The Jewish community in Chernihiv has existed since the twelfth century. In the XIX century there were four synagogues and houses of worship in the city at the same time. In the second half of the XIX century there was a need for a large choral synagogue, which was built in 1876.
In the early 1930s, the Soviet authorities closed the synagogue, and in 1938 its building was transferred to the newly created Palace of Pioneers, which existed there until 1988. It is known that the internal structure of the synagogue was rebuilt for the needs of the palace. In 1988, the building of the synagogue was transferred to the Youth Theater, which is located in it to this day.