Kenesa

Kenessa ( from the Aramaic word for "assembly", hebrew cooperation knesset ) is called the synagogue of the Karaites and Persian Jews.

Equipment

Kenessas are similarly furnished the synagogues of rabbinic Judaism. They are often stored in a north-south direction. Starting from the northern entrance includes a Kenessa:

• The hallway ( azar ), in which the worshipers sit the shoes because wearing shoes in worship is not allowed
• Moshav Zekenim ( מושב זקנים, old man benches ) - wooden benches for the elderly and mourners, usually under a gallery, the upper range - is reserved for women - men eyes hidden.
• Shulchan ( שולחן ) - nave, where men and boys attend the worship kneeling. Traditionally, these rooms were carpeted, modern Kenessas also have benches
• Gekhan, Altar ( היחל )

Kenessas received

In the successor states of the Soviet Union there were 20 Kenessas, nine of them in the Crimea (1918 came two added ). Preserved Kenessas are - often decrepit - memorials, others like the Kenessa of Sevastopol are in foreign hands. In the main Karaite prayer Ukraine, Evpatoria in Crimea, there are two independent Kenessas that were reopened in 2005 and 1999. Also noteworthy is the Kenessa in Kiev.

In Lithuania, was built in the 14th century Kenessas in Trakai, Biržai, Kėdainiai, Panevezys and Vilnius. Since the beginning of the 20th century are still the Kenessas in Trakai and Vilnius in operation.

Vilnius

Evpatoria

Cufut Kale

Kiev

Swell

• ( Russian): Альбом " Комплекс караимских кенасс в Евпатории и другие кенассы в мире " ред. В. В. Минеев, Симферополь, 2006 / / Karaite Kenesas in Evpatoria and other Kenesas the world, ed. V. V. Mineev, Simferopol, 2006

• Synagogue