Former synagogue in Vladivostok returned to Jewish community

Russia's chief rabbi Berl Lazar has visited the far eastern city of Vladivostok to receive a symbolic key for a synagogue, which will soon be handed over to the Jewish community. The building, built 100 years ago, still houses a confectionery but will be transformed back to its original purpose during the course of the next two years. When the temple was constructed, Jews was not officially allowed to open a temple, and an individual, whose name has remained unknown by history, constructed this building on his own behalf in strict compliance with Jewish religious requirements, after which it was used by the Jewish community as a temple. Later, when the Bolsheviks came to power, they converted the building into a club which was operated by the local confectionery. Recently the local Governor decided to hand over the building to the Jewish community for unlimited use at no cost. Berl Lazar said at a press conference that transfer of historically valuable buildings to representatives of Jewish religion has become a trend in Russia and signals improvement of inter-ethnical relationships.