Posted on 05/11/2005 9:59:41 PM PDT by M. Espinola
MALACHOVKA, Russia – Jewish residents of Malakhovka are in shock in the wake of a fire that broke out in the community's historical synagogue. The blaze began around 6:30 AM on May 10th, quickly engulfing this historic wooden construction. Although firemen arrived soon after the fire broke out, it was already impossible to rescue the building.
Residents neighboring the Synagogue building noticed that the fire began on the upper floor, where a burglar had penetrated the building. The town's Mayor, the Chief of Police and a group from the Federal Security Service had arrived on site by 9 AM. The fire destroyed virtually everything in the Synagogue, leaving only the walls standing.
This is indeed a grave event for the local Jewish community, which had only just signed a contract awarding them free tenure of this historical building on March 1st. The local Chabad Lubavitch emissary serving the community, Rabbi Moshe Tamarin, has no idea who might have wanted to burn this unique synagogue. “A series of bad things began to occur to the Synagogue following its privatization," noted Rabbi Tamarin.
As recently as Friday night, the Synagogue suffered from a robbery, in which virtually everything was stolen, apart from the Torah scrolls, which were locked away in the Aron Hakodesh. Rabbi Moshe Tamarin discovered this tragedy on Saturday morning and informed police, who eventually detained a drug addict residing in a neighboring building in regards to this crime. They were able to retrieve everything other than the audio-visual equipment, which he had already sold. Now, on this tragic day in the life of the local Jewish community, all of this and their historic building has been destroyed.
Jews of Malakhovka are most eager to find those persons responsible for both that theft and for starting the blaze. Law enforcement authorities are, as of yet, not ready to provide any information on the course of the investigation. Arson has, so far, not been ruled out as the initiating cause.
The Malakhovka Synagogue was erected in 1932 with funds collected from amongst Jews of Malakhovka and Tomilino, then just villages. Official documents of that period listed the Synagogue as a one-story log building used for economic purposes. During the Soviet regime, state authorities continually created obstacles for local Jews who wanted to worship in this building. Nevertheless, they continued to hold religious services through to just a few days ago.
“We will rebuild the Synagogue,” said Avraham Berkowitz the Executive Director of the FJC, “we will never give in to hate and will overcome this evil act by showing our determination to rebuild, and continue to provide the religious, cultural and social needs of the Jews of Malachovka with pride.”
If you would like to make a contribution to help the Jewish community of Malakhovka rebuild their Synagogue, please CLICK HERE.
The FJC of the CIS and Baltic States is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c) 3 organization. Your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Very distressing news.
https://www.fjc.ru/AboutUs/default.asp?AID=80060
From the article, this is a direct link to the donation page. It looks like it's a secure site.
Prayers that Jews around the world should contribute to rebuild this synagogue to its historic glory.
FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel ping list.
WARNING: This is a high volume ping list
I can vouch that it is a secure site since I know who is running it. :)
Why was your post 6 removed?
Aha!....she says, grinning, ear to ear! :)
You're welcome. I don't like this one bit. I think this needs coverage...FAR more than it's getting.
So? Another BTTT!!!
And a volly bump back to you!
One more before bed!
Fine!
If you insist! ONE MORE BTTT!!! :)
I'll make a donation to it tomorrow morning. Thanks for the ping.
Slam dunk bump!!
And one last triple-axle with a flying camel spin bttp!!
Sounds like it's in a rough neighborhood, if their next door neighbor is a bum hanging out in a non residential building. What a shame.
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