The history of the community of conservative Judaism in the city of Chernivtsi dates back to the distant 1990s, when the organization "Midreshet Schechter" came to Chernivtsi with the help of Yosyp Zisels (the main office is based in Jerusalem, Israel), which later initiated the opening of a Jewish school. So, in 1991 On the eve of Rosh HaShanah, a Jewish school was opened, which is still functioning. Gila Katz became the director of Judaica, which for many years did everything possible for the development of the Jewish conservative movement. Every Friday, in the evenings, all students, their parents and teachers gathered for the Shabbat celebration, although at first it happened without prayers, but with observance of other important rituals, such as lighting candles, kiddush (blessing on wine) etc.. This is how the unofficial community of conservative Judaism was born in Chernivtsi.
A year later, after the opening of the school, thanks to Yosyp Pnina, at that time to the director of the organization Midreshet Shekhter, the "Rama" camp was founded in Ukraine, which is still functioning, but with slight changes in the name. Many years ago, children approached Gila Kats and offered to add the word "yahad" to the name (translated from Hebrew "together"). Since then, the "Rama" camp began to be called "Rama-Yahad".
Over time, after visiting one of the school Shabbats in Chernivtsi, Yosyp Pnini said, that the time has come to officially open the community, which was chaired by Sima Shkolnyk, who later became the first and only director of the Sunday school. The community and the Sunday school functioned on the basis of the school for many years
Having passed many tests, in 2012 The community was reopened under the leadership of Igor Bernthal (a graduate of a Jewish school). The community was happy to open its doors at the street address. Bohdan Khmelnytskyi 52. The room was small, but despite this, the community was always comfortable and warm. The population of the community was 15-20 people.
Subsequently, with 2014 Kleiman Lev Aronovych is the director of the community since 2006 and until now. U 2015 In 2008, the community changed its location and moved to a new address – 1-and Sahaidachny Lane, was. 3.
A year later, another floor was built at the new location, which now serves as a synagogue in which there is an aron ha-kodesh with the Torah. Over time, in autumn 2024 the first floor of the building was purchased, which means, that now the whole building belongs to the community.
IN 2021 Rabbi Iryna Hrytsevska became the director of Midreshet Shekhter, which is particularly warm to the conservative communities of Ukraine, which are located in Kyiv, Chernivtsi, Odessa and Kharkiv.
IN 2022 year, when the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, the Aviv community opened its doors to immigrants, who were forced to leave their homes. Families from Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odessa, Zaporozhye, Mykolaiv and other cities found shelter in the community, they were provided housing, food and support. Midreshet Shekhter and Iryna Hrytsevska personally provided great help and support!Someone went further, but most of them remained in Chernivtsi and are now full members of our community.
Currently, the community has more than 200 participants. Interesting circles and classes are held every day in the community, such as Hebrew lessons, history and traditions of the Jewish people, Noam youth club, fine arts, a group of guitar playing and spoken English. Also, Shabbat and all Jewish holidays are celebrated in the community every week.
We invite you to join our community!