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Less than a year after a synagogue and Torah scrolls were burned by terrorists in the city of Derbent in Dagestan, Russia, a cornerstone was laid for a new synagogue, which members of the Jewish community say will be one of the most magnificent in the world. The new synagogue will be entirely funded by a local Muslim philanthropist, Suleyman Kerimov.
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Last year's arson attack on a synagogue in Derbent
Kerimov, who maintains a personal relationship with Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, invited him to the cornerstone-laying ceremony. Lazar’s journey began with his arrival at the airport in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, a year and a half after hundreds of Muslim rioters attempted to harm passengers on a flight arriving from Israel.
The airport administration greeted the rabbi with great respect and presented him with a comprehensive overview of the enhanced security measures implemented since the incident, which deeply shocked both Russia and Israel. The perpetrators of the riot were severely punished by the Russian government. At the request of the chief rabbi, who appealed to the president of Russia, a medal of bravery will be awarded to the government official who personally stopped the rioters.
Derbent, though not the capital of Dagestan, boasts a fascinating history spanning thousands of years, making it one of Russia’s most famous cities and a major tourist attraction, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. It is also home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world, currently led by Rabbi Ovadia Isakov. Less than a year ago, the community endured a traumatic event when extremist terrorists who had infiltrated Russia set the synagogue on fire, burning nine Torah scrolls. Thankfully, none of the Jewish community members were harmed.
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The location where the new synagogue will be built is referred to as "The Jerusalem of Derbent." At the ceremony, which featured an enormous stage and was attended by dozens of Muslim clerics, religious leaders from other faiths, government officials and hundreds of participants, Russia’s chief rabbi called for the site to serve as an example of mutual respect, security and peace, founded on a shared belief in one God.
A particularly special moment during the event came when public figures were invited to place letters into an iron capsule that will be opened exactly 100 years from now—a modern version of the traditional foundation scroll often included during cornerstone-laying ceremonies. Lazar’s letter expressed that while many things may change in the next century, the tradition of baking and eating matzah—a practice shared by Jews during this time of year—will remain unchanged, just as it has since the Exodus from Egypt.
The Muslim benefactor funding the synagogue is also the initiator and creator of the largest multimedia fountain in Russia. Following the ceremony, he invited Rabbi Lazar for a special tour of the massive park in the city center, which houses the unique fountain. The fountain spans an area of 4.7 thousand square meters and consists of nine two-tiered basins, capable of releasing 2,214 water jets simultaneously, shooting up to a height of 30 meters. The fountain also features colorful displays depicting the city's rich history.