elisavetgrad jews museum

The Jewish History Museum is located in the city centre, in the former Great Choral Synagogue of Elisavetgrad, closed by the Soviets in 1957. Its massive building of impressive architectural beauty (eclectics with a touch of Mauritanian style) was returned to the Jewish community in 1991. The Museum, on display on the upper floor of the synagogue, was open by initiative of the Jewish community. I was told that back then it was the first Jewish community museum in Ukraine. From what I’ve read before coming, it’s exposition was rather representative.Unfortunately, when I visited this summer, the synagogue was under major renovation. But a very friendly guard let me inside, including to the upper floor. I was able to wander around and take photos freely. Sadly, due to the renovation, the museum exhibition is not currently on display. Some of its windows were merely moved to the walls and covered with old newspapers. Some items piled on the tables. It was the photo-gallery along the stairs depicting the most notable Jewish sites in the city that drew my particular attention. The guard has enthusiastically helped me identifying those places I couldn’t recognise and gave tips on how to find them. Since I wasn’t able to see much of the museum, my ranking is rather of the overall visiting experience, which I enjoyed despite the repair works in the synagogue.