The opening ceremony of the synagogue “Beis Stern Shulman” has become the main event of 5770 in Krivoy Rog.
It started before the building since its big hall couldn’t hold all public, and in spite of the heavy rain many people stood in the street and greeted the guests who came from various communities in Ukraine and abroad. They also could see the ceremony on the huge screen installed outside.
The ribbon at the entrance was cut by Chief Rabbi of Krivoy Rog Lirin Edery and synagogue president Natan Shulman. The chanukat bait ceremony was held by Chief Rabbi of Dnepropetrovsk and the region Shmuel Kaminezki who also attached a mezuzah to the main door and blessed the synagogue and community, those who constructed the shuhl and who will pray there and revive Jewish life in Krivbass.
Daughters of Natan Shulman opened a memorial plaque in the synagogue foyer with all the names of Mr. Shulman’s maternal and paternal ancestors.
Chief Rabbi of the Wailing Wall and Holy Sites Shmuel Rabinovich and the member of the Board of Trustees Gennady Korban attached mezuzas to the entrances into the main prayer hall.
Chief Rabbi of Krivoy Rog gave a speech in which he told the story of his first meeting with Vadim Shulman and the history of the synagogue construction; he also thanked all local Jews, sponsors and everyone who helped during the construction.
Speeches were also given by Chief Rabbi Kaminezki, governor Vilkul, acting mayor Malyarenko, head of NATIV Naomi Ben Ami, president of the Dnepropetrovsk community Bogoliubov, member of Knesset Shamalova-Berkovich, president of Euroasian Jewish congress Alexander Mashkevich and main sponsor Vadim Shulman.
Then chairman of the Krivoy Rog community Vladimir Nemirovsky gave presents to the sponsors and participants of the construction.
The ceremony was accompanied by Jewish music performed by the string quartet of Yury Shilman and Israeli ensemble «Agroyse Metzie». The public also watched two videos about the Krivbass community, and the participants of one of it materialized on stage and sang a greeting to Natan Shulman and his family.
Two new Torah scrolls were given to the synagogue. One of them - a present from Dnepropetrovsk businessmen Viacheslav Kapustin and Viacheslav Rysin, another one - from the President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Alexander Mashkevich. After the traditional akafot the scrolls were placed into the Aron Kodesh.
The ceremony was followed by a big concert, a banquet and numerous wishes of success and prosperity to the great community.
Dnepropetrovsk Jews share the joy and pride of all Krivoy Rog Jews as a beautiful and busy synagogue brings a special blessing to the city and its citizens, helps in reforming and improving the world.