94 Tagi-Zade Street, Derbent, Dagestan, North Caucasus
Country	Russia
Location of the destroyed synagogue in Dagestan
Geographic coordinates	42°03′25″N 48°17′29″E / 42.05694°N 48.29139°E / 42.05694; 48.29139
Architecture
Type	Synagogue architecture
Funded by	The Khanukaev Family
Groundbreaking	1913
Completed	1914; rebuilt 2010
Materials	Limestone blocks
Website
kelenumaz.ru
Invalid designation
Official name	Synagogue
Type	Monument
Criteria	Regional significance
Designated	January 28, 1997
Reference no.	051711300310005
[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]

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]

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]

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]

• History of the Jews in Derbent
• History of the Jews in Russia
• List of synagogues in Russia

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Derbent Synagogue.

• Official website
• Jewish community of ancient Derbent
• Opening of the synagogue in Derbent (streaming video). YouTube. March 22, 2010.