‘In total shock, the damage is unimaginable’: The severe fire at the Chabad-Lubavitch compound in Ukraine
A massive fire broke out at the compound of the grave of the Baal HaTanya in Haditch, Ukraine, causing extensive destruction. Miraculously, there were no casualties; guests rescued four Torah scrolls from the synagogue moments before it was consumed by flames. Rabbi Shneur Zalman Deitsch announced an emergency fundraising campaign for restoration and construction of a larger compound.
A massive fire caused extensive destruction at the compound of the grave of the Baal HaTanya, Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, in the city of Haditch, Ukraine. Miraculously, there were no casualties: a group of guests from Kyiv who were staying there for Shabbat selflessly rescued four Torah scrolls from the synagogue moments before it was consumed by flames. The city's rabbi and overseer of the compound, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Deitsch, described the shock and damage as 'unimaginable' and announced an emergency fundraising campaign for the restoration of the ruins and the construction of a new, larger compound. The chairman of the Jewish communities in Ukraine, Rabbi Meir Stambler, stated that the federation is awaiting the results of the investigation and is preparing to assist with replacement holy books. The article quotes Rabbi Deitsch at length, using emotional and charged language, but does not include independent analysis or additional sources.