Jewish Community Center and Synagogue, Yekaterinburg

The Jewish Community Center and Synagogue stands on the site of the main synagogue that was destroyed in the 1960s during the Soviet period. Its construction returned Jewish religious life to its original location after several decades of absence. The four-storey building brings many functions together under one roof, combining prayer spaces with classrooms, offices, and community rooms. It also includes two ritual baths (mikvaot), which were not available in the region before and are essential for traditional Jewish religious practice.

The synagogue is the main religious space in the complex. The prayer hall has a traditional layout, with a bimah in the centre and a Torah ark on the eastern wall. The interior is simple and made for regular use, not decoration. Services are held on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Visitors may attend if they behave respectfully and dress appropriately.

Beyond worship, the center plays an active social role. Since 2005, it has hosted an ORT vocational training centre, which today focuses on digital skills for seniors and professional courses for teachers. Medical rooms offer free basic healthcare, and a large kosher kitchen prepares up to 1,000 meals each day for people in need. The center is also involved in public history projects, including digital guides and walking routes that explore Jewish life and heritage in the Urals.