Source: The Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS
http://www.fjc.ru/news/newsArticle.asp?AID=176999
On September 21, 2004 The Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS reported, "Russia Berel Lazar met with the Governor of Ulianovsk Region, Vladimir Shamanov. During their discussion, the Governor informed Rabbi Lazar of his decision to transfer an old synagogue building to the Ulianovsk Jewish community, a member of FJC Russia. The synagogue is situated close the current Jewish Community Center. The meeting also involved local community leaders, who spoke about a new initiative, whereby a board of nationalities would be formed. The goal of such a board would be to promote religious tolerance and healthy inter-ethnic relations within the region. At the event, Rabbi Lazar stated, 'returning to the traditional and religious roots of the peoples inhabiting Russia is the only possibility to provide a moral education for the generation currently being raised in Russia'. Governor Shamanov, in his turn, expressed hope that the Chief Rabbi’s visit to Ulianovsk provide strong impetus for a new stage in the development of the Jewish community within Russia."