Menorah Center | Dnipro

The Menorah Center in Dnipro, Ukraine, is the largest Jewish cultural and business center in the world. Opened in October 2012, it stands not only as a symbol of Jewish revival in Eastern Europe but also as a powerful monument of memory, resilience, and cultural pride. The center plays a key role in preserving Jewish heritage, promoting education, and serving both local and international communities.

General Overview

Location: 4/26 Sholom Aleichem Street, Dnipro, Ukraine

Area: Over 50,000 square meters

Structure: 7 interconnected towers, forming the shape of a menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum from the Hebrew Bible)

Architect: Alexander Sorin

Developed by: Ukrainian-Israeli philanthropists, including Gennadiy Bogolyubov and Ihor Kolomoisky

Religious Affiliation: Ukrainian Jewish community (Orthodox and culturally diverse)

Symbolism and Architecture

The Menorah Center's seven towers symbolically represent the seven branches of the Jewish menorah, an ancient symbol of light and divine wisdom. The towers vary in height, with the tallest standing at 77 meters. The entire structure is built in a modern, sleek architectural style but rooted in traditional Jewish symbolism, emphasizing both continuity and forward movement.

The façade is clad in Jerusalem stone, reinforcing the connection between Dnipro’s Jewish community and the land of Israel.

Key Facilities and Features

1. Golden Rose Synagogue

A 19th-century synagogue that was restored and integrated into the Menorah complex.

It serves as the spiritual center of the Jewish community in Dnipro.

Active in hosting religious services, holidays, weddings, and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.

2. Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”

The largest Jewish museum in Ukraine and one of the largest in Europe.

Covers 3,000 square meters of exhibition space.

Features include:

The history of Jewish life in Ukraine before, during, and after the Holocaust.

Thematic exhibitions on Jewish culture, education, pogroms, and resistance.

Multimedia installations, holograms, and interactive exhibits.

Operated in partnership with the Tkuma Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies.

3. Tkuma Institute

A research and education center focused on Jewish history, the Holocaust, and interethnic dialogue.

Organizes conferences, academic projects, and school programs across Ukraine and internationally.

4. Business and Conference Infrastructure

The center includes several modern business spaces, including:

Sinai Hall (multi-purpose hall for events and conferences)

Menorah Grand Hall

Office and meeting spaces for business use

The goal is to foster cooperation between cultural and commercial initiatives.

5. Hotels

Menorah Hotel (4-star): Offers Shabbat-friendly accommodations, kosher meals, and religious amenities.

7 Days City Hotel (2-star): More budget-friendly option within the same complex.

Both serve international visitors, including tourists, businesspeople, and scholars.

6. Kosher Restaurants and Cafés

Several kosher dining options are available, including traditional Ashkenazi and Israeli cuisine.

Also includes a kosher bakery and catering services for events.

7. Retail and Services

Includes bookshops, souvenir stores, Judaica boutiques, a travel agency, and a kosher supermarket.

Visitors can purchase Jewish books, ceremonial objects, and locally produced goods.

Cultural and Social Role

The Menorah Center is not only a religious and cultural institution—it also serves as a community support hub. It provides:

Educational programs for children, teenagers, and adults

Humanitarian aid and support services, especially during times of crisis (e.g., war or economic instability)

Public events and festivals, including Jewish holidays, film screenings, concerts, and exhibitions

Interfaith dialogue and outreach, encouraging understanding between Jews, Christians, and other communities in Ukraine

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Menorah Center played a vital role in sheltering displaced persons, organizing humanitarian aid, and continuing religious and educational activities despite blackouts, air raids, and other hardships.

Practical Visitor Information

Opening Hours: Typically 9:00 – 21:00 daily (some parts operate with separate hours)

Languages Spoken: Ukrainian, Russian, English, Hebrew

Guided Tours: Available upon request, especially for the museum and synagogue

Accessibility: Fully accessible for people with disabilities

Security: The center is guarded and entry to some parts (e.g., synagogue or museum) may require ID and screening

Summary

The Menorah Center is more than a Jewish cultural complex—it is a beacon of Jewish identity, learning, and community revival in post-Soviet Eastern Europe. With its world-class museum, architectural symbolism, dynamic educational initiatives, and humanitarian reach, it represents Dnipro’s deep-rooted and forward-looking Jewish presence. Whether you're a scholar, tourist, or member of the community, the Menorah Center offers an experience that is both spiritually uplifting and intellectually enriching.