Lasko Dmitry
Lasko Dmitry

Kosher and Jewish Life in Minsk

TJT’s guide for kosher and Jewish travelers in Minsk. Information about kosher restaurants, cafes, shops, bakeries or delis, kosher near me location based (GPS) search, & Jewish points of interest, such as shuls, mikvahs, kosher and observant friendly hotels and Jewish community centers in Minsk, Belarus.

About Minsk

Minsk, the capital of Belarus, is a modern metropolis dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture. Many of its museums, theaters and other cultural attractions stand along Independence Avenue (Praspyekt Nyezalyezhnastsi), a wide, 15km-long thoroughfare terminating by the vast Independence Square. Looming over this iconic plaza are massive KGB headquarters and the neo-Romanesque Church of Saints Simon and Helena, also known as the Red Church. The earliest historical references to Minsk date to the 11th century (1067), when it was noted as a provincial city within the principality of Polotsk. Minsk has a warm summer its weather is unstable and tends to change often. The average January temperature is −4.5 °C (23.9 °F), while the average July temperature is 18.5 °C (65.3 °F). Minsk is the major cultural centre of Belarus. Its first theatres and libraries were established in the middle of the 19th century. Now it has 11 theatres and 16 museums. There are 20 cinemas and 139 libraries.

Jewish History, POI & Kosher Establishments in Minsk

The Jews in Belarus were the third largest ethnic group in the country in the first half of the 20th century. Before World War II, Jews were the third among the ethnic groups in Belarus and comprised more than 40% of the population in cities and towns. The population of cities such as Minsk, Pinsk, Mahiliou, Babrujsk, Viciebsk, and Homiel was more than 50% Jewish. The 1999 census estimated that there were only 29,000 Jews left in the country. However, local Jewish organizations put the number at 50,000, and the Jewish Agency believes that there are 70,000. About half of the country's Jews live in Minsk. Despite anti-semitic government policies, national Jewish organizations, local cultural groups, religious schools, charitable organizations, and organizations for war veterans and Holocaust survivors have been formed. Since the mass immigration of the 1990s, there has been some continuous immigration to Israel. In 2002, 974 Belarusians moved to Israel, and between 2003 and 2005, 4,854 followed suit. There are three synagogues in Minsk. You can find kosher food from the Chabad House.

Weather In Minsk

30 Mar

Shabbat Candlelighting Times for Loading...

Please note:

Shabbat times on this page are based on the common Candle lighting formulas - in most locations it is 18 minutes before sunset. If you have any comments or questions regarding Shabbat Times on this page, please contact us

What Is *JOFY?

JOFY, or "Jewish Observant Friendly" Establishments are lodging establishments offering special services for Jewish Observant guests such as Shabbat meals, accommodation on lower floors and regular keys for the rooms. It can also be a NON KOSHER establishment located in walking distance from the local Shul, community or kosher restaurants area.

Please note - *JOFY does NOT mean that KOSHER food is served on the premises!