The Jewish community in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, is facing escalating antisemitism after Molotov cocktails were thrown at their central synagogue following Passover celebrations, just one week after vandals defaced a community vehicle bearing Jewish symbols.
The Jewish community in Kryvyi Rih is experiencing a disturbing wave of antisemitic incidents, as a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the city’s central synagogue at the conclusion of Passover, just one week after a community vehicle was vandalized.
The first incident occurred early last week when a vehicle belonging to the community, bearing Jewish symbols, was severely vandalized. The vehicle’s tires were punctured, community emblems were defaced, and paint was poured over the body of the car. “This was an act aimed at harming us as a Jewish community,” Rabbi Liron Edri, the city’s rabbi and Chabad emissary, said.
On the evening after Passover, the more serious incident occurred. Molotov cocktails were thrown at the synagogue, and Rabbi Edri was alerted by the CWA security center (Chabad’s worldwide security center) in Ukraine. “Thanks to the window reinforcement installed in recent months, a large fire was prevented,” Rabbi Edri said. The protection, which includes special shielding along with cameras and alarm systems installed by CWA, prevented the bottles from penetrating inside and causing significant damage.
Rabbi Edri noted that the pattern of operation was similar to an antisemitic incident that recently occurred in the city of Mykolaiv, where Molotov cocktails were thrown at a synagogue. “We fear this is a planned trend against Jewish communities,” he added.
Local security authorities have opened an investigation, and the community is awaiting updates. These incidents join a wave of antisemitic events in Ukraine, against the backdrop of the ongoing war and the intensification of antisemitic discourse in Eastern Europe.
Elia Goldberg, CWA security officer, emphasized the importance of early preparation, “The protection and security we installed, with the assistance of the Jewish Agency’s Security Fund, saved the synagogue. We continue to work with the community to ensure its security.”
Despite the threat, the Chabad community in Kryvyi Rih continues to maintain its activities. “We will not let fear stop us,” Rabbi Edri said. “Light will dispel darkness, and I thank the police and government who immediately came to the synagogue and promised to conduct an investigation and arrest the perpetrators,” he said.
