July 26, 2012

(JTA) – The Great Synagogue in Radauti, Romania, was rededicated after a full restoration.

Dignitaries including rabbis, the president of the Federation of Romanian Jewish Communities and the mayor of Radauti took part in a rededication ceremony Wednesday. During the ceremony, a mezuzah was nailed to the doorpost of the ornate building and commemorative plaques were unveiled. The ceremony was followed by a day-long symposium on the Jewish history of Radauti.

Built in 1879, the twin-towered synagogue is one of the most imposing buildings in the small market town, located in the far north of the country near the border with Ukraine. It will now be used for cultural as well as religious purposes and includes an exhibit on Jewish life and history in the town.

Before the Holocaust, more than 5,000 Jews lived in Radauti. Most survived the war and emigrated to Israel. A few dozen Jews live in Radauti today. 

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