S. Petersburg Governor Returns Historic Building to Jewish Community

Federation Jewish Communities ^ | Monday, June 6 2005

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S.PETERSBURG, Russia – Jewish leaders of S. Petersburg held a meeting with the region's Governor Valentina Matviyenko. The city's Chief Rabbi, Menachem Mendel Pewzner, and community Chairman Mark Grubarg successfully represented the community's agenda, with the meeting ending in the decision to return a historical building, located at 42 Dekabristov Street, to the Jewish community.

The Governor ordered the return of this building in accordance with the city law on redeeming the property of religious organizations. This building was one of many owned by the Jewish community prior to being confiscated and nationalized by Soviet authorities.

From 1880 until the revolution of 1917, this building hosted the ORT Jewish College, which constituted the first branch of this world-renowned educational network. A link between the Jewish community's past and the future, the Jewish community would like to see this building used to host a Modern Educational Center for Information Technology, as well as a museum exposition "Jews of Russia".

During their discussion with Governor Matviyenko, the Jewish leaders spoke about the recent developments in city's Jewish life, including recent visits the community hosted by delegations from the Joint Distribution Committee and the Jewish Agency. The Governor acknowledged the positive role of Jewish communal activity in assisting the international image of Russia’s Northern capital, which has also helped to attract investment to the city. The Governor was also pleased to learn that the 2007 Conference of Presidents of European Jewish Communities will take place in S. Petersburg.