Fire Damages Miami Beach Chabad Synagogue
MIAMI BEACH, FL — Police on Tuesday are investigating an overnight fire that gutted a Miami Beach synagogue during Passover.
Congregants of The Chabad Shul at 2401 Pinetree Dr. suspect the fire was intentionally set, and they say whoever did it also vandalized a Torah inside.
More pictures in the Extended Article!
”Somebody came in, took the Torah out of its ark, and they tore it apart and set it on fire,” shul member Roger Abramson said Tuesday after surveying the scene. “We cannot believe it.”
Police and fire officials were looking into the possibility of arson Tuesday but had not made a determination.
Earlier, fire investigators ”found no signs of forced entry that would lead them to think it was crime-related,” Miami Beach Fire Chief Javier Otero said.
The damage from the 2:30 a.m. blaze was ”extensive,” Otero said.
”It burned for a long time before it was reported,” he said.
The fire happened on the third day of the weeklong Passover holiday, during which Jews remember their ancestors’ escape from slavery.
In October, an early morning fire wrecked the sanctuary and other parts of another Miami Beach synagogue, the Community Kollel at 3767 Chase Ave. The leaders and congregants suspected arson, and fire officials were investigating.
CHI Ed: The shul is the ”The Chabad Shul – Chabad House on Wheels” which is directed by Rabbi Zev and his wife Chani Katz. You can visit their website by clicking here
Police outside The Chabad Shul synagogue at 2401 Pine Tree Dr Miami Beach. On railing are prayer shawl, called a talis, and religious books partly burned. The interior of the synagogue and school was destroyed in a fire suspected of being arson. (Photo by: Battle Vaughn / Miami Herald Staff)
elchonon
oh how completely shocking…get a grip people.. all I ever hear from you is “why do i need a gun’ well its apparent why..
sympathy
Kristalnacht
chabad bochur
unbelievable!!!!!!! i was at this chabad house last year helping out the shliach, zevi katz is an awesome shliach. i cannot believe this happend!!!!! whoever did this will burn in h—!!!!!! sorry zevi.
shlomo lazarus
Every shliach sends their heart felt wishes. From these ashes you will build fa greater testimony to the Rebbe’s resolve to bring Moshiach through you mesiras nefesh.Every Shliahc who experienced this catastrophe has found the inspiration to live with the adage ‘Lechatchilah ariber’
Our thoughts are wit you.
The Chertman-s
Dear Rabbi,
Whoever did this is going to receive their panishment because we know that nothing stays hided under the sun. As Jews we will build again and again as we always did. Specially at this time of the year and in this holiday season this will be a tremendous reason to keep going even bigger and better. Yor tremendous effort building that sinagogue won’t be efaced just because it was burned. These ashes will fortified our spirits once more.
May G-s will keep you and all the Jewish people always alive ready to praise the Only One who took us from Egipt and protect us to keep on going…
S.S.
If I recall correctly,this is the second Chabad Shul to have a fire in FLorida in the last half year. Is there a connection?
yitain el liboi
This is already the third (big)fire at Chabad houses in the last few months. This, besides the very many serious health issues amongst the Shluchim in Florida.
Maybe its high time its leader (head Shliach) takes the message from on high ( the tearing Rachmono litzlan of a Sefer Torah) and as the Rambam says not be an achzori with the messages coming from on high.
The Rebbe always said the leader carries the blame….
PS I hope you don’t censor this message and deny this opportunity and perhaps message as well from on high to be a catalyst for some positive introspection.
sarah karmely
rabbi and mrs katz are the most wonderful people, may Hashem give you an even more beautiful shule, with much hatzlocha, my heart and prayers are with you, dont worry it will be better from now on
heart broken
hashem yeracham. i actually feel sick. very disturbing. just like hashem took us out of the golus egypt so to will he take us out of this golus!! stay strong rabbi.
Yonatan
do guns put out fires, im all for the second amendment, but how does it play out here?
elchonon wrote:
oh how completely shocking…get a grip people.. all I ever hear from you is “why do i need a gun’ well its apparent why..
04/22/08 – 16:01 –
Leah & Noel Eisdorfer
When I saw this on the 11:00 P.M. news last night I couldn’t sleep all night. We live in a world of “hatred” instead of “love & peace”. Although we’re members of a Conservative Snagogue in Aventura we will be sending a donation to help you get started with the re-building. Before my father’s passing he was a member of Chabad in Boynton Beach and we’re sending this donation in honor of Rabbi Schlomo Ciment who is the spiritual leader of that Chabad. Good luck & B’H……….
Yonah Ovadiah
This happend at the Miami Beach kollel, too, over Sukkos. When yidden are away, criminals take advantage.Unfortunately, apparently we have to keep everything guarded.
May Gd grant that your rebuilding be a success.
it says..
noch a sreifah vert men reich