Dov Bar's Volchin - The Synagogue

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Dov Bar's Volchin

The Synagogue
Most recently, as we have heard, the former Volchin synagogue is used as a store-house for various materials, junk/scrap.

In 1997, when we, Israeli Volchiners visited, the red-brick synagogue was 200 yrs old. At time it was used as a vocational school --carpentry and locksmithing. The Torah ark contained a lathe. The Mizrach wall area, formerly seating for distinguished Jews of Volchin, contained various tools.

After the Soviets took control of Volchin in late 1939, the synagogue was converted to other use. The holy vessels were removed --we don't know where to-- and the building turned into a Communist Party club [meeting hall].

Before WWII they renovated the synagogue in Volchin. They brought for that purpose, two artists --brothers-- from Janów Podlaski, by the name of Ridelevich. They were from the grandmother's family on my father's side. They did a tremendous job – not only the painting .

Near the synagogue there was [and is, today] water well. The well opening was wide and one could easily fall in. People would draw the water out of it by means of a pail and rope. During World War II, both the synagogue and this well were within the Ghetto.

Was there one or more than one synagogue in Volchin?

Editor's Notes: Polish Provoslavs: As Volchin is less than 10km from the current Polish border, to the west and south, and was well within the territory of inter-war Poland, it is far from surprising to find inhabitants of Polish ethnicity. However, it seems more common to apply this term to native Belarusians, a somewhat distinct racial and religious group, whose tradition is Russian Orthodox.

Page Last Updated: 11-Apr-2012