Derbent Synagogue

Synagogue in the city of Derbent

Derbent Synagogue
Дербентская синагога

Religion
Affiliation| Orthodox Judaism
Year consecrated| 1914
Status| Active
Location
Location|  Derbent, Russia
Geographic coordinates| 42°03′25″N 48°17′29″E﻿ / ﻿42.05694°N 48.29139°E﻿ / 42.05694; 48.29139
Architecture
Type| Synagogue
Founder| The Khanukaev Family[1][2]
Groundbreaking| 1913
Completed| 1914
Materials| Limestone blocks

The Derbent Synagogue, also known as Kele-Numaz[1] (Russian: Дербентская синагога "Келе-Нумаз", romanized: Derbentskaya sinagoga "Kele-Numaz"; Hebrew: בית הכנסת דרבנט "קל-נומז", romanized: Beit haKnesset Derbent "Kel-Numaz") was the only synagogue in the city of Derbent[3] in the Russian Republic of Dagestan. On 23 June 2024, it was destroyed in an attack on Derbent.

## 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,[4] the central, flat part by Mountain Jews, and the lower part, near the sea by Armenians and Russians.[4][5]

The Kele-Numaz synagogue was opened in 1914[6] and is under the supervision of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia (FJCR).[4]

At the beginning of the Soviet era there were 11 synagogues in the city,[7] including the Kele-Numaz.[8]

In February 1904 the Mountain Jewish community petitioned the city authorities to allocate land for the construction of a new synagogue.[8] The petition said that during the time of the Derbent Khanate,[8] 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.[8]

The city authorities allocated 300 square meters 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).[8]

## Restoration

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In 2009 the synagogue was dismantled and reconstructed using old stones and new materials.[7][1] The rebuilt building is called the Jewish Community Center.[7][9]

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."[7]

The total area of the Jewish Community Center is 2500 square meters.[7] There is a mikveh, the Municipal Kindergarten and the Museum of Mountain Jews.[1][7]

The synagogue's reopening on March 22, 2010[3] was attended by the President of Dagestan Magomedsalam Magomedov and rabbi Berel Lazar.[1][10]

## 2024 attack

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On 23 June 2024, the synagogue was attacked and burned to the ground in a terrorist attack.[11][12][13][14][15]

## References

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### Notes

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1. ^ a b c d e Synagogue of Mountain Jews "Kele-Numaz" in Derbent - the largest in the North Caucasus
2. ^ Синагога "Келе-Нумаз"
3. ^ a b Jewish community of ancient Derbent
4. ^ a b c Synagogue "Kele-Numaz". Derbent
5. ^ Ilya Karpenko. Gate of the East
6. ^ Synagogue of Kele Numaz
7. ^ a b c d e f Synagogue "Kele-Numaz"
8. ^ a b c d e Synagogue "Kele-Numaz" in the city of Derbent
9. ^ Information about the synagogue
10. ^ New synagogue and Jewish community center opened in Derbent
11. ^ Terrorists burned the Jewish synagogue in Derbent. 06-23-2024.
12. ^ Nightmare in Dagestan. 06-23-2024.
13. ^ Gunmen in Russia’s Dagestan attack churches, synagogue and police post. 06-23-2024.
14. ^ Gunmen Kill at Least 6 at Synagogue and Churches in Russian Republic. 06-23-2024.
15. ^ Israel Tsvaygenbaum. What is the meaning of the destruction of the Dagestan, Russia synagogues by terrorists? 07-03-2024.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Derbent Synagogue.

* Jewish community of ancient Derbent
* Opening of the synagogue in Derbent, March 22, 2010