Choral Synagogue Vilnius

The Vilnius Choir Synagogue, built in 1903 by architect Dovydas Rosenhauzas, was opened during the Jewish New Year of 1903.
This synagogue is the only one left in Vilnius out of 105. The others were partly destroyed during the Second World War, when Lithuania was occupied by Nazi Germany, and partly by the Soviet authorities after the war.

During World War II, the synagogue was looted but survived because Nazi Germany's soldiers established a pharmacy and medicine warehouse in the synagogue.
Before World War II, Lithuania's sixty-thousand-strong Jewish community accounted for about a third of Vilnius' residents.
During the occupation by Nazi Germany (1941-1944), almost the entire community was murdered. Some of them: the architect of the synagogue David Rosenhaus, murdered by the Nazis in 1941 in Poneriai, Saul Trotsky, one of the leaders of the community and the president of the first Judenrat of the Vilnius Ghetto, killed in 1941 in Poneriai during the liquidation of the first Judenrat, the Bunimovich brothers, bankers and prospective members of the community, Ephraim Pruzhan, another leader of the Jewish community, executed in 1941 in Poneriai, and many other leaders and intellectuals of the Jewish community.

During the occupation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union, the synagogue was nationalized and converted into a metal factory.
Over time, mainly the east and west walls, as well as the roof, were significantly affected. Due to water leaks, the furniture and some painted decorations were damaged.
In 1990, Lithuania regained its independence and the synagogue was returned to the small Jewish community. Between 1994 and 2010 she was extensively renovated and then returned to service. Services are currently held every day.

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