Historical Cache of Holy Books Discovered in Russian Jewish Center Walls
Construction workers in Kostroma, Russia, discovered historical holy books hidden in walls during renovations. The find coincides with restoration efforts of the historic Chabad rabbi's home.
During renovation work at the Jewish educational center in the Russian city of Kostroma, construction workers were surprised to discover a historical cache hidden within the building's walls: holy books and prayer books concealed during the reign of terror of the Communist regime. One of the books was found bound in a disguised cover of a secular Russian book, with its pages open to chapters of Pirkei Avot—a silent testimony to the fear of religious persecutors and the courage of the region's Jews in those days.
The emotional discovery took place in a building erected in 1880 and acquired in 1892 as the home of the city's rabbi at the time, Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Schneiderman, next to whom the central synagogue was later established. The historical full circle gained added significance recently, when Rabbi Schneiderman's granddaughter transferred the historical rights of the building to the Chabad emissary and current rabbi of the city, Rabbi Nissan Rupoch.
From Exile to Redemption
The city of Kostroma holds profound historical importance in Chabad Hasidism: it was the place of exile for the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (the Rayatz), following his famous arrest in Saint Petersburg in 1927. Ahead of his arrival, the Hasid Rabbi Michael Dworkin worked to renovate the mikveh and establish an underground Talmud Torah for the city's children. The buildings were previously confiscated by the authorities, and since Rabbi Rupoch's arrival 24 years ago, a prolonged struggle has been waged to reclaim them.
The efforts bore fruit with the assistance of philanthropist David Aminov, who enabled the return of the rabbi's house to the community for a period of 40 years. After the interior of the building was renovated and a ritual bath and kindergarten were established in the presence of Russia's Chief Rabbi, Berel Lazar, external preservation work on the historical walls has now begun.
Writing a New Torah Scroll
Alongside the discovery of the books, the writing of a new Torah scroll has begun, which will be brought into the building in 2027, exactly one hundred years after the liberation of the Rebbe Rayatz from his exile in the city. The ceremony took place with the participation of Rabbi Lazar and guests of the Torah and Education Foundation of Russia. The Torah scroll was donated by the president of the community supporters committee, Netanel Berkovich, for the elevation of the soul of his mother, Margarita.
The fundraising for the restoration of the building was accompanied by unusual coincidences: among the donors is the son of a Jew who was circumcised in the past by the Hasidic ritual slaughterer Rabbi Yerachmiel Kugel—in whose home the Rebbe stayed during his exile in Kostroma—as well as a local bank manager who retraced his Jewish roots.
"The discovery in the walls is a silent testimony to the courage of the Jews of Kostroma during the darkest of times," noted community members.
Now, alongside the restoration of the walls where the holy books were hidden, the academic year has opened at the Jewish Sunday school, symbolizing the continued revival of the Jewish community in the city.
