Synagogues in Ukraine. How Is Their Heritage Preserved?

In Jewish communities scattered across the world, the synagogue is a social and spiritual centre. In these beautiful buildings with large windows, one of which faces towards Jerusalem, not only are God's Commandments preached, but public matters are also decided, solemn ceremonies held and guests received. In the 'Houses of Assembly' the community's board sits and a communal court operates. Sadly, many spiritual heirs of King Solomon's First Temple were destroyed by the Holocaust. Some buildings were saved when churches of other denominations, or organisations and institutions, came to occupy their walls. Let us look, through examples, at what synagogues in Ukraine are like.

Uzhhorod. The former synagogue, 1904.

Dolyna: Ancient at the Roots, Young at Heart

I had long wanted to see old Dolyna. The town's thousand-year history begins from this spot, where the salt springs were already being used in the 10th century. Today it is a quiet, green district of the town, and it was its notable sights that I set off to get to know.

The main enterprise was the saltworks, now turned into ruins, though it is a monument of industrial architecture. This is what it looked like at the beginning of the 20th century; how it looks now I will see at the end of my journey.

Dolyna. A town of oil workers in the Boyko region

I have been to Dolyna in the Ivano-Frankivsk region several times. I will write about one trip to the "Boykivshchyna" local history museum.
Through this district centre, home to 20,000 people, runs the highway Lviv — Ivano-Frankivsk — Chernivtsi. A ring interchange connects the town with Zakarpattia.
By the main roundabout you are greeted by a sculpture of the Archangel Michael, mounted on a column. This monument is called "To the Fighters for the Ukrainian State" and is the town's calling card.