The Moscow Jewish community was born in Moscow in the middle of the 19th century, and over this not so long period the pages of its history were marked by many prominent names and events. Today it is not easy to meet people speaking Yiddish in the capital, and every year there are less and less of them. Nevertheless, the life of the Jewish community continues, and the memory of the people involved in it is forever preserved on the memorial tombstones of the Vostryakovsky cemetery - the main Jewish necropolis of Moscow.
The history of the Jewish cemetery in Moscow
At the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. near the village of Vostryakovo a cemetery appeared for the burial of local residents. A little later, in the 1930s, the board of the Moscow Jewish community received permission to create its own cemetery next to it. It was supposed to replace the former Jewish cemetery in Moscow - Dorogomilovskoe. All the old graves were moved, and now they are allotted a place on the right side of the main alley of the necropolis.
Over the several years of its existence, the Vostryakovsky Jewish cemetery in Moscow has expanded significantly, and today it includes four territories: Monastery, Old, New and Newest. Many Jews are buried here, whose names are inextricably linked with the history of the development of Soviet and subsequently Russian science and culture. These are famous figures of literature and cinema, scientists. In the territory of the old cemetery and the monastery wall, you can honor the memory of outstanding public servants and their families.
Vostryakovsky Jewish cemetery in Moscow: famous Jews
In many cities of Russia there are necropolises where representatives of Jewish communities rest. A considerable number of famous and not so Jews are buried in Jewish cemeteries in Moscow: Hina Leib Srulevich, Vaksberg Arkady Iosifovich, Iofe Simon Izrailevich rest here ... These names are little known to the modern generation, but their long list is replenished every day. However, there are people among them whose graves stand out due to majestic monuments and unusual epitaphs. Read about some of them below.
White magician Yuri Longo
Yuri Longo, a healer known for his experiments in reviving the dead, died in 2006. There are legends that he was able to transfer to the dead a part of his life energy, which allowed them to move parts of their bodies and open their mouths, apparently in attempts to communicate something to those who were still alive. Some seriously believe that the famous magician only took a break in his life cycle. However, the official cause of death is aortic rupture. On February 20, 2006, Yuri Longo was buried at the Vostryakovsky cemetery.
Wolf Messing: The Riddle Man
How many of us have never heard the name of this legendary prophet, whose incredible abilities even admired Stalin and Hitler? It was this man who predicted the collapse of the fascist regime and indicated the exact date for the end of World War II - May 8, 1945. He repeatedly called on Stalin to stop anti-Semitic actions, but, having failed to convince the Soviet leader to listen to himself, he predicted that he would die on a Jewish holiday - Purim, which is traditionally celebrated by Jews around the world on March 5. This happened in 1953.
Wolf Messing absolutely knew the date of his own death, so when his death was near, the predictor was ready to leave this world. November 8, 1974 Wolf Messing passed away. His grave is located at the 38th section of the Jewish cemetery in Moscow, next to the grave of his wife.
“Friend of Paradoxes” Dietmar Rosenthal
A Russian spelling reformer born and raised in Poland, a Jew by nationality, Dietmar Rosenthal spent his entire conscious life in Germany. In Russia, he studied Italian, but millions of people are known for his numerous textbooks on the style of the Russian language and the dictionaries, manuals and reference books he developed. Rosenthal died on July 29, 1994 in Moscow, forever retaining the title of the last pathological connoisseur of the Russian language.
Infrastructure and organization of the Vostryakovsky cemetery
At present, the area of the Vostryakovsky Jewish cemetery in Moscow is about 137 hectares. On the territory is the Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist. It was opened in 2000 and was solemnly consecrated a year after this event, on April 3, 2001. There is a discreet building only 1 floor high - a ritual-funeral site from the Moscow Choral Synagogue - a place for the commemoration of the deceased, who during their lifetime belonged to the Jewish community. Thus, the Jewish cemetery in Moscow is not only the largest necropolis, but also a symbol of the peaceful coexistence of two cultures. In addition, the cemetery contains a mass grave of 1,200 soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War, who installed the monument.
Thus, the Vostryakovsky Jewish cemetery in Moscow, without exaggeration, can be considered one of the main memorial monuments of the capital. Today, anyone interested in the history of the Jewish people can come here either on their own or as part of an excursion to inspect the cemetery and honor the memory of the Jews buried here.
Vostryakovsky cemetery is open to visitors daily from 09:00 throughout the year. In autumn and winter, you can get here until 17:00, in spring and summer - until 19:00. Burials are held on any day of the week until 17:00.
How to get there by public transport?
Vostryakovskoe cemetery is located at: Moscow, st. Ozernaya, 47. The territory is divided by the Borovsky highway and is surrounded by a ring road around the perimeter. The cemetery itself is very reminiscent of an old dilapidated park, since it has long been overgrown with perennial trees, whose branches stretch far up.
In order to get to the cemetery, you first need to get to the Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station. It is most convenient to get into the first car from the center. From there, buses No. 66, 718, 720, 752 and minibuses No. 71 and 91 go to the Vostryakovskoye cemetery stop.
How to get there by car?
Using the navigator, you can easily reach the cemetery using your own transport. Enter the following coordinates: 55.661362, 37.442931 - and hit the road.
If you go from the Moscow Ring Road, it is important not to miss the exit to the Borovskoye highway, which is located at the 46th km. Upon reaching Ozernaya Street, after 350 meters, turn and continue driving up to the necropolis fence. Please note that during the summer period and during holidays and holidays, the number of visitors to the cemetery increases, so parking problems may occur. Please contact the property prior to your trip and request a visit by car.
Finally, a few photos of the Jewish cemetery in Moscow. Have you ever visited this amazing place?
There is an alley, which is very similar to the old park, where you can take a walk and relax, sitting on one of the benches.
The cemetery has beautiful monuments.
In the photo you can see how some tombstones of the Jewish cemetery look.