Russian Drone Strike Damages 19th-Century Synagogue in Odesa
A historic 19th-century synagogue in Odesa was damaged during a Russian drone strike overnight on August 4.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Asman’s post on social media platform X.
The “Nachlas Eliezer” synagogue, located in Odesa’s Peresyp district, was struck during the latest wave of kamikaze drone attacks launched by Russian forces. The building reportedly caught fire, exacerbating its already deteriorated state.
“This sacred building, constructed at the end of the 19th century, served as a place of prayer, hope, and spiritual strength for the Jewish community of Odesa. Today, once again, we have witnessed how war affects not only people but also holy sites and our historical memory,” Rabbi Asman wrote.
The Chief Rabbi of Odesa, Avraham Wolff, confirmed the damage and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to remain. “We are here, and we are staying here; we will continue our work no matter what,” he stated.
The “Nachlas Eliezer” synagogue was originally built in the late 1800s but was closed by Soviet authorities in the 1920s. In 1992, its main prayer hall, once crowned with 25-meter-high ceilings, collapsed. Today, the remaining structure includes parts of a bakery, utility rooms, and remnants of religious artifacts among the ruins.
As The Gaze reported earlier, on July 22, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar arrived in Kyiv for a diplomatic visit, marking the most senior Israeli delegation to Ukraine since February 2023.