In 1927 communists decided to destroy the synagogue, but 30 women with their children inhabited the building and stayed for 3 months to save it from destruction. This fact saved the Oni synagogue. In 1991 a big earthquake took place in Oni which destroyed the smaller synagogue and damaged the big one. Jewish organizations, JDC and former president Eduard Shevardnadze, all collectively helped renovate the big synagogue.