Two hundred years after it was built, one of Europe’s most iconic synagogues - which went through nine years of detailed and delicate restoration - was set on fire in an antisemitic attack. According to the initial investigation at the scene, the motive behind the attack was antisemitic. Police are exploring other avenues, including the possibility that the arsonist may have been set up, since he threw his phone into the flames to eliminate evidence. The suspect was arrested and is being held in custody until trial. Locals say he was a former boxer who served as an officer in the army.
Moshe Kreiz, a Jewish resident who lives near the synagogue, said today that the motives were undoubtedly antisemitic: “The antisemitic arsonist tried to burn down our ancient and magnificent synagogue. He didn’t steal anything; he could easily have taken the charity box that was full of money, but just threw it down. He wasn’t interested in stealing; he only wanted to hurt us, the Jews in this place, and destroy our legacy. He came to carry out a pogrom, bringing out memories of Kristallnacht."
"Everything within the synagogue is fire-damaged. We will have to rebuild the synagogue internally from the ground up. He smashed windows and damaged the upper floors. He caused electric cabling to melt and left the building in a state of total disrepair, like a broken heart. The murals on the walls and ceilings, which were professionally restored by specialists, are ruined, along with the delicate mouldings that were specifically cast for this synagogue to emulate what was in its time of splendour and glory. The second floor and the guest house, which housed over 2,500 refugees during the war, also need to be rebuilt from nothing."
An emergency delegation of Hasidim, led by the Sadigura Rebbe, Rabbi Mordechai Shalom Yosef Friedman - under whose leadership the synagogue has operated and who had also overseen its renovation - arrived in Sadigura to witness the atrocities firsthand. They collected the burned holy books and ashes, saying, “These are scenes reminiscent of the Holocaust.”
After many painful hours gathering the burnt remnants of this fire, a special prayer, along with words of grief and sorrow, were led by the Sadigura Rebbe, who is a great-grandson and direct descendant of the founders of this synagogue and under whose leadership and guidance the renovation had initially taken place just a number of years ago. The mournful procession proceeded by foot through the town, followed by the Jewish community members of Sadigura and the surrounding neighbourhoods of the Chernivtsi province, accompanied by Rabbi Mendel Glitsenstein of Chernivtsi, to the famous old cemetery in Sadigura where the tomb of the Holy Ruzhiner rests along with his family. The books were buried, in accordance with the Jewish custom of disposing of damaged holy books exclusively by respectful burial.
The synagogue, known as the Kloyz Kaddisha and belonging to the Sadigura Hasidic dynasty, has been active since the 18th century. Many members of the community throughout the generations prayed and studied there. It became one of the most significant spiritual centers of Eastern European Jewry. Generations of Hassidic leaders from the dynasty served there, and this building was designed by none other than the founder, Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin.
The Jewish community has publicly stated its resilience and determination to restore the historic building. Community members and leaders expressed hope that the synagogue “will be repaired and will continue to stand as a beacon of Torah, prayer, and Hasidic heritage.”
The synagogue was built with great effort and underwent several renovations over the years. In recent years, millions of dollars were spent on its restoration by the generosity of the Rohr family of NY. This synagogue survived World War I. During World War II, the building housed a camp of the Austrian army, and Red Cross flags were placed on its roof, preventing it from being bombed by enemy aircraft. This synagogue was considered one of the most magnificent in Europe to remain standing after the Holocaust. The Jewish community has publicly stated its resilience and determination to restore the historic building. Community members and leaders expressed hope that the synagogue “will be repaired and will continue to stand as a beacon of Torah, prayer, and Hasidic heritage.”