Choral Synagogue (Vilnius)

The Choral Synagogue of Vilnius (Lithuanian: Vilniaus choralinė sinagoga) is the only synagogue in Vilnius that is still in use. The other synagogues were destroyed partly during World War II, when Lithuania was occupied by Nazi Germany, and partly by the Soviet authorities after the war.

For similarly named synagogues, see Choral Synagogue.
Choral Synagogue of Vilnius
Religion
AffiliationJudaism
StatusIn use
Location
LocationVilnius' Old Town, Lithuania
Architecture
Architect(s)Dovydas Rosenhauzas
Completed1903
A Yiddish flag on the synagogue's fence

The Choral Synagogue of Vilnius was built in 1903.[1]

The synagogue is built in a Romanesque-Moorish style.[2]

It is the only active synagogue that survived both the Holocaust and Soviet rule in this city that once had over 100 synagogues.[1][3] During the occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union the synagogue was nationalised and turned into a metal factory.[4] Resulting from this usage the building suffered considerable damage. It was restored in 2010 and opened again as a synagogue shortly thereafter.[4] International donations and a small community of Jews in Vilnius support the synagogue. The synagogue holds services and is open to visitors.[2]

In 2019, the synagogue along with the Jewish community headquarters was temporarily closed due to threats from right-wing groups. The decision coincided with a rise in antisemitic rhetoric related to public debate about honoring Lithuanian collaborators.[5][6]

  • Synagogue interior
  • Synagogue interior
  • Synagogue interior
  • Synagogue in 1916

See also

References
  1. "Restoration of the Roof and Attic of Vilnius Choral Synagogue". World Monuments Fund. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  2. "The Choral Synagogue of Vilnius". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  3. Kim, Lucian (October 16, 2018). "Excavation Of Lithuania's Great Synagogue Highlights A 'Painful Page' From History". NPR. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  4. "Vilnius Choral Synagogue". World Monuments Fund. Retrieved 2019-10-17.
  5. "Lithuanian community reopens Vilnius shul days after contested closure". Times of Israel. August 11, 2019.
  6. Liphshiz, Cnaan (August 9, 2019). "Lithuanian Jews reopen Vilnius synagogue 2 days after contested closure". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2020-10-04.


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