How a number of chassidim from Ooman succeeded in saving the famous Ooman synagogue, which dates from the time of Reb Nachman Breslaver, was told by a recent arrival from Ooman. When the chassidim learned of the Jewish Communists’ campaign for the confiscation of synagogues, they transferred the synagogue building to the name of some Ooman chassidim living in Poland, thus obtaining the intervention of the Polish ambassador for the safety of the synagogue.
The Jewish Communists endeavored to obtain the forced sale of the synagogue “for state purposes,” but they were again outwitted by the chassidim, who renovated and redecorated the synagogue, investing considerable sums of money in the enterprise, so that if the Communists wanted to buy the building it wouldn’t be worth while to pay the sum it would be worth.
Despite difficulties, the chassidim of Ooman continue their annual visit to the grave of Reb Nachman, while thousands of others make the pilgrimage from all parts of Russia, many walking when the officials prohibited the use of trains for the pilgrimage.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
