Holy Books Discovered Inside Walls as Kostroma Begins Writing New Torah

Holy books hidden during the Communist era were uncovered during renovations at Kostroma’s Jewish educational center, as the community began writing a new Torah scroll ahead of the centennial of the Rebbe Rayatz’s liberation.

09 Sep 2026, 16:33 by COLlive Editor · COLlive

The stark contrast between the years of Communist persecution and the flourishing Jewish life of today was vividly displayed during renovations at the Jewish educational center in Kostroma, Russia.

While carrying out exterior work on the building, workers made a remarkable discovery: siddurim and other sacred books that had been concealed inside its walls. One volume had even been hidden within the cover of a secular book, a silent testament to the fear of the time and the lengths Jews took to conceal any connection to Judaism.

The book was found open to Pirkei Avos, offering a powerful symbol of the Jewish pride and learning that now fill the building.

The historic structure was built in 1880 and purchased in 1892 for the city’s rabbi at the time, Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Schneiderman. In 1903, the city’s central synagogue was constructed in its courtyard.

In a remarkable connection to the building’s past, Rabbi Schneiderman’s granddaughter, who lives near the mother of Kostroma’s Mara D’asra and Chabad Shliach Rabbi Nissan Rupo, recently symbolically transferred the spiritual rights to the property to the Shluchim, who continue her grandfather’s legacy.

Returning the buildings to the Jewish community required years of perseverance. Twenty-four years ago, in a leap year that began on Shabbos, as the coming year will, Rabbi Rupo arrived in Kostroma and received the synagogue building. The former rabbi’s residence, however, remained under government control.

Following extensive efforts, the property was gradually returned. With the generous assistance of philanthropist David Aminov, it was ultimately granted to the Jewish community free of charge for 40 years.

The building’s interior was previously renovated, and the dedication of its mikvah and kindergarten was attended by Chief Rabbi of Russia Rabbi Berel Lazar.

These developments continued the work of the renowned Chossid Rabbi Michoel Dvorkin OBM, who came to Kostroma, renovated its mikvah and established a cheder for Jewish children. His work helped prepare the city for the arrival of the Frierdiker Rebbe, who was exiled to Kostroma following his miraculous release from imprisonment in Leningrad.

Now, as exterior renovations are underway to preserve the building’s deteriorating walls, another historic circle is being completed.

On Erev Shabbos Parshas Nitzavim-Vayeilech, when the Torah reading includes the words “And Moshe wrote this Torah,” a ceremony marking the beginning of a new Sefer Torah was held near the holy Ohel.

The writing was initiated by Rabbi Lazar and attended by guests of the Torah and Education Fund of Russia who had traveled to Kostroma for the annual “Shabbos Selichos with the Rebbe” journey.

The new Sefer Torah is scheduled to be completed and welcomed on the Festival of Liberation, Yud-Beis–Yud-Gimmel Tammuz 5787, marking 100 years since the Frierdiker Rebbe was informed of his release.

The Torah was donated by Netanel Berkowitz, president of the community’s supporters committee, in loving memory of his mother, Margarita bas Yisrael OBM.

The project’s supporters are connected to the city through remarkable instances of Divine Providence. One donor is the son of a Jew who was circumcised by the Chassidic shochet Reb Yerachmiel Kugel, in whose home the Frierdiker Rebbe stayed. Another supporter, a bank manager and Kohen who offered assistance after seeing a photograph of Birchas Kohanim, was introduced to the community through a professional connection with Berkowitz.

With the opening of the Sunday school’s new academic year under the dedicated leadership of Shlucha Mrs. Rupo, Kostroma’s Jewish community continues to move forward with growing momentum.

Soon restored to its full exterior beauty, the historic building will house the new Sefer Torah and resound with the voices of Jewish children learning Torah, serving as a powerful testament to the enduring strength and continued revival of Jewish life in Kostroma.

Holy Books Discovered Inside Walls as Kostroma Begins Writing New Torah

Holy books hidden during the Communist era were uncovered during renovations at Kostroma’s Jewish educational center, as the community began writing a new Torah scroll ahead of the centennial of the Rebbe Rayatz’s liberation.

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