Derbent Synagogue
The Derbent Synagogue, also known as Kele-Numaz was a former Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 94 Tagi-Zade Street, in the city of Derbent in the Republic of Dagestan, in the North Caucasus of Russia.
The only synagogue in Derbent, was destroyed in a terrorist attack on 23 June 2024. In 1997, prior to its destruction, the synagogue was listed on the Russian cultural heritage register as a monument of regional significance.
History
In 19th century Derbent the upper, oldest part of the city, closer to the citadel of Naryn-Kala, was primarily inhabited by Muslims, the central, flat part by Mountain Jews, and the lower part, near the sea by Armenians and Russians.The Kele-Numaz synagogue was opened in 1914 and is under the supervision of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia.
At the beginning of the Soviet era there were 11 synagogues in the city, including the Kele-Numaz.
In February 1904 the Mountain Jewish community petitioned the city authorities to allocate land for the construction of a new synagogue. The petition said that during the time of the Derbent Khanate, the Jews built a synagogue on the 2nd Komendantskaya Street, but the number of congregants had increased beyond the synagogue's capacity.
The city authorities allocated to the Mountain Jewish community for the construction of a prayer house at the corner of Golitsyn Street and Kolodezny Lane.