Thanks to the efforts of Gregory Arshinov, restoration of Ostroh synagogue has been underway for quite some time now. By the end of 2017, the roof of the building was restored. Now restoration work inside the synagogue is underway.
Thanks to the efforts of Gregory Arshinov, restoration of Ostroh synagogue has been underway for quite some time now. By the end of 2017, the roof of the building was restored. Now restoration work inside the synagogue is underway.
In general, 2/3 of the ceiling and 2/3 of the walls are plastered now. Gregory Arshinov notes that part of the ceiling will remain closer to the entrance of the synagogue and will remain without plaster, so that those who wish could see the original vault, Ostrog website reports.
Also, the restorer pays a lot of attention to the revival of decorative elements – seven of the eight Corinthian capitals restored. For the capitals, a rich baroque pattern is characteristic, so Gregory Arshinov plans to leave fragments of the original masonry elsewhere. He says there is no need to create plastic foam props.
“I had two dreams. The first one is a roof. This dream was realized last year, and now there is no risk for the synagogue for the next fifty years. Another wish is to provide an accomplished appearance to the synagogue, to install windows and doors. It turned out that this dream is very expensive, but now it remains to insert only one window,” Gregory Arshinov shares his plans.
He also adds that after these works he dreams of placing a mezuzah in the synagogue -- a special protective amulet, which was placed to the right of the doors on the shacks in all Jewish buildings.
“This must be done by someone from among the serious rabbis. We will call the main rabbi of Ukraine, the city authorities, so that this is a real event,” says Gregory Arshinov.
The year 2019 will mark 80 years since the synagogue ceased to function as a religious building, after its closure by the Soviet authorities along with 17 other synagogues in the city.
Gregory Arshinov dreams next year to bring the Torah to the synagogue.
And now the restoration work is underway.