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Derbent Synagogue
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] HistoryIn 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] RestorationIn 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] 2024 terrorist attackOn 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] See alsoReferences
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