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Renovation work has begun at the 19th-century choral synagogue in the western Belarusian city of Hrodna.
The synagogue is one of the oldest in Europe. It is on the list of government-protected historic heritage and one of the four synagogues in Belarus.
The renovation is projected to last until 2010, with the first stage envisaging the restoration of the building's exterior and interior.
"We will try to preserve what there was previously," says Rabbi Itskhak Kofman. "And we will add what the community needs, including a museum, a library and computer classes."
Experts estimate the work to cost $1.2 million.
Closed in 1940, the synagogue was given back to the local Jewish community in 1994.
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