‘Ner Tamid’ Shul Restored in Crimea After Decades of Neglect

A major restoration is underway at the historic Ner Tamid shul in Simferopol, Crimea, as the local Jewish community works to restore the more than 130-year-old building and return it to active Jewish use.

The extensive project is being led by Simferopol’s acting Rav, Rabbi Aviel Zev Kolpakov, who has been overseeing the renewed Jewish activity surrounding the historic shul.

Rabbi Kolpakov said that the name Ner Tamid carries particular meaning for a shul that survived decades of Communist persecution and separation from the Jewish community, representing the Jewish flame that continued burning despite everything that was done to extinguish it.

The restoration is part of the continuing growth of Yiddishkeit throughout the region under the leadership of Russia’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Berel Lazar, who guides the Shluchim and rabbonim working to rebuild Jewish life and institutions throughout cities and communities across the country.

Ner Tamid was originally dedicated in 5655, 1895. The imposing building featured a distinctive facade decorated with the Luchos and a Magen David, both of which were later removed during the years of Communist rule.

During the anti-religious persecutions of the 1920s, the authorities confiscated the shul’s tashmishei kedusha, including Torah crowns, silver yados and parochos. In 5690, 1930, the Communist authorities formally closed the shul.

The building was subsequently turned into a club and later used for offices, leaving Simferopol’s Yidden without the historic shul that had served the community before the Communist crackdown.

The building was finally returned to the Jewish community in 5755, 1995. Now, as part of a large-scale restoration of the historic structure, its interior has been stripped down to the original stone walls so that it can be rebuilt while preserving its original character.

The project is being managed by community president Aharon “Arkady” Tsirulnikov together with vice chairman Anatoly Gendin, who are coordinating the construction and the difficult logistics involved in bringing the necessary building materials to the site.

Significant progress has already been made. New columns have been installed, the Ezras Noshim galleries are being rebuilt, and new staircases have been constructed. The plans call for the architectural details of the shul to be restored as closely as possible to their original form.

The community hopes to complete the work in time for a major chanukas habayis during Adar or Nissan 5787, when the doors of Ner Tamid will once again open as a functioning shul and a home for Torah, tefilla and Jewish life.

Photo: Community Spokesperson