Synagogue

Synagogue Saga:

Crushing defeat for Tel Aviv Municipality

Court dismisses Tel Aviv Municipality's lawsuit seeking to evict the 100-year-old Gvurot Yisrael synagogue, sharply criticizing the local authority over its handling of the case.

Toronto:

Iran paid suspects to shoot at synagogues and document attacks

International, sophisticated network recruits local youths using encrypted messages in order to carry out shooting attacks against Jewish institutions and the US consulate.

Revivim:

The Sacred and the Secular in the Synagogue

A synagogue is a holy place, and one must conduct oneself within it with reverence • It is designated for sacred matters, for prayer and Torah • Whoever uses it for secular purposes, or behaves within it in a secular manner, disgraces its sanctity.

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu:

Time for a synagogue on the Temple Mount

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu urges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, government ministers, to advance establishment of a synagogue on the Temple Mount. 'The time has come.'

Haredi rabbi issues unusual ruling

Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein, leading Lithuanian-haredi rabbi, slams worshipers who arrive at synagogue by car.

London:

Counter-terror police investigate suspected arson at synagogue

A suspected arson attack on a former east London synagogue has sparked a counter-terror probe, amid growing concerns over a series of incidents targeting Jewish communities across the city.

'Kill as many Jews as possible'

18-year-old arrested over plot to attack Houston synagogue

18-year-old held on $10M bond after alleged plot to attack a Reform synagogue in Houston and “kill as many Jews as possible".

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.

ISIS inciting synagogue arsons

ISIS calls for arson attacks on synagogues worldwide in revenge for 'closure' of Al-Aqsa mosque.

NYC Council passes bill to protect synagogues from protesters

New York City Council passes legislation creating protective perimeters around houses of worship and schools to combat antisemitism and ensure safe access during protests.

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.

Chikli urges Canadian PM to act after shootings at synagogues

Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli sent an urgent letter this week to the Prime Minister of Canada following spate of antisemitic violence.

Canada allocates $10M to boost security at Jewish institutions

Canada will allocate $10 million to help Jewish institutions strengthen security after gunfire struck three Toronto-area synagogues.

Explosion near Belgium synagogue

Police close street, open investigation, after explosion occurs near synagogue in Liège, Belgium.

Smotrich to bereaved father: 'We'll rebuild destroyed synagogue'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich promises to order quick response to damage at site of Beit Shemesh missile strike, with goal of rebuilding synagogue as soon as possible.

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.

Anti-Zionist graffiti scrawled on synagogue destroyed wildfire

Rubble of Pasadena synagogue destroyed in wildfire is vandalized with anti-Zionist graffiti.

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.

Rome:

Memorial for 1982 terror attack victim vandalized

Rome synagogue memorial for 2-year-old killed in 1982 Palestinian terror attack vandalized.

California man charged after synagogue bomb threats

Elijah King, 36, arraigned on federal charges after threatening to bomb synagogues near San Luis Obispo. DOJ says he posted antisemitic rhetoric and faces up to 15 years in prison.

'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.”

Incitement and arson in the heart of Jerusalem

Clal building, synagogue, set aflame in central Jerusalem; police arrest suspect.

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.'

NYC:

Synagogue rebuffs rumors of Mamdani joining Yom Kippur services

Manhattan synagogue says it won’t host Mamdani on Yom Kippur, following mayoral candidate’s Rosh Hashanah service in Brooklyn.

In Damascus synagogue:

Jewish scholar views 1,700-year-old Dura Europos paintings

After years of war, world’s oldest synagogue paintings are revealed as intact in Damascus, Syria.

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.

Amid election concerns:

Brooklyn synagogue links High Holiday seats to voter registration

Ahead of mayoral election, Brooklyn synagogue demands voter registration to attend High Holiday services.

Watch

Spike found hidden in chumash at prison synagogue

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

US Jewish groups urge synagogues: Apply for security grants

Major Jewish groups urge synagogues to seek federal security grants despite Trump’s terms.

Ancient Chile synagogue vandalized

Three masked suspects vandalize Santiago, Chile, synagogue as worshipers attend prayers.

Huldai responds: 'We never threatened synagogues, it's all lies'

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai dismisses accusations that the municipality threatened Orthodox synagogues over a disputed contract clause, says clause was amended in coordination with synagogue officials.

Tel Aviv Deputy Mayor:

'Media uproar over synagogue contracts 'a storm in a teacup'

Deputy Mayor Haim Goren says controversial clauses in synagogue contracts were removed long ago, stresses city has no agenda against synagogues.

Secular coercion:

Tel Aviv pushes new contracts on synagogues, sparking uproar

Tel Aviv Municipality requires some 130 synagogues to sign contracts obligating them to provide services 'to all residents regardless of belief,' which synagogue leaders are calling 'secular coercion in the name of equality.'

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."

Holon:

Torah scrolls rescued from synagogue hit in missile strike

Synagogue at impact site in Holon sustains damage due to missile strike, bystanders help the caretaker remove the Torah scrolls to a safe location. Watch.

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.

Herzog condemns Paris vandalism:

'My great-grandfather’s synagogue was attacked'

President Isaac Herzog expresses shock after Jewish institutions in Paris were vandalized over Shabbat, urges French authorities to act swiftly and protect the community.

Paris: Four Jewish sites vandalized in a single night

Four Jewish institutions in Paris defaced overnight with green paint, including two synagogues and a Holocaust memorial.

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.