Major fire destroys synagogue in Hadiach

A fire destroyed the synagogue near the grave of Rabbi Shneur Zalman in Hadiach. Photo: COLlive

A massive fire in Hadiach destroyed the main building of a pilgrimage center and the synagogue near the grave of Rabbi Shneur Zalman. The blaze almost completely gutted the building, causing several million dollars in damage, COLlive reports.

The fire broke out late on Friday evening, July 24. The flames quickly spread through the main synagogue, the mikveh, guest rooms, and dining halls. No one at the center was injured, while staff members and guests managed to rescue several Torah scrolls from the fire.

Rabbi Shneur Deitch described the destruction of the building, into which the community had poured its heart and soul, as a major tragedy.

“We are in complete shock. The entire central building of the holy site, into which we poured our heart, soul, and our entire lives, has been reduced to ashes. The damage is simply beyond comprehension—it is deeply painful. But Chassidim are never deterred by challenges, and certainly not as the Rebbe’s emissary responsible for this sacred place. With G-d’s help, we will find the strength to rebuild everything,” he said.

Rescuers say the likely cause of the fire was a short circuit in the electrical system, although investigators are continuing to examine all the circumstances of the incident. The Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine said it was already preparing replacements for the sacred books and ritual items destroyed in the fire.

Despite the extensive damage, the community plans to restore the site and make it even more magnificent.

As previously reported by the UOJ, a court in Kryvyi Rih sentenced a teenager who set fire to a synagogue.

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