Original Lubavitch Was Vandalized

By COLlive reporter

Residents of the village of Lyubavichi in the Rudnyansky District of Smolensk Oblast in Russia discovered antisemitic graffiti on a historic Jewish site.

“Jews leave Russia, this is our land” was spraypainted along with swastikas on the gate of the courtyard of the former headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and residence of its Rebbes.

The village, also pronounced Lubavitch, has been preparing for the special Chassidic date of 15 Elul to mark the founding of Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim there by the Rebbe Rashab.

A special dedication ceremony is planned to launch the construction work on the cemetery which houses the Ohels of the Tzemach Tzedek and the Rebbe Maharash, the third and fourth Rebbes of Chabad-Lubavitch respectively.

Rabbi Gavriel Gordon, the Shliach who oversees the location, said he has been in contact with local authorities and that they are taking the incident seriously.

He said the quiet town is known for its welcoming residents who are friendly to the Jewish people who come to visit and pray.

He said the assumption is that the anti-Semitic writing was done by people from out of the area who are bothered by the recent renewed Jewish activity in the town.

“We are determined to continue with all of our development plans,” he said. “Visitors have nothing to worry about as the place is guarded and the police are promising to expand its security measures there.”