As Athens Riots, Chabad Stays Focused

In a scene that is becoming all too familiar, protesters in Athens, Greece, armed with sticks, rocks and tear gas attacked local law enforcement in the square outside of the Parliament building Tuesday.

Amidst the chaos, Rabbi Mendel Hendel and his wife Nechama run the Athens Chabad. Daily and Shabbat services continue uninterrupted for Athens’ Jewish faithful and about 50 Jewish tourists who stop in weekly when they visit Greece over the summer.

“Thank G-d the violence is in a very specific area. It is about a ten minute walk and a few minutes by car so we do have demonstrators going past us, but they aren’t targeting civilians,” says Rabbi Hendel.

Three thousand Jews are scattered around Athens, a metropolitan area of more than six million residents. There isn’t any particular Jewish area so it is hard for people to get to Chabad–situated near the Parliament–when the area is packed with protesters.

“Some people are afraid,” Rabbi Hendel admits. “People try to avoid coming to the center of the city while the riots are going on. “

Riots on Athens’ streets are becoming a regular sight as angry residents become more concerned over the country’s devastating economic crisis. This has stirred up the populace, but it hasn’t impacted the flow of tourists yet.

Rabbi Hendel remains focused. He and his wife are busy planning for a group of 150 students coming from Brazil and another large group from Maryland in July. Rather than worry about whether the demonstrators will veer from their location outside the buildings where parliament meets, the Hendels are preparing for the visitors and the opening of a new facility, which includes a new Kosher restaurant and enough room to bring more of the Jewish community together,

Ever optimistic, the Rabbi says, “We make the best out of wherever we live.”