Credit: Dumskaya.net
A Russian drone strike hit the center of Odessa in the early hours of Monday, sparking a fire that severely damaged a historic synagogue. The attack came just hours after the end of Tisha Be'Av, a sacred day in the Jewish calendar commemorating the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem.
While no casualties were reported, the symbolic impact of the attack was profound. The synagogue, no longer in regular use, was considered a landmark of Jewish heritage in the city, housing ancient Torah scrolls and holy books.
Credit: Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman on Facebook
Odessa’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Shlomo Bakst, expressed deep sorrow: “Although it hasn’t been in regular use in recent years, it stood for generations as a house of prayer, memory and sanctity, housing ancient scrolls and holy books. Its destruction is a wound to our community and our heritage".
