Arson Attack on Synagogue in Obninsk Shocks Jewish Community
The Jewish community in Obninsk, Russia was shaken Wednesday night after vandals set fire to their local synagogue. The attack, which targeted the synagogue’s electrical room, caused significant damage but thankfully resulted in no injuries.
According to the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, the vandals attempted to break into the synagogue by smashing windows and trying to force open the main door. When these efforts failed, they resorted to arson, setting fire to the electrical box which powers the building. The fire was eventually contained, and repairs were quickly made, allowing the synagogue to restore power and proceed with Shabbat evening prayers as scheduled.
Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar expressed deep concern over the incident. In his statement, he drew parallels between this attack and recent terrorist actions in Dagestan, underscoring a broader pattern of violence against religious sites. “Whoever is behind this latest attempt at terrorism, it is evident that it is in the same context as the arson of churches and synagogues in Makhachkala and Derbent,” Rabbi Lazar said. He emphasized the importance of a firm response to such extremist acts and called for global unity in upholding sacred values.
“The leaders of our country, thank G-d, take a principled stance on this issue, demanding a tough response to each extremist attack. I sincerely hope that the law enforcement agencies will quickly find and appropriately punish both the perpetrators and the organizers of the attack in Obninsk,” he added.
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, aiming to bring the vandals to justice. The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia has condemned the attack as a deliberate act of vandalism and highlighted the need for heightened security measures to protect religious sites across the country.
The small Jewish community in Obninsk, known as Russia’s Atomic City due to its scientific research institutions, is resilient in the face of this adversity. The swift response by local authorities and community members prevented further damage, but the psychological impact on the community remains significant.
As Rabbi Lazar concluded, “We will pray for humanity to finally return to eternal values and for a respectful attitude towards sacred things to prevail everywhere.”
