Russia invades Crimea, starts restoring synagogues there
Crimean journalists were told how the Jewish community regained the synagogue
September 24, 2026
The construction site of the "Ner-Tomid" synagogue in Simferopol was visited by the TV "Crimea 24" film crew.
Journalists met with representatives of Jewish organizations of the city and the republic - including the head of the Regional NKA of Jews of the Republic of Kazakhstan A.I. Gendin.
They were also told how the restoration work is going, what plans are related to the future use of the building after commissioning. The community has been waiting for this moment for 32 years, Anatoly Isaakovich reminded.
Today, from the historical synagogues of Simferopol, only "Ner-Tomid" and "Talmud-Torah" - an educational religious institution for boys - were returned to the community. The rest are either destroyed or converted for housing and other needs.
The building of the "Ner-Tomid" synagogue was returned to the community with 80 percent wear and tear. Since 1994, attempts have been made to find funding. Real movements began after 2014 with the assistance of FEOR, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar and the support of Russian President V.V. Putin.
The restoration project was carried out by the organization "Restoration Center" LLC (Lipetsk), the general contractor was Stroyliance LLC (Kaluga). Since June 2025, late extensions have been dismantled at the facility, walls, openings, foundations and rafter structures have been strengthened, floors and surfaces have been prepared for finishing. Builders work ahead of schedule.
The deadline for commissioning of the facility is March 2027. Active assistance in solving issues arising in the process of restoration work is provided by the State Committee of Crimea, the Ministry of Culture of Crimea and the city administration.