It’s the fourth attempt to auction the building since June and the lack of bidders dropped the starting price to €9,000
(JHE) — The historic synagogue in Slonim, Belarus is going up for auction — again — on December 29.
It will be the fourth attempt to sell the long-derelict building at auction since June, and the starting price has dropped from 137,000 rubles (around €45,000) to 27,400 rubles (€9,000).
Built in 1642 in the Baroque style, the synagogue, owned by the municipality, is the best preserved synagogue in Belarus, despite its precarious condition. Its interior preserves frescoes, a decorated Ark, and a four-pillar bimah, as well as other features.
Onerous conditions attached to the sale — including a strict time frame — have stymied potential buyers, including the Foundation for Jewish Heritage, which has been lobbying for the restoration of the building and working on plans for a restoration project.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the unsettled political situation in Belarus are also considerations.
Under the terms of the auction, reiterated the news site Reform.by
the buyer must sign a protection obligation for the historical and cultural value, develop a reconstruction project within two years and then within five years carry out the reconstruction of the building itself for a religious, cultural, educational or performance purpose.
The Foundation for Jewish Heritage explained why it did not take place in the third auction, held in October, in a statement on the web site of the Slonim Great Synagogue restoration campaign:
Our reason primarily concerns a condition attached to the sale requiring completion of the project within five years. Following expert advice, and with the added uncertainties of Covid-19, we do not believe it is possible to undertake restoration to a standard befitting the building within that very limited timeframe.
The Synagogue is one of the more important historic buildings in Belarus, and certainly one of the most important reminders of Jewish life in the country. We have shown our commitment to its preservation through undertaking a structural survey, roof repair, and the fitting of wall monitoring equipment. We have commissioned a study from the Belarusian Voluntary Society for the Protection of Historic and Cultural Monuments as the foundation of a viable plan for the building’s future, and one that will contribute to Slonim’s economy.
The Synagogue is the heritage of the Belarusian people, its once vibrant Jewish communities, and those of Slonim in particular. Dialogue with the Slonim community and the City Council will be important to delivering a successful project sensitive to this history. But investigating, developing and implementing a sustainable vision for the Synagogue will take longer than five years and the Foundation needs to be assured of the feasibility of the undertaking, as well as a longer timescale, before acting on our wish to purchase.
Access the web site of the Slonim Great Synagogue restoration campaign
See announcement of the auction on the Grodno Region Executive Committee web site
1 comment on “Belarus Update: Historic synagogue in Slonim goes up for auction December 29 — for the 4th time since June”
I am thinking it might be a good idea. How much in dollars is 27,000 rubles, but I wonder what property taxes would be. It would take such a great deal of work, but is it worth it. There must be input from all types of architectural experts and than once restored. How many actual visitors would go there. There are probably very few Jews in Slonim. Maybe transfer the facade brick by brick and reconstruct it in Israel.