Consul General Scott Rauland attended the opening ceremony of Yekaterinburg’s new synagogue (Apr 10, 2005)
2005 Press Releases
Consul General Scott Rauland attended the opening ceremony of Yekaterinburg’s new synagogue
April 10, 2005
Consul General Scott Rauland attended the opening ceremony of Yekaterinburgs new synagogue on April 7, 2005. Governor Rossel, Mayor Chernetskiy, Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar and Yekaterinburg Rabbi Ashkenazi also attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.
In his speech Consul Rauland said: “ As a representative of the U.S., a country founded by people seeking freedom of religion, it is especially moving to witness this big step forward today. Twenty years ago the majority of synagogues, mosques and churches in Russia were used as museums, storage facilities and disco clubs.” The Consul General stated, “by guaranteeing freedom of religion we take another step towards the freedom of each person and society in general”
The new synagogue was built in just two years with financial support of local and foreign sponsors, among them American citizens. It replaced an old synagogue, which had been built over 100 years ago and demolished in 1962.