Interior of Small Kenesa in Eupatoria

Layout

Kenesas, generally, are similar to the synagogues of Rabbinical Jews. They are always laid out along north-south axis. Starting from the northern entrance, kenesa contains:

• Vestibule (azar), where worshippers take off their shoes. Shoes are not permitted anywhere further
• Moshav Zekenim (, old men's pews) - wooden benches for the old and the mourners, usually under a low ceiling. The loft above this ceiling is reserved for the women, who remain invisible to the men on the main floor
• Shulkhan (?????) - the main hall, where men and boys worship on their knees. Traditional kenesa floors were carpeted, however, modern kenesas have pews in the main hall, too
• Gekhan, or altar (?????) - raised stand for the ritual Ark and the priest

Surviving kenesas

<gallery> Image:Karaimská kenesa.jpg|Trakai Image:Karaite Kenesa Vilnius.jpg|Vilnius Image:Karaim-Kenassa-Entrance.jpg|Eupatoria Image:Cufut Qale kenassa.jpg|Cufut Kale Image:?????????? ??????? ? ????? 4.jpg|Gorodetsky Kenesa in Kiev </gallery> There were 20 kenesas in former Russian Empire, 9 of them in Crimea (by 1918, two more were added). All surviving kenesas are listed memorial buildings, however, many are in dilapidated state, and others, like Sebastopol kenesa, although in better shape, are managed by public authorities or private owners, not the karaite communities. The principal, operating place of Karaite worship in Ukraine is located in Eupatoria, Crimea. It actually contains two independent kenesas, re-opened to the public in 2005 and 1999.

Kenesas in Lithuania were built in the 14th century; in Trakai, Bir?ai, K?dainiai, Panev??ys and Vilnius. An early 20th century kenesa still stands in Trakai, Lithuania and another one in Vilnius; both are in service.

Sources

• (Russian): ?????? "???????? ?????????? ?????? ? ????????? ? ?????? ??????? ? ????", ???. ?. ?. ??????, C??????????, 2006 // Karaite kenassas in Eupatoria and other kenassas of the world, ed. by V. V. Mineev, Simpheropol, 2006

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