Ulyanovsk, Russia

The first Jewish inhabitants to settle in the Ulyanovsk region were the Cantonists who came approximately 200 years ago. It was only later, in the 1880s, that the community built a small shul and appointed a Rav. Unfortunately, Jewish life as they knew it ended with the rise of communism some 100 years ago. The local residents held onto whatever they could at first, but their Yiddishkeit waned over time until their children and grandchildren were oblivious of their origin. 

Many Ukrainian Jews fled deeper into Russia during World War II and while the Ulyanovsk population grew, the ignorance continued until Rabbi Marozof’s arrival 15 years ago. Of the 5,000 Jewish inhabitants living in Ulyanovsk today, 70 are now wearing tefillin on a daily basis. 

There are currently five families traveling for mikvah but a significant increase is expected once the community has facilities of their own. Regrettably, the project is now at a standstill since Rabbi Marozof, his wife and six Russian-born children, were expelled by the Russian authorities.