The Jewish Community in Bobruisk: History of the Synagogues
The Jewish community began to form in Bobruisk as early as the first half of the 16th century. By the end of the 19th century, over 20,000 Jews lived in the city, making up a significant portion of the population. Therefore, it is not surprising that the list of synagogues in Bobruisk included dozens of buildings. According to some reports, their total number was around 40. While most of these buildings have been lost, some have survived and remain worthy of attention. This article highlights both former and current synagogues in Bobruisk.
Great Synagogue on Socialist Street 36
This building was constructed in the early 20th century and initially served as a yeshiva. However, in 1937, just a few years before the start of World War II, the Jewish High School was closed. An army warehouse was then established within the walls of the synagogue. Afterward, the building remained vacant for some time, and later, a sewing workshop was set up inside.
In the early 21st century, in 2002, the synagogue was returned to the Jewish community of Bobruisk.
Synagogue on Socialist 34
Next to the previous synagogue, there was another one in a neighboring building.
During the Soviet era, this synagogue housed a sports hall. Today, the building is listed as the City House of Culture and Sports, and also hosts an aikido school. However, when passing by, there is not much visible activity, perhaps due to a day off.
Synagogue on Pushkin Street 110
Today, nothing remains to remind us that there was once a synagogue at the building on Pushkin Street. Currently, the Bobruisk Department of the Committee of Forensic Expertise of the Republic of Belarus occupies the premises. The building dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Ruins of the Synagogue on Chongarskaya, 29
For a long time, this site was abandoned. However, in 2019, through the efforts of Rabbi Shaul Hababo of Bobruisk, the ruins were transformed into a small museum and park, offering a glimpse of the city’s Jewish history.
Former Synagogue on Liebknecht, 59
As I approached the building on Liebknecht Street, a slight disappointment awaited. Instead of an old building, I found a typical, featureless structure made of cheap gas-silicate bricks.
A synagogue stood on this site at the beginning of the 20th century. The building changed owners several times, and in 1949, the Soviet authorities took control of it. A two-story structure was built in front of the original synagogue, completely obscuring the historical building. The new structure housed the Zonal State Archive for many years.
Synagogue on Dzerzhinsky Street 50
This synagogue, located almost in the very center of Bobruisk, was built at the end of the 19th century. Like many religious buildings in the Soviet period, it ceased to serve its original purpose.
After its closure, the building housed a prison of the Ministry of State Security. Later, a tourism center was established here, and after reconstruction, it became the youth center “Babrynya.”
Komsomolskaya Street 53
The last of the most notable Bobruisk synagogues was located on Komsomolskaya Street.
Like all the other synagogues on our list, this one was also closed. During the Soviet era, a local House of Culture was established here and functioned for quite some time. In the late 1990s, the building fell into disrepair and remained unused for a long period.
Repairs were eventually started, but as a result, nothing remains of the original architecture and décor. Today, the building that once housed the synagogue on Komsomolskaya Street 53 resembles an inconspicuous warehouse, where doors are sold.
