According to a report (including video) on Moldovan TV, fire — possibly due to arson — has damaged what had been the already gaping ruins of an early 20th century synagogue, located on Rabbi Tirelson street. The fire was doused within half an hour and the extent of the damage was not clear.
The media quote neighbors as saying the ruined synagogue – which despite its condition was listed as a local historic monument — had been bought recently by a group of Jews who wanted to rebuilt it.
Claude Cahn, who works for the UN in Chisinau and lives near the synagogue went to take a look the next day. He reports: “There was a small fire in the only part of the synagogue which is accessible to the street. You climb up a sandpile and can get in the ‘room’ such as it was, via the window. The “floor” area (i.e. bare ground) is blackened. The fire might have been set, or it might have been someone burning the profuse piles of garbage in the building. If it was arson, it was very unserious: the closest flammable part of the structure is about 10 metres up; had anyone wanted to do damage, they would have used a lot more gasoline.”
1 comment on “Moldova — Fire damages ruins of Chisinau synagogue listed as historic monument”
I desperately pray that this fire will not stop the eventual restoration of this magnificent synagogue in Chisinau and that it will not only become once again an irreplacable part of Moldovan Jewish heritage but a treasure loved by all Moldovans no matter what faith they are.
May G-d bless you all in Moldova.