Synagogue Opens Doors to All Faiths

The St. Petersburg Times

Published: November 14, 2012 (Issue # 1735)

ALEXANDER BELENKY / SPT The Grand Choral Synagogue on Lermontovsky Prospekt will welcome visitors with food tasting and a concert on Sunday.

St. Petersburg’s Grand Choral Synagogue will hold an open doors day on Sunday, Nov. 18 to mark International Tolerance Day.

The event is open to all city residents, regardless of their religion and nationality, and allows members of the public to visit the synagogue and get acquainted with Jewish culture. Visitors will be able to take guided excursions around the site, learning about the synagogue’s architecture, Jewish wedding traditions and other interesting facts about the city’s Jewish community.

The open doors day will also offer visitors the chance to sample Jewish dishes such as matzo and gefilte fish, ask a rabbi any question and watch a concert of Jewish folk music. Entrance to all the events is free of charge.

“We experience great interest from the public in the life of the synagogue and Jewish community,” said Mikhail Grubarg, head of St. Petersburg’s official Jewish community. “But at the same time many people are shy to come over, maybe thinking that the synagogue is closed to them. The open doors day is our answer to all those people who are shy. You’re welcome! We are open for everyone, and not only on Tolerance Day,” he added.

The synagogue will be open to visitors from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday with the program starting every hour. The concert will start at 6 p.m.