World Jewish News

Estonia is to open its first synagogue in the capital 63 years after the last one was destroyed during WWII.

The 200-seat synagogue will be opened in the capital Tallinn on May 16.
It is located next to the Estonian Jewish Community center and school.
In addition to hosting religious services and Jewish holiday celebrations, the synagogue will oversee the preparation and distribution of kosher food, as well as hosting a Mikvah, or ritual bath, and a Jewish museum.
"A synagogue is an integral part of Jewish life. It is good not only for Jews, but for all residents of our multi-ethnic Estonia," Chief Rabbi Kot has said.
Destroyed in WWII Tallinn's last functioning synagogue was built in 1882 but was destroyed in 1944 in a Soviet air raid as Nazis were feeing the country.
Estonia's Jewish community currently numbers around 3,000 people, down from 4,400 prior to WWII.
When the Nazis invaded Estonia in 1941, hundreds of Jews were sent to concentration camps.
The Soviet occupation of Estonia in 1940 led to the abrupt end of the Jewish cultural autonomy and hundreds of Jews were deported.
Most of Estonian Jews today live in Tallinn but also in the towns of Kohtla-Jarve, Narva and Tartu.

Источник: jewish.ru