Nikolayev Shul Firebombed at Midnight, Plot Foiled

During Chanukah, shortly after midnight, a suspect approached the shul led by Shliach Rabbi Shalom Gottlieb in Nikolayev, Ukraine, and hurled a Molotov cocktail. The Shuls’ guard quickly noticed the attack and managed to extinguish the flames, preventing significant damage.

A serious anti-Semitic incident occurred in Ukraine. On Monday night, an anonymous individual threw a Molotov cocktail at the city’s central Shul. The suspect fled the scene swiftly but was captured on security cameras, which have been submitted for examination.

There were no injuries in the anti-Semitic incident; however, damage was inflicted on the Shuls’s door. The event took place during the peak of Chanukah, a time when the local Jewish community has been organizing vibrant Chanukah events for the city’s Jewish population throughout the week.

The Shul guard responded quickly and was able to extinguish the fire that broke out following the Molotov cocktail attack within a short period.

Immediately after extinguishing the fire, the guard promptly called the local police. Forces from the local militia and secret police arrived at the scene swiftly.

“Tonight, shortly before midnight, the anonymous individual approached the synagogue’s door,” said the city rabbi and Shliach, Rabbi Shalom Gottlieb. “He looked around all sides, and after noticing that there were no passersby, he threw a Molotov cocktail.”

Rabbi Gottlieb informed the national Chabad hotline JRNU and filed an official complaint with the police. “I have not yet received notification if the suspect has been apprehended, but I have been updated that a manhunt is underway.”

Rabbi Gottlieb also mentioned, “Especially during the peak of Chanukah, we are observing a significant and very severe increase in anti-Semitism on social media, including anti-Semitic expressions and similar actions. Although this has not manifested in the streets, we are taking all precautions and exercising heightened vigilance.”

Meanwhile, secret police officers in Ukraine are securing the city’s public Chanukah menorahs around the clock due to fears of anti-Semitism, in light of past incidents, including in recent years, where menorahs have repeatedly been toppled by anti-Semitic individuals in several Ukrainian cities.

“Despite the war, we received approval to light the public menorahs and provide round-the-clock security,” said Simcha Levenhartz, a Shliach in Kyiv. “The police requested the locations of the public menorahs and informed us that they would be secured around the clock this year.”

“This, of course, strengthens us,” added Rabbi Simcha. “Seeing the dedication and concern of the police, which allows the Jewish community to safely celebrate Chanukah despite the war situation. Every evening, we conduct central lightings led by my father, Rabbi Mordechai, a Shliach in Kyiv. On the fifth night, we held a large event with over three hundred Jews.”