By COLlive reporter
The Jewish community in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, is experiencing a troubling wave of anti-Semitic incidents. On the night following Pesach, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the local shul.
This was the second incident in a week, following the targeted vandalism of a community vehicle earlier. Thanks to advanced security protections installed by Chabad’s global security network (CWA), a major disaster was averted. Ukrainian security forces have launched an investigation, and the community is calling for increased security measures.
The first incident occurred early last week, when a car belonging to the community and bearing Jewish symbols was deliberately vandalized—its tires slashed, symbols defaced, and paint poured over the vehicle. “This was an act aimed at hurting us as a Jewish community,” said the city’s rabbi and Shliach, Rabbi Liron Edri.
As mentioned, the more serious incident happened on Motzoei Pesach, when Molotov cocktails were hurled at the shul. Rabbi Edri was alerted by the local CWA security coordinator in Ukraine.
“Thanks to the reinforced windows installed in recent months, a major fire was prevented,” Rabbi Edri explained. The protection system, which includes specialized glass, along with security cameras and alarm systems installed by CWA, kept the firebombs from penetrating the building and causing significant damage.
Rabbi Edri noted that the pattern resembled a recent anti-Semitic attack in Mykolaiv, where Molotov cocktails were also thrown at a shul. “We fear this may be part of a coordinated trend targeting Jewish communities,” he added.
Local security authorities have launched an investigation, and the community is awaiting updates. These incidents are part of a broader wave of anti-Semitic activity in Ukraine, amid the ongoing war and the rise in anti-Semitic rhetoric across Eastern Europe.
Elia Goldberg, CWA’s Ukraine Security Coordinator, emphasized the importance of proactive preparedness: “The protective systems we installed—with the support of the Jewish Agency’s Security Fund—saved the shul. We continue to work closely with the community to ensure its safety.”
Rabbi Edri expressed gratitude to the police and government officials who took the incident seriously. “They arrived at the shul immediately and promised to conduct an investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
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