Historically the most numerous of Baku’s Jewish communities, the Ashkenazis first arrived here at the beginning of the 19th century. In the 20th century they established their own schools, libraries, clubs and cultural centres, as well as magazines and newspapers in Yiddish. Jews of Georgian heritage first migrated to Baku at the turn of the 20th century for economic reasons. They have preserved their Georgian language and cultural traditions alongside their Jewish faith. Located in Baku’s old Jewish district, the impressive building of the Synagogue of Ashkenazi and Georgian Jews was designed by the architect Alexander Garber in the architectural style of Jerusalem. It has been described as one of the largest synagogues in Europe and one of the only synagogues built in the Near East in recent decades. Its opening on 9th March 2003 was an important event for the Ashkenazi and Georgian Jews, whose previous synagogue was located in a poorly equipped single-floor building formerly used as a military warehouse, given to them by the Soviet government after World War II. Considered a symbol of tolerance, representatives of different religious and social groups contributed to the synagogue’s construction and the names of everyone who supported or financed the building are mentioned on a sign on the front facade. They include not only Jewish organisations in different countries, but also the Administration of Caucasian Muslims, the Baku Eparchy and the Orthodox Church in Azerbaijan. As well as hosting religious ceremonies and celebrations, today this synagogue is a centre of Jewish education. Ceremonies are usually held in Russian but there are some also in Hebrew. Tickets to certain ceremonies can be obtained at the synagogue.
