During the walking tour you will get to know the history of the Jewish community in Kyiv. You will learn about famous people and see the most interesting buildings that were built by the Jewish community.
Highlights of this walking route include: the Brodsky Synagogue, the monument to Sholem Aleichem, Golda Meir House, the Bessarabian market, Berner House, Bodrov House.
The emergence of a Jewish community in ancient Kyiv is apparently related to the Khazar Khanate. It is believed that the first Jews migrated to Kyiv from Khazaria, Byzantium and the Muslim East, and they spoke the Old Russian language. In the first half of the 10th century the community already existed, as evidenced by the so-called Kyiv letter containing Jewish community’s appeal to the foreign co-religionists. According to chronicles and annalistic sources, the Jewish quarter ‘Zhydove’ existed in Kopyriv end and gave its name to Jewish Gate in the city of Yaroslav the Wise. The Jewish Gate was located on the territory of modern Lviv Square, while the Jewish quarter was probably right outside the Gate. It appears that this is also the place where a synagogue existed. Indeed, even Theodosius Pechersky came here to conduct religious debates with the Jews. In 1240, the Tatar-Mongol invasion of Rus’ destroyed the first Jewish community and almost the entire population of Kyiv as a whole.
The walking tour is worked out by ‘Interesting Kyev’ company.
GPS: 50.438367, 30.520382
GPS: 50.438367, 30.520382
This is also the former Jewish community dining-room and a place where the ‘Congress of Jewish soldiers’ was held.
The tenement house of Jewish community was built in 1912 before the revolution. The former tenement is located near the Choral Synagogue. The funds raised through renting of apartments in this building were used for maintenance of the local Jewish hospital. The ground floor of tenement house served as a cheap Jewish community dining-room. On October 10, 1917, the dining-room hosted the congress of Jewish soldiers aimed at uniting all Jewish military organizations on the territory of the former Russian Empire into one confederation. The presidium of the congress included British Army Captain Joseph Trumpeldor.
This is also the former Jewish community dining-room and a place where the ‘Congress of Jewish soldiers’ was held.
The tenement house of Jewish community was built in 1912 before the revolution. The former tenement is located near the Choral Synagogue. The funds raised through renting of apartments in this building were used for maintenance of the local Jewish hospital. The ground floor of tenement house served as a cheap Jewish community dining-room. On October 10, 1917, the dining-room hosted the congress of Jewish soldiers aimed at uniting all Jewish military organizations on the territory of the former Russian Empire into one confederation. The presidium of the congress included British Army Captain Joseph Trumpeldor.
GPS: 50.438814, 30.520261
Members of the multimillionaire Brodsky family, dubbed by Kyivans as the ‘sugar kings’, were actively engaged in charitable activity. In addition to commercial institute, several education establishments, schools, hospitals, and even the most famous Bessarabian indoor market, were also built thanks to their donations. But nowadays, this name is primarily associated with the Brodsky synagogue.
At the end of the 19th century, the Jews were allowed to reside exclusively within the territory of Ploska and Lybidska police stations. In 1895, the Rosenberg synagogue was opened on the territory of Ploska station, despite the obstacles created by local authorities, and by the way, its construction was partially sponsored by Lazar Brodsky’s son-in-law. At the same time, Jewish merchantry led by the most influential member of Brodsky family — Lazar Izrayilyovych — initiated construction of the second house of worship on the territory of Lybidska station. Legend has it that Brodsky allegedly wanted to open a chapel in his house located at the Duma Square (now known as the Independence Square) right opposite to the Nobility Assembly, but surrendered his house to the city authorities in exchange for the right to freely build a synagogue further away from the city center. In fact, he was also faced with the prohibition of building a house of worship similarly to Rosenberg. Except that the «sugar king» solved this problem in a different way. The request for permission to organize a chapel in the private residence, which was addressed to the Petersburg authorities, also contained a side facade drawing that looked like a facade of an ordinary residential building and in no way revealed its religious purpose. Permission was granted and a magnificent synagogue was built on private land property of Lazar Brodsky at the corner of Rohnedynska and Malo-Vasylkivska street (now known as Shota Rustaveli street). The synagogue was designed by Georgiy Shleifer in the form of medieval Moorish-style basilica which was typical for such type of building at that time. On August 24, 1898, the synagogue was consecrated and ceremonially opened with a golden key by Governor Fedir Trepov, while a gramophone recording of a speech made by Sholem Aleichem on the same day survived until now.
GPS: 50.438814, 30.520261
Members of the multimillionaire Brodsky family, dubbed by Kyivans as the ‘sugar kings’, were actively engaged in charitable activity. In addition to commercial institute, several education establishments, schools, hospitals, and even the most famous Bessarabian indoor market, were also built thanks to their donations. But nowadays, this name is primarily associated with the Brodsky synagogue.
At the end of the 19th century, the Jews were allowed to reside exclusively within the territory of Ploska and Lybidska police stations. In 1895, the Rosenberg synagogue was opened on the territory of Ploska station, despite the obstacles created by local authorities, and by the way, its construction was partially sponsored by Lazar Brodsky’s son-in-law. At the same time, Jewish merchantry led by the most influential member of Brodsky family — Lazar Izrayilyovych — initiated construction of the second house of worship on the territory of Lybidska station. Legend has it that Brodsky allegedly wanted to open a chapel in his house located at the Duma Square (now known as the Independence Square) right opposite to the Nobility Assembly, but surrendered his house to the city authorities in exchange for the right to freely build a synagogue further away from the city center. In fact, he was also faced with the prohibition of building a house of worship similarly to Rosenberg. Except that the «sugar king» solved this problem in a different way. The request for permission to organize a chapel in the private residence, which was addressed to the Petersburg authorities, also contained a side facade drawing that looked like a facade of an ordinary residential building and in no way revealed its religious purpose. Permission was granted and a magnificent synagogue was built on private land property of Lazar Brodsky at the corner of Rohnedynska and Malo-Vasylkivska street (now known as Shota Rustaveli street). The synagogue was designed by Georgiy Shleifer in the form of medieval Moorish-style basilica which was typical for such type of building at that time. On August 24, 1898, the synagogue was consecrated and ceremonially opened with a golden key by Governor Fedir Trepov, while a gramophone recording of a speech made by Sholem Aleichem on the same day survived until now.
GPS: 50.438725, 30.519908
GPS: 50.438725, 30.519908
A few years later Lazar Brodsky’s brother Lev made a ‘counter-move’. A sybarite and Epicurean, the owner of Solovtsov theater (now known as the National Academic Drama Theater n.a. Ivan Franko) and ‘Concordia’ club, a place where the richest Jewish merchants gathered around the card table, built a synagogue of his own. The new synagogue with a featureless façade that is indistinguishable from ordinary housing estate was erected in the proximity of older brother’s synagogue. It was designed by academician of architecture V.Nikolayev. However, in terms of interior design it was a well-equipped synagogue and a place of assembly for the ‘cream’ of Jewish community in Kyiv, which is why it was dubbed as the Merchant synagogue.
The two buildings that stand between the synagogues of Brodsky brothers were also built by them and served as tenement houses. The revenue from these tenements was used for maintenance of synagogues.
In 1926, the premises of Brodsky synagogue were confiscated and handed over to a handicraft club, and later on — to a puppet theater. From 1992 until 1997, its premises were used to perform acts of worship and to stage puppet shows. In 2000, the renovated Central Kyiv synagogue n.a. Brodsky opened its doors to parishioners. The building also accommodates the Jewish community of Kyiv, Lubavitch Hasidic community ‘Chabad’, the only kosher restaurant in Kyiv, kosher food shop, mikvah (a pool for ritual washing) and other Jewish institutions.
Since 1958, the premises of former merchant synagogue have been in the possession of ‘Kinopanorama’ cinema.
A few years later Lazar Brodsky’s brother Lev made a ‘counter-move’. A sybarite and Epicurean, the owner of Solovtsov theater (now known as the National Academic Drama Theater n.a. Ivan Franko) and ‘Concordia’ club, a place where the richest Jewish merchants gathered around the card table, built a synagogue of his own. The new synagogue with a featureless façade that is indistinguishable from ordinary housing estate was erected in the proximity of older brother’s synagogue. It was designed by academician of architecture V.Nikolayev. However, in terms of interior design it was a well-equipped synagogue and a place of assembly for the ‘cream’ of Jewish community in Kyiv, which is why it was dubbed as the Merchant synagogue.
The two buildings that stand between the synagogues of Brodsky brothers were also built by them and served as tenement houses. The revenue from these tenements was used for maintenance of synagogues.
In 1926, the premises of Brodsky synagogue were confiscated and handed over to a handicraft club, and later on — to a puppet theater. From 1992 until 1997, its premises were used to perform acts of worship and to stage puppet shows. In 2000, the renovated Central Kyiv synagogue n.a. Brodsky opened its doors to parishioners. The building also accommodates the Jewish community of Kyiv, Lubavitch Hasidic community ‘Chabad’, the only kosher restaurant in Kyiv, kosher food shop, mikvah (a pool for ritual washing) and other Jewish institutions.
Since 1958, the premises of former merchant synagogue have been in the possession of ‘Kinopanorama’ cinema.
GPS: 50.439699, 30.520011
A bronze sculpture of probably the most famous Jewish writer Sholem Aleichem stands almost opposite to Brodsky Synagogue in the park laid out on Rohnedynska street and greets every passer-by with his hat raised high in the air.
A prominent writer Solomon Rabinovich better known under his Yiddish pen name ‘Sholem-Aleichem’ lived in Kyiv for many years. It was here that he wrote his novel ‘Menachem-Mendl’, some chapters of ‘Tevye the Dairyman’, and a series of stories. The most significant period of his life in Kyiv is associated with a building that stands on what is now known as Chervonoarmiyska str. 5, but unfortunately this building is under long-lasting repair. In the 1903-1905 timeframe the writer lived on the third floor of a building located at Saksaganskogo str. 27. In 1988, a memorial plaque with a bronze portrait of Sholem-Aleichem (architect A.Miletskiy, sculptor V. Medvedyev) was placed on the façade of this building.
The creative concept of the monument is an interesting one: on the one hand, the monument blends in perfectly with decorative ornaments on the old building, on the other hand – it evokes associations with severe oppression that was faced by Jews in Kyiv. It’s not for nothing that Sholem Aleichem gave this city the nickname ‘Ehupets’ (Egypt) in his literary works. The other Kyiv residences of the great writer haven’t survived to the modern day. In 1905, the writer witnessed the anti-Jewish riot in Kyiv. He found shelter from attackers in the “Imperial” hotel (currently located at Chervonoarmiyska str. 11). Soon after, Sholem-Aleichem left Kyiv forever. However, in December 1997 he came back to us in the form of a bronze monument which was erected at the beginning of the boulevard on Baseina street (sculptor V. Medvedyev).
In 2009, Sholem-Aleichem museum opened its doors at Velyka Vasylkivska str. 5-A on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the writer. Until recently, on this spot stood a house where the writer lived from 1887 until 1903.
GPS: 50.439699, 30.520011
A bronze sculpture of probably the most famous Jewish writer Sholem Aleichem stands almost opposite to Brodsky Synagogue in the park laid out on Rohnedynska street and greets every passer-by with his hat raised high in the air.
A prominent writer Solomon Rabinovich better known under his Yiddish pen name ‘Sholem-Aleichem’ lived in Kyiv for many years. It was here that he wrote his novel ‘Menachem-Mendl’, some chapters of ‘Tevye the Dairyman’, and a series of stories. The most significant period of his life in Kyiv is associated with a building that stands on what is now known as Chervonoarmiyska str. 5, but unfortunately this building is under long-lasting repair. In the 1903-1905 timeframe the writer lived on the third floor of a building located at Saksaganskogo str. 27. In 1988, a memorial plaque with a bronze portrait of Sholem-Aleichem (architect A.Miletskiy, sculptor V. Medvedyev) was placed on the façade of this building.
The creative concept of the monument is an interesting one: on the one hand, the monument blends in perfectly with decorative ornaments on the old building, on the other hand – it evokes associations with severe oppression that was faced by Jews in Kyiv. It’s not for nothing that Sholem Aleichem gave this city the nickname ‘Ehupets’ (Egypt) in his literary works. The other Kyiv residences of the great writer haven’t survived to the modern day. In 1905, the writer witnessed the anti-Jewish riot in Kyiv. He found shelter from attackers in the “Imperial” hotel (currently located at Chervonoarmiyska str. 11). Soon after, Sholem-Aleichem left Kyiv forever. However, in December 1997 he came back to us in the form of a bronze monument which was erected at the beginning of the boulevard on Baseina street (sculptor V. Medvedyev).
In 2009, Sholem-Aleichem museum opened its doors at Velyka Vasylkivska str. 5-A on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the writer. Until recently, on this spot stood a house where the writer lived from 1887 until 1903.
GPS: 50.441409, 30.522784
GPS: 50.441409, 30.522784
This is the place where Golda Meir (Mabovich), one of the founders of the State of Israel, spent the first years of her life.
In her childhood the future Prime Minister of Israel lived in extreme poverty.
While still in school and later on in college, Golda took interest in ideas of Zionism and got involved in public activities aimed at helping the Jews to resettle in Palestine. She also joined the ‘Poale Zion’ party. In 1921, Golda and her husband Morris Meyerson moved to the land of Israel shortly after getting married. During the 27-year period between her resettlement in Palestine and the creation of Israel, Golda Meyerson worked in a kibbutz, trade unions, and held various posts in the government and political party.
Declaration of Israel’s independence marked the beginning of the most difficult and dramatic period of Golda Meir’s career during which her political talent and volitional powers were on full display. She was one of 37 signatories of the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel.
Before the official establishment of Israel, Golda Meir traveled to Jordan disguised as an Arab woman to conduct negotiations with King Abdullah during which, after failing to reach agreement, she told the King straight to his face that he will lose this war. The first Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion described her as ‘the only man in his cabinet’. She was adored by her fellow citizens and feared by her enemies.
This is the place where Golda Meir (Mabovich), one of the founders of the State of Israel, spent the first years of her life.
In her childhood the future Prime Minister of Israel lived in extreme poverty.
While still in school and later on in college, Golda took interest in ideas of Zionism and got involved in public activities aimed at helping the Jews to resettle in Palestine. She also joined the ‘Poale Zion’ party. In 1921, Golda and her husband Morris Meyerson moved to the land of Israel shortly after getting married. During the 27-year period between her resettlement in Palestine and the creation of Israel, Golda Meyerson worked in a kibbutz, trade unions, and held various posts in the government and political party.
Declaration of Israel’s independence marked the beginning of the most difficult and dramatic period of Golda Meir’s career during which her political talent and volitional powers were on full display. She was one of 37 signatories of the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel.
Before the official establishment of Israel, Golda Meir traveled to Jordan disguised as an Arab woman to conduct negotiations with King Abdullah during which, after failing to reach agreement, she told the King straight to his face that he will lose this war. The first Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion described her as ‘the only man in his cabinet’. She was adored by her fellow citizens and feared by her enemies.
GPS: 50.442438, 30.521064
The modern name ‘Bessarabian Square’ most likely derives from the market place that was formed here in the second half of the 19th century. It was a convenient location for delivery of goods via Vasylkivska road from the southern governorates, in particular from Bessarabia. However, a priest-historian of the 19thcentury Petro Lebedynskiy holds that ‘Bessarab’ is what Kyivans used to call vagabonds who were hiding out in the south-western outskirts of the city in those times.
The market place at the square was to a certain extent a pop-up market, and the deputies of Kyiv Duma reported that it was maintained in unsanitary conditions. The idea of constructing a permanent roofed-market building remained unfulfilled for many years due to lack of state funding up until the day on which the last will and testament of Lazar Brodsky was made public after his death in 1904. He willed 500 thousand rubles (an unprecedented amount of money for a single donation) to the municipal treasury for the construction of indoor market on condition that the city authorities annually spend 4.5% of willed funds on maintenance of hospitals and charitable institutions established by Brodsky. City officials initially turned down the offer due to fear of entering into such an undertaking, but eventually they reached a compromise agreement with Brodsky’s will executors thanks to financial subterfuge.
The competition for the right to build a covered market was won by a Polish architect Henrikh Guy, who already had the experience of constructing a similar market in Warsaw. Apart from marketplaces for selling meat (88 places), vegetables (88), milk and fish (27), the project also provided for the construction of 31 outer shops, a restaurant, and (attention!) a library! Eventually, the idea of creating a library was abandoned in order to reduce project costs. The first ever refrigeration system to be installed in Kyiv was a source of special pride for the employees of the new market.
A brick building with a glass roof that rests on the openwork steel structure was completed and consecrated in June 1912. Since then, Bessarabian market was and, of course, remains #1 market in Kyiv. Even during the lean years of Soviet era the market always sold high-quality products, although fewer than all Kyivans could afford them.
The exterior ornamentation of Bessarabian market is not very rich, although its bas-reliefs ‘Farmer with a team of oxen’ and ‘Girl with jugs’, created by students of Kyiv art school T. Rudenko and O. Teremets, are certainly worth noting. The market was built in what is called rational modernist style.
GPS: 50.442438, 30.521064
The modern name ‘Bessarabian Square’ most likely derives from the market place that was formed here in the second half of the 19th century. It was a convenient location for delivery of goods via Vasylkivska road from the southern governorates, in particular from Bessarabia. However, a priest-historian of the 19thcentury Petro Lebedynskiy holds that ‘Bessarab’ is what Kyivans used to call vagabonds who were hiding out in the south-western outskirts of the city in those times.
The market place at the square was to a certain extent a pop-up market, and the deputies of Kyiv Duma reported that it was maintained in unsanitary conditions. The idea of constructing a permanent roofed-market building remained unfulfilled for many years due to lack of state funding up until the day on which the last will and testament of Lazar Brodsky was made public after his death in 1904. He willed 500 thousand rubles (an unprecedented amount of money for a single donation) to the municipal treasury for the construction of indoor market on condition that the city authorities annually spend 4.5% of willed funds on maintenance of hospitals and charitable institutions established by Brodsky. City officials initially turned down the offer due to fear of entering into such an undertaking, but eventually they reached a compromise agreement with Brodsky’s will executors thanks to financial subterfuge.
The competition for the right to build a covered market was won by a Polish architect Henrikh Guy, who already had the experience of constructing a similar market in Warsaw. Apart from marketplaces for selling meat (88 places), vegetables (88), milk and fish (27), the project also provided for the construction of 31 outer shops, a restaurant, and (attention!) a library! Eventually, the idea of creating a library was abandoned in order to reduce project costs. The first ever refrigeration system to be installed in Kyiv was a source of special pride for the employees of the new market.
A brick building with a glass roof that rests on the openwork steel structure was completed and consecrated in June 1912. Since then, Bessarabian market was and, of course, remains #1 market in Kyiv. Even during the lean years of Soviet era the market always sold high-quality products, although fewer than all Kyivans could afford them.
The exterior ornamentation of Bessarabian market is not very rich, although its bas-reliefs ‘Farmer with a team of oxen’ and ‘Girl with jugs’, created by students of Kyiv art school T. Rudenko and O. Teremets, are certainly worth noting. The market was built in what is called rational modernist style.
GPS: 50.442309, 30.518889
GPS: 50.442309, 30.518889
Yakiv Berner, who comes from a family of baptized Jews (or ‘vykhresty’, as they were contemptuously called by their former co-religionists), owned a brick factory in Demiyivka, Kurenivka and other suburbs of Kyiv. Berner’s brick was well known for its quality, and almost every 2nd (or every 3rd?) century-old building that exists in Kyiv of today was constructed using his bricks. Berner was a member (deputy) of Kyiv Duma and donated… a huge amount of bricks for the construction of various charitable institutions and churches.
Yakiv Berner, who comes from a family of baptized Jews (or ‘vykhresty’, as they were contemptuously called by their former co-religionists), owned a brick factory in Demiyivka, Kurenivka and other suburbs of Kyiv. Berner’s brick was well known for its quality, and almost every 2nd (or every 3rd?) century-old building that exists in Kyiv of today was constructed using his bricks. Berner was a member (deputy) of Kyiv Duma and donated… a huge amount of bricks for the construction of various charitable institutions and churches.
GPS: 50.443027, 30.517990
Hryhoriy Bogrov, the owner of the house opposite, was a well known lawyer in Kyiv and the father of notorious anarchist Dmytro Bogrov.
Dmytro got high grades in the First Imperial Alexander Gymnasium and did well in studies later on — at Saint Vladimir University. Not many Jews succeeded in entering these education institutions and by no means all students achieved such notable success in studies. However, Dmytro was seeking other ways of self-actualization and showed enthusiasm for anarchist ideas, which is why he wandered from the path of peaceful life and a successful career. On September 1, 1911, he shot and killed the prime minister of the Russian Empire Petro Stolypin in the city theater (now known as National Opera of Ukraine). Two weeks later, he was sentenced to death and executed on the territory of Lysa Hora fortress located in the suburbs of Kyiv.
GPS: 50.443027, 30.517990
Hryhoriy Bogrov, the owner of the house opposite, was a well known lawyer in Kyiv and the father of notorious anarchist Dmytro Bogrov.
Dmytro got high grades in the First Imperial Alexander Gymnasium and did well in studies later on — at Saint Vladimir University. Not many Jews succeeded in entering these education institutions and by no means all students achieved such notable success in studies. However, Dmytro was seeking other ways of self-actualization and showed enthusiasm for anarchist ideas, which is why he wandered from the path of peaceful life and a successful career. On September 1, 1911, he shot and killed the prime minister of the Russian Empire Petro Stolypin in the city theater (now known as National Opera of Ukraine). Two weeks later, he was sentenced to death and executed on the territory of Lysa Hora fortress located in the suburbs of Kyiv.
