ODESSA REGIONAL JEWISH
COMMUNITY CENTER “MIGDAL”

 

 

 

Head of Museum program – Anna Misyuk
Program’s DOB – 2000
Exposition space – about 120 sq. m.
Number of units – about 3500

 

 

 

 

The image of Odessa is unique.

Its views, extraordinary language of the citizens –
the very people having their unique humor and own mentality –
is the result of influence and mixture of different cultures, traditions, ways of life.

And in this forming “Odessa ethnos” various kaleidoscope,
the Jewish people are playing a remarkable part.

I.Kotlyar “Sketches on the history of Jews in Odessa”

 

1. From the History of Odessa Community

 

This section contains copied archive material on community foundation, history of Welfare centers, Jewish hospital, synagogues, system of Jewish education, libraries. Museum has amassed and presents the collection of biographic material and publications about the leadership of Odessa Community: Rabbis, well known philanthropists, organizers of community life.

 

2. From the Pages of Odessa Jewish Literature

This part is presenting Jewish writers, historians, publicists, famous teachers. They were born in Odessa, lived here, created, described the image of our city and Jews of Odessa in their works.

The exhibited materials include books, newspaper, magazines, copies of manuscripts, portraits, illustrations.

 

At the turn of the century the classics of Yiddish literature lived and created their works in Odessa; among them were Mendele Moiher Sforim, Sholom Aleichem, the classics of Hebrew poetry H.N. Byalik and S. Chernikhovskiy.

 

The tradition of Russian speaking and Jewish literature was founded in Odessa by O.Rabinovich and such famous writers as S.Yushkevich, S. Frug, Ben-Ami, D.Aizman. The creative impulse of I.Babel, a writer famous all over the world, is closely connected with Jewish Odessa too.

3. Zionist movement

This part combines the features of the two first ones. It proves that Odessa Zionist organizations have their roots in the history of the Jewish community development. Writers and publicists represent the core of the movement. Its most active members were L. Pinsker, V. Zhabotinsky, H. Byalik, I. Clausner.

 

4. Holocaust

A special exposition reveals the history of Holocaust, tragedy of extermination of 1.5 thousand Jewish lives. It contains historic information, documents of occupation times, family relics saved by people.

 

 

5. Jewish Applied Art

Within the framework of this exposition the works of the past years as well as the works created by modern authors may be applied.

 

 

6. Judaic Department

This section must include attributes of every day Jewish life and holidays celebrations.

7. Odessa Jewish Community Life

Creation of picturesque scenes of Odessa Jewish life is considered as an essential part of the museum: views of a small Jewish court-yard, veranda, communal apartment – all that helps a visitor to feel the atmosphere of “old Odessa”.