Synagogue

Houston synagogue, school close after threats

Houston synagogue and Jewish day school closed due to unspecified threats.

Police investigate arson attack at north London synagogue

Police confirm suspects 'threw two bottles, suspected to contain petrol, and a brick at the building', call on any witnesses to come forward.

Iran claims Tehran synagogue destroyed

Iran claims synagogue in Tehran was ‘completely destroyed’ by US-Israeli strike.

Long legal battle ends with $19 million payout to Chabad center

Long Island town ordered to pay $19M after blocking Chabad synagogue construction.

Revivim:

The boundaries of sanctity in a House of Prayer

A synagogue is a place that a Jewish community has designated as a place of prayer to God. It played a central role in preserving Jewish identity throughout the exile, serving as a kind of spiritual extension that continues from the Temple and the Land of Israel. Using it for mundane purposes or behaving in it in a mundane manner desecrates its sanctity.

Rotterdam synagogue set on fire: 'unlawful intimidation'

A video circulated on social media in which a group calling itself 'Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia' claims responsibility for the arson.

Abandoned Mahanoy City synagogue collapses, marking Jewish loss

A defunct synagogue, reminder of a once-proud community, collapses in Pennsylvania’s coal region.

Revivim:

The seating of Torah Scholars in the Synagogue - and donors?

By seating the elders at the front of the synagogue, the entire congregation bestows honor upon the Torah and its Sages. Although we find various communities that practiced not seating the rabbis in the “east," it is proper to return to the original custom-in order to honor the Torah and increase its influence.

Muslim group puts down deposit to buy East London synagogue

Ashaadibi community launches appeal to raise £3.5 million in nine months.

Bulgaria:

Swastikas and Nazi graffiti were sprayed on a synagogue

A serious antisemitic incident was reported in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv, where unidentified vandals sprayed Nazi slogans and swastikas on the gate of the community synagogue.

Synagogue and mosque hit

Winnipeg man charged over hate‑related graffiti

Winnipeg man charged with 14 counts of mischief after hate‑related graffiti hit a synagogue, mosque, and other sites, as police investigate motive and consider possible hate‑crime charges.

Nes Ziona: Concern over destruction of historic synagogue

The Israel Land Authority has demanded the eviction of the "Ezrat Achim" synagogue in Nes Ziona. The worshippers are opposed and warn: "We will fight in every way."

Gov. Hochul says she helped block demolition of historic shul

Historic Kingsbrook Synagogue, originally slated for destruction in Brooklyn development plan, to remain standing.

Caught after five synagogue break-ins and thefts

Police suspect a Tel Aviv resident broke into a synagogue five times over the past month by climbing through a window, pushing it open, and entering.

Harvard professor agrees to leave US after synagogue shooting

Senior Harvard professor, charged with firing shots near a synagogue on Yom Kippur, agrees to leave US voluntarily before being deported.

Los Angeles

Protesters storm synagogue and vandalize property; 2 arrested

During an anti-Israel demonstration, chants of “baby killers,” “Zionist pigs,” and “scum of the earth” were heard. Two suspects were arrested.

'We fell short':

NYPD Commissioner apologizes to NYC synagogue after protest

NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch apologizes for allowing ‘turmoil’ outside synagogue.

London police move anti-Israel protest away from synagogue

London police move an anti-Israel protest away from St. John’s Wood Synagogue after activists were urged to appear “visibly Jewish.”

Algeria: Historic synagogue demolished

Historic 'Shalom Lebahar' synagogue in Algiers destroyed after authorities claim it poses a risk to passersby.

Minneapolis synagogue targeted with pro-Hamas graffiti

Vandals spray-paint 'F*** Zionism,' 'Al-Aqsa Flood,' on Minneapolis synagogue, police investigating. 'Pure antisemitism.'

In tears, wearing kippah

Chancellor Merz gives emotional speech on rising antisemitism

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends the reopening of the Reichenbachstrasse Synagogue in Munich, expresses shock at the rise of antisemitism in the country, highlighting anti-Jewish sentiment among some Muslim immigrants and admitting: "For too long, we turned a blind eye."

Golders Green:

Synagogue, nursery school, targeted in antisemitic attack

Eighth antisemitic attack in Golders Green, London, targets synagogue, children's nursery.

Watch

Spike found hidden in chumash at prison synagogue

The spike could have been used to harm staff at the prison.

Jews are child killers:

Antwerp: Antisemitic graffiti on synagogue wall

"The police are investigating, checking the security cameras and hope to find the suspect," the community reported.

Northern Israel:

Man stabbed in synagogue brawl

A 25-year-old man stabbed and another injured in head after altercation at Kadita synagogue; suspects arrested hours later.

New Jersey:

Rabbi and family safely escape fire at historic synagogue

Friday morning fire destroys Congregation Beth El Chabad in Rutherford, New Jersey; synagogue determined 'complete loss.'

Ukraine:

Historic synagogue significantly damaged by Russian drone strike

Historic Nachlas Eliezer Synagogue in Odessa severely damaged by a Russian drone strike, which sparked a large fire; local rabbi condemns the attack.

Officials condemn

Historic synagogue in western Canada vandalized

Officials, including British Columbia Premier David Eby and Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger, condemn vandalism of the Congregation Emanu-el Synagogue in Victoria, Canada’s oldest surviving synagogue.

Missile strike in Holon

'Miracle no worshipers were hurt at Great Synagogue'

Rabbi Binyamin Hamra describes the magnitude of the miracle: "In a miraculous turn of events, precisely during the minutes when no worshippers were in the synagogue, the terrible explosion occurred, and no one was injured."

Jewish Firefighter rescues Torah from burning Long Island shul

Michael Farca emerged unscathed after entering Chabad of Greenvale to rescue the congregation's Torah scroll during a fire as congregants prayed outside.

World's largest Holy Ark completed at Yeshivat Ateret Shlomo

The ark in Rishon LeZion spans an area of 120 square meters, measuring 20 meters in length and 6.5 meters in height.

Inowłódź, Poland

Historic Inowłódź synagogue severely damaged in fire

Rare 19th-century synagogue in Inowłódź, Poland, which survived the Holocaust and preserved Jewish architectural elements and inscriptions, and now operates as a supermarket, sustained major fire damage.

NYPD boosting security for synagogues ahead of Passover

Hate crimes against Jews 'jump off the page' and account for 62% of all hate crimes in NYC, says the commanding officer of the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force.

Group arrested for breaking into synagogue to film video

Five arrested for allegedly filming a music video in historic Indianapolis synagogue.

In the freezing cold:

New synagogue dedicated in central Siberia

Jewish community in Tyumen, Siberia, celebrates dedication of new synagogue, attended by Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar.

Montreal synagogue defaced with swastika on Shabbat

'Such attacks are unacceptable in our metropolis, we must all unite and denounce all forms of antisemitism,' Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante says.

39 cases of arson against synagogues, most were closed

Recent findings in a Knesset session highlight the extensive damage to religious institutions in Israel, but most were not investigated.

Indictment:

Suspect desecrated Torah scroll, plundered charity box

Indictment filed against Shechem resident who attempted to remove Torah scroll from Holy Ark, causing damage.

Officials decry anti-Israel vandalism at NJ synagogue

Anti-Israel protesters spray-paint, 'Terrorists this way,' on synagogue driveway, police investigating.

Horrific:

Torah scroll destroyed in Bat Yam synagogue break-in

Vandals break into synagogue in Bat Yam, tearing open the Holy Ark, throwing Torah scroll on the floor and stepping on it.

'Free Gaza'

Anti-Israel graffiti sprayed on Bologna synagogue

Protesters spray-paint pro-Palestinian Arab messages on a synagogue in Bologna, Italy, during anti-government demonstrations sparked by death of a 19-year-old Egyptian-Italian man.

Another synagogue destroyed:

Torah scrolls rescued from Chabad center during LA fires

Century-old Conservative synagogue burned to the ground in minutes, Chabad center damaged and loses its menorahs, in Palisades Fire.

Herzog speaks to Trudeau after firebombing of Montreal synagogue

Israeli President tells Canadian PM that 'words would not suffice, and that firm and decisive action must be taken to bring the perpetrators to justice, to stamp out antisemitism' after syangogue firebombed for 2nd time since October 7.

Montreal synagogue firebombed for 2nd time since Oct. 7

Congregation Beth Tikvah has windows shattered and is set on fire in early morning attack after previously being firebombed in November 2023.

Melbourne synagogue arson:

Torah scrolls unharmed, bullet found near synagogue

A day after the Adass Israel synagogue was set aflame by masked individuals, a bullet was found nearby. The community is holding activities at a nearby location.

Synagogue chair:

'The whole community is in shock' after arson attack

Benjamin Klein, chairman at the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne, tells i24NEWS that arson attack was 'horrendous' for the community. 'This isn't something we expect, we live far away from any issues in Israel.' Watch.

Melbourne synagogue arson:

Pres. Herzog to world leaders: 'Condemn vile act of terror'

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemns arson attack on Melbourne's Adass Israel synagogue, urges leaders to condemn 'vile act of terror, combat the intolerable rise of anti-Jewish racism worldwide.'

From Lebanon: Restoring the honor of Avivim’s bombed synagogue

We had the merit to help restore the honor of Avivim’s broken synagogue, the dignity of those who lived in fear for so long, and the integrity of the State of Israel as a whole.

A guide to Italy's Jewish historical landmarks

Italy's Jewish community has left an indelible mark on the country's cultural and architectural landscape.

In first since Holocaust:

Historic Prague synagogue used on Yom Kippur

'I felt like the synagogue started breathing again,' Jewish Museum director Pavla Niklová says.

Man spotted with gun outside Minnesota synagogue is arrested

Minneapolis police arrest man for ‘terroristic threats’ made to synagogue on Rosh Hashanah.

What happened in my Shul in Herziliya

For the last six months we have endured Shabbat morning demonstrations outside our shul, attended by a handful of older people screaming at Likud MK Yuli Edelstein, a regular membe. This week they broke and entered the place of prayer.

Ohio man indicted for antisemitic attack at D.C. synagogue

Federal grand jury indicts Ohio man for antisemitic attack at Washington D.C. synagogue.

Miami:

Anonymous threat sent to synagogue; congregants evacuated

Congregants at Chabad synagogue in Miami Beach, Florida, were evacuated on Friday night after a congregant discovered an envelope containing a bomb threat.

Firefighters rescue Torah scrolls from Safed synagogue

Fire breaks out at synagogue in the northern city of Safed.

Poland:

Workers find remains of synagogue destroyed by Nazis

Workers unearthed the remains of columns and walls that belonged to the Goldberg Synagogue in Otwock, Poland.

Another synagogue targeted:

Violence at anti-Israel protest outside Queens synagogue

3 weeks after the violent riot outside a Los Angeles synagogue, anti-Israel protesters targeted a synagogue in Kew Garden Hills where an Israeli real estate seminar was being held.

Russia:

Vandals set fire in Obninsk synagogue

Fire set in synagogue's electrical room. The vandals attempted to break the synagogue's windows and door.

Berlin Jewish community:

Preparing to double size of central synagogue

Following significant growth of the Berlin Jewish community, the city's Rabbi decided to double the size of the central synagogue, which was inaugurated nearly 20 years ago.

Chaotic scenes

Anti-Israel protesters surround synagogue in Los Angeles

Violent clashes ensued as anti-Israel protesters surrounded the building and prevented Jews from entering.