Update on Vandalism of Mykolaiv Synagogue

OCTOBER 30TH 2023

Police are investigating the red paint splashed on the exterior walls of the synagogue in Mykolaiv. The city’s rabbi, Shalom Gottlieb, explained, “the situation in Mykolaiv is already delicate due to the security situation over the past two years. Incidents like these only cause greater pain.” The security officer for the local Jewish communities operating on behalf of Chabad World Assistance (CWA), Chabad’s global security services is also monitoring the situation.

Rabbi Gottlieb reported, “The initial assessment is that this act was carried out in response to the rampant antisemitic incitement in the wake of the situation in Israel. However, all possible leads will be thoroughly examined.” The rabbi further noted, “We were shocked because there’s a curfew in place from midnight, and it’s unclear when the perpetrator had the opportunity to do this.”

Mykolaiv is one of the cities hardest hit during the ongoing conflict: “Until now, we don’t have regular water supply in our homes,” explained the rabbi. Nevertheless, the local Jewish community is “vibrant and active,” he said. “We have activities around the clock and throughout the year, despite the challenging circumstances.”

“Every weekend,” he added, “my wife and our family bake thousands of challahs for Shabbat, which are distributed to five hundred Jewish residents who come here for an organized distribution. Along with the challahs, they receive Shabbat candles, wine for Kiddush, and other items.” JRNU provides food, medical care and other humanitarian aid to the community on a regular and ongoing basis.

“There’s more pain here than fear,” the rabbi continued, “the situation in Mykolaiv is already fragile due to the security concerns over the past two years. Incidents like these only intensify the pain. In general, the Jewish community here is closely connected to what’s happening in the Holy Land, and naturally, such an antisemitic incident deeply saddens all of us. But, from our past experience, we know that such incidents only strengthen the community even further.”

We continue to support the men, women and children of the Mykolaiv community along tens of thousands of other individuals across the country. With your help we save lives and restore hope.

Together we Save Lives and Restore Hope!

Shlomo Peles
Executive Director
Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki
Dnipro, Ukraine
Rabbi Pinchas Vishedsky
Kyiv, Ukraine
Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz
Kharkiv, Ukraine
Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm
Zhitomir, Ukraine
Rabbi Avraham Wolff
Odessa, Ukraine