Vandals Target Shul In Obninsk, Russia, In Second Attack

By FrumNews

The Jewish community in Obninsk, a city 100 kilometers southwest of Moscow, Russia, was shaken this week after vandals attempted to set fire to the local Shul. The attack, which targeted the Shul’s buildings exterior and entrance, causing damage but thankfully resulted in no injuries.

B’Chasdei Hashem, the fire was quickly contained, and repairs are in progress, allowing the Shul to proceed with davening on Friday night as scheduled.

Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, aiming to bring the vandals to justice. Jewish organizations have condemned the attack as a deliberate act of vandalism and highlighted the need for heightened security measures to protect religious sites across the country.

This is the second attack on the Shul, last year arsonists set fire to the Shul building causing significant damage. Local police arrested two suspects in connection with that incident.

In 2024 there was an attack on the historic Shul in Derbent during a large-scale terror attack in Russia’s southern republic of Dagestan. The terror attack in Dagestan left 15 dead, injuring many others, and left the Derbent Synagogue, also known as Kele-Numaz, in ruins, r”l.

Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, expressed deep concern over that incident. In his statement, he drew parallels between this attack and the terrorist attacks in Dagestan, underscoring a broader pattern of violence against religious sites. “Whoever is behind this latest attempt at terrorism, it is evident that it is in the same context as the arson attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent,” Rabbi Lazar said. He emphasized the importance of a firm response to such extremist acts and called for global unity in upholding sacred values.

“The leaders of our country, Baruch Hashem, take a principled stance on this issue, demanding a tough response to each extremist attack. I sincerely hope that the law enforcement agencies will quickly find and appropriately punish both the perpetrators and the organizers of the attack in Obninsk,” he added.

The small Jewish community in Obninsk, known as Russia’s Atomic City due to its scientific research institutions, is resilient in the face of this adversity. The swift response by local authorities and community members prevented further damage, but the psychological impact on the community remains significant.

As Rabbi Lazar concluded, “We will pray for humanity to finally return to eternal values and for a respectful attitude towards sacred things to prevail everywhere.”