About us:
We are the team of enthusiastic Jewish people and professionals – the event & tourist service team of kosher Restaurant “Lechaim” of the St.-Petersburg Community of Orthodox Judaism at the Grand Choral Synagogue that has been opened since 2005 in the historical interiors of the Grand Choral synagogue building.
At the day of opening ceremony of the Grand Choral Synagogue on December, 8th 1893, the Chief Rabbi expressed his hope that the new synagogue “will become the starting point of the Future Temple, the temple of universal love and peace». Today we can say that the rabbi`s hopes came true: the synagogue and it`s institutions is a beating heart of Jewish St.-Petersburg, it is a cultural center for the Saint-Petersburg Jews with opportunity to keep Jewish traditions and rituals. Being one of the synagogue`s institutions, “Lechaim” is the only kosher restaurant in Saint-Petersburgand a non-profit-making restaurant; all the profit gained is put to charitable use, such as supporting local Hebrew schools, kindergartens, summer camps, and helping the needy. The Synagogue Complex is visitedby hundreds and thousands of tourists from all over the world each year, so our experience allows us to offer the complex of different professional services to those planning to host any kind of kosher event:
- Weddings
- Bar & Bat Mitzvahs
- Family Shabbatot, Family celebrations/ reunions
- Charitable galas
- Anniversaries/Birthdays
- Social Events, Corporate Events
- Meetings, Seminars, Conventions, Conferences and more.
St. Petersburg offers:
The city itself gives the chance to make your event unforgettable. Thousands of Russian people from different corners of Russia come to our city for picturesque places for their weddings and special dates photo shooting. Experience activities that are authentic to the local people-come with us on an exciting experience of observing St.-Petersburg using city views as the luxury decorations during your picture stops for your event best pictures
We offer:
There is a whole Synagogue Complex space to choose from, no matter what type of event you are planning small or large:
- Magnificent authentic interiors of the Grand Synagogue- the main synagogue of the former Russian Empire and the second largest in Europe (up to 1500 seats) will make your event full of special meaning and atmosphere.
- The completely restored halls of the Small Synagogue of St. Petersburg (1886, backyard of the Grand Choral Synagogue)with unique figured ceilings and parquet floor will amaze you by its original look, exactly as designed by the founders, almost 130 years ago.
- there are several dining-halls with seating capacity up to 200 guests at the “Lechaim” restaurant on the ground floor of the Synagogue's building at your disposal. Classical dining-hallsof the restaurant have low vaulted ceilings and are decorated in light colors. The walls are decorated with Moorish ornament. Antique comfortable furniture of fine wood and the unique colorful stained- glass windows make the halls especially cosy
Grand synagogue`s historically unique “Alexandrovsky hall” (or “Wedding hall”) named after Russian Emperor Alexander II who gave the permission to build the synagogue will impress you being a definite masterpiece of restoration skill. Never loosing it`s historical feel the amazing hall can be used for Veiling ceremony (Bedeken) or/ and “Chuppah” ceremony even today.
Use of the Mikva is available for our guests, giving the opportunity to keep Jewish traditions and rituals.The synagogue owns and maintains a modern full-service mikvah, which meets all standards for health and ritual purity. The two-store mikvah, with its two sections (men’s and women’s), meets all the requirements of Jewish law and modern comfort.
The guests are guaranteed only kosher leMehadrin food under the supervision of Rabbi Menachem-Mendel Pewzner, the Chief Rabbi of S-Petersburg (all the preparation process meets all the standards prescribed by Jewish religious law). Our executive Chef can create the food as superb as the ceremony offeringboth the traditional dishes of Jewish cuisine and European menu including the most popular dishes of different national cuisines.
If you decide to have your ceremony/reception not at the synagogue our event team would be delighted to offer you guidance and expertise, helping you decide exactly what place of your dreams to choose. You can be inspired by the variety of places existing in St.-Petersburg: from charming halls of the local restaurants and hotels for small and intimate gatherings to brilliant historical interiors of the world`s known aristocratic mansions and palaces, former royal family residences and royal parks for large-scale events.
We provide takeaway dishes and catering for events of any level with the highest level of service (custom catering menu, bar service, delicious cakes and desserts)
With attention to every detail and Jewish traditions we offer a range of additional options to achieve your dream:
Entertaining and event design with the best Jewish photographers & videographers, florists, technical equipment, musicians, show program and many more.
This is us too if you like to make your stay and event in our city easier and more attractive:
Interpreters and translators, transport service with driver/tour guide,Jewish heritage tours/ General interest tours, hotel accommodation special group price.
It is possible to feel the atmosphere of a great city, staying within the Jewish life. You can rely on us and feel yourself not like a guest but a relative!