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]
History
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]
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]
Restoration
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]
Terrorist attack
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]
^ ab"синагоги"(Searchable database). Сведения из Единого государственного реестра объектов культурного наследия (памятников истории и культуры) народов Российской Федерации (in Russian). Ministry of Culture (Russia). Retrieved September 8, 2024.
