In the historic Jewish quarter of Baku, foundation stone of the new Synagogue for “Mountain Jews” in Azerbaijan was laid. Participating in the ceremony were some 150 members of Jewish communities from across the republic, representatives of major religions, foreign diplomats, scientists and artists of Azerbaijan.
Among the diplomats attending the ceremony were Israeli Ambassador Michael Lavon-Lotem, Russian Ambassador Vladimir Dorokhin, Kazakhstan Ambassador Serik Primbetov, Belarus Ambassador Nikolai Paskevich, and various other diplomats in Azerbaijan.
Semyon Ikhiilov, the chairman of the Jewish community of Mountain Jews in Azerbaijan, gave the opening speech at the ceremony, congratulating all Jews of the republic and all friends on this remarkable event – the beginning of the construction of a new Jewish house of worship.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Bishop of Baku and Caspian diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, Bishop Alexander, highlighted the great work that preceded the start of construction on the synagogue, carried out by the community of Mountain Jews in Azerbaijan and especially its chairman, Semyon Ikhiilov.
In his speech, Israeli Ambassador Michael Lavon-Lotem emphasized the high level of tolerance in Azerbaijan and exceptionally friendly attitude towards Jews in this country. “Only in Azerbaijan within just one month could such a landmark event have occurred in the life of the Jewish community as the opening of the regional Chabad Ohr Avner Educational Complex and the laying of the foundation of a new synagogue,” the diplomat commented.
He also recalled that, on October 4, the above-mentioned opening ceremony for the Chabad Ohr Avner complex was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, FJC President Lev Leviev, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, and Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Amar.
After the official part of the event, the synagogue’s foundation was covered with the first cubic meter of concrete. A commemorative capsule was laid in the foundation. “The capsule contains a parchment with a prayer to the Almighty for this new Jewish house of prayer so that there will always be prayer in our new synagogue,” said Mr. Ikhiilov.
The construction of the synagogue is made possible thanks to financing provided by the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and the actual construction work itself is being carried out by a structural unit under SOCAR.
“We hope that, with G-d's help, the first prayers in the new synagogue will be recited as early as in the lead-up to Rosh Hashanah 5772,” said Mr. Ikhiilov, voicing the hopes of Jews of Azerbaijan.