Brodsky Synagogue, Reform synagogue in historical center of Odesa, Ukraine
The Brodsky Synagogue is a house of worship combining Gothic Revival and Renaissance Revival design, built in 1868 in Odesa's central district on Zhukovskoho Street. Today the building serves as an active synagogue while also hosting sections dedicated to a Jewish museum and tolerance center.
The structure was built in 1868 as a reform house of worship and was the first synagogue in the Russian Empire to include an organ. Following Soviet control in the 1920s, it was converted into a workers club before eventually returning to religious use.
The synagogue stands as an important Jewish institution in Odesa and continues to serve as a gathering place for the community. Visitors can see how the space is used by people interested in exploring Jewish history and faith practices.
Visitors should know that the building functions as both an active place of worship and a museum, so depending on when you visit you may encounter religious services in progress. It sits in the city center and is easily reached on foot, though entrances and visiting times may vary, so it helps to check ahead.
The building appears in literary works by Isaac Babel and Sholem Aleichem, showing its importance in the Jewish cultural history of the region. This connection to well-known authors makes it a special place for anyone interested in Jewish literature and history.
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