The Jewish community in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine (formerly Stanisławów) has launched an emergency fund-raising campaign to repair the Tempel synagogue, which has suffered considerable water damage due to recent heavy rains.
According to the web site jewishnews.com.ua, the community is seeking 120,000 hryvnia (around €4,000) for urgent repairs — it said the community had raised funds for “minimal” repairs a few months ago but did not have the resources for the main work.
The web site posted pictures of the damage, showing interior as well as exterior water damage, with parts of the crumbling facade taped off for security reasons.
It quoted the head of the Jewish community, Igor Perelman, as saying that unless the current damage is contained, the structural integrity of building as a whole could be threatened.
The roof of the synagogue began to collapse, and due to heavy rains in Ivano-Frankivsk, water penetrated to the facade of the building. […] there is a risk of destroying the synagogue.
Built in 1894-99 for the progressive Jewish community, the synagogue was a monumental building with four onion dome-topped towers, designed by the noted Vienna-based architect Wilhelm Stiassny.
After World War II, the Soviets reconstructed the building and converted it into a club for the medical academy.
The towers were removed, but according to the Center for Jewish Art it is not known whether this took place during or after the war .
The synagogue was returned to the Jewish community in 1990. Major renovations took place in 2007. In addition to a prayer hall, the building also houses a mikvah, kosher restaurant, library, and guest rooms.
The Jewish community has activated a bank account to collect donations for the repair work.
Click here to see the account (at bottom of the page).
For details, call these phone numbers in Ivano-Frankivsk:
+380 (0) 50 587 5040
+380 (0) 97 116 8347
NOTE: You can also donate by check or PayPal via Gesher Galicia
Americans can make a tax deductible donation by PayPal or check through the Nadworna Shtetl Research group via Gesher Galicia.
Please click the link below and follow the instructions.
https://www.geshergalicia.org/donate/
Scroll all the way down the page to Other and in the box that says special request type in “Nadworna Jewish Heritage – Tempel. To donate by check mail to the address listed and write in those words.
Click here for the article on jewishnews.com.ua
Click here to see a detailed description (in English) of the synagogue’s architecture and history
2 comments on “Ukraine: Jewish community in Ivano Frankivsk launches fundraising campaign to repair serious water damage in its synagogue”
If you are looking for an easy way to make a tax deductible donation by paypal or check for this worthy cause you can through the Nadworna Shtetl Research group via Gesher Galicia.
Please click the link below and follow the instructions.
https://www.geshergalicia.org/donate/
and scroll all the way down the page to Other and in the box that says special request type in “Nadworna Jewish Heritage – Tempel. To donate by check mail to the address listed and write in those words.
Thank you so much.
Dr. Steven S. Turner
Thanks — will add this to the article