Pig’s Head Dumped at Ukraine Chabad Synagogue
A pig’s head was left on the doorstep of a synagogue being built in Sevastopol, the Ukrainian city’s Jewish community said.
Amid intensifying opposition to the synagogue’s construction, the news site zarusskiy.org reported Wednesday that the head was discovered Monday by members of the Jewish community.
The Chabad movement began building last year in the southern Ukrainian coastal city; the synagogue is planned to open next year.
Chabad’s emissary to Sevastopol, Rabbi Binyomin Wolff, was not available for comment on the incident.
Some critics of the building say the construction area was a mass grave for non-Jewish Ukrainian prisoners killed by fascists during World War II.
On Oct. 30, several dozen residents of Sevastopol demonstrated in front of the building. One of the rally’s organizers, Vladimir Tyunin, was quoted as telling the news site 15minut.org that Chabad was a “hateful, Zionist sect.” He added: “We are not against other religions, but we support those religions that are traditional.”
Boris Nesterenko, a spokesman for the Sevastopol Jewish community, told 15minut that the building will have three stories and a capacity of 400 worshipers.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
