The City of Dreams: Jewish Odessa

Odessa is the third most populous city and municipality in Ukraine and a major seaport and transport hub located in the south-west of the country. Founded in 1794 on the Black Sea coastline, which at that time belonged to the Russian Empire, Odessa became the third largest Jewish city in the world in the early 1900s. We will discuss what attracted Jews from different parts of Eastern and Central Europe to this city and port? Who were the early Jewish settlers? Why did Odessa become called the “star in exile” for a Russian Jew?

During this presentation on Zoom, you’ll take a virtual stroll around Odessa’s old town and uncover the history of the Jewish community from the city’s founding till the late eighteen hundreds. You’ll marvel at the Brodsky and the Main Coral Synagogues, follow in the footsteps of the Ephrussi family described in the “Hare with Amber Eyes” novel and see the address where modern Israel was born.

Olga, our presenter is excited to share her passion for her home city by presenting its Jewish heritage through this series she created on Zoom especially for the LESJC that will allow us the opportunity to explore the sights, learn the history, and hear about the people that have made or presently make Odessa such a unique and special place.