New synagogue (Tallinna sunagoog) description and photos - Estonia: Tallinn (Topic)

New synagogue (Tallinna sunagoog) description and photos - Estonia: Tallinn. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Tallinna sunagoog.

Photo and description

By the end of the 1990s, the need arose to build a new synagogue building. It was planned to build a whole center for the provision of services to the Jewish population - not only a place for prayer, but also a mikvah, a kosher restaurant, a cultural center and a museum. The first real step towards the implementation of the plan for the construction of the synagogue was a meeting held in the office of V. Liebman on July 2, 2004. At this meeting, it was stated that the existing synagogue building does not meet the needs, and there is a need for a new building, more functional and larger than the existing one.

Previously it was decided to expand and reconstruct the old building, but this idea had to be abandoned. Allocated and donated funds were decided to invest in the construction of the New Synagogue. In the second half of 2004, a competition was held to select a design company, in which Kyresaar & Kotov (KOKO) won. The architects were faced with a difficult task, it was necessary to create an interesting, remarkable and multifunctional building that would take into account the specifics of Estonian Jewry.

After the approval of the New Synagogue project and the estimated cost, a new competition was held to select a developer. On June 1, 2005, the construction company Kolle was approved by the decision of the Board of the Foundation and the Board of UROE.

The result of all the work was a new synagogue building, one of the most extraordinary sacral buildings in Tallinn. In this building, modern design and traditions of synagogue architecture are intertwined. All the premises of the synagogue are filled with light, thanks to the large glass walls and skylights.

Entering the synagogue, you will find yourself in the foyer, which is also a lecture hall. Part of the stairs leading to the second floor to the main hall is made in the form of benches, which can accommodate up to 70 people. The wall located to the right of the entrance can be transformed into a screen for showing films or what is happening in the hall.

On the second floor, in front of the entrance to the main hall, there are plaques with the names of people who donated for the construction of the New Synagogue. On the opposite side from the entrance there is a glass wall, and in front of it on a pedestal is the most valuable thing in every community - a cabinet where the Torah Scrolls are kept - Aron Kodesh. Nearby is a stone from Jerusalem, brought here by the President of Israel. Prayers sit on benches in the hall, which can accommodate 105 people. The hall has excellent acoustics. Therefore, concerts and performances by artists can also be held here.

Also on the second floor there are office premises, including the offices of the rabbi and the chairman of the community. On the third floor there is a balcony on which women are present during services. It can accommodate 78 people. In addition, on the third floor there is a permanent museum exposition and a place for organizing temporary exhibitions.

On the first floor there is a kiosk selling religious supplies and literature, as well as a kosher restaurant with 100 seats.

The only mikvah in Estonia is located in the New Synagogue in Tallinn. The entrance to it is located at the back of the building. There is a shower, a dressing room, a bath,

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Topic: New synagogue (Tallinna sunagoog) description and photos - Estonia: Tallinn.