One of Russia’s seven provincial centers, Rostov serves as the urban center for the entire southern region. Once home to a bustling Jewish community with 14 splendid synagogues and many communal institutions, Rostov now has one synagogue around which Jewish communal activities are centered.

The synagogue was used even during the years of the Soviet regime by older Jews who were devoted to Judaism and were not deterred from holding Friday night prayer services and observing the Jewish holidays.

During the second World War, the Nazis massacred approximately 27,000 Jews in Rostov. A memorial site has been established and an annual memorial is held for the victims.

Jewish communal activity was renewed in 1988 by several local people who had studied Hebrew and Jewish tradition on their own and set out to convey their new knowledge to other Jews.

Rostov is also noted for the resting place of the Tzadik Rabbi Sholom Ber Schneerson the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe. read more