10 hours ago

More Details Emerge After Devastating Fire at the Alter Rebbe’s Ohel in Haditch

As news of the devastating fire that destroyed the Shul and central hospitality complex adjacent to the Alter Rebbe’s Ohel in Haditch, Ukraine, continues to dominate conversation throughout the Chabad world, new images released from the scene reveal the full extent of the destruction • Read More, Photos, Videos

The Rebbe’s Shliach and Rav of Haditch, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Deitsch, shared additional details with ChabadInfo, explaining that the tragedy could have been far worse. A large group of guests from Kyiv had spent Shabbos at the complex as part of one of the many seminars regularly held there throughout the year. In an act of extraordinary mesirus nefesh, the guests managed to rescue all four Sifrei Torah from the Shul moments before it was completely consumed by the flames.

Rabbi Deitsch added, “We are receiving hundreds of phone calls offering encouragement and support from every corner of the world. In the coming days, we will launch an emergency fundraising campaign to rebuild the terrible destruction and construct a new complex. It will require a great deal of time, hard work, and tremendous financial resources, but, Be’ezras Hashem, ‘Greater shall be the glory of this house than the first.’ The complex that was destroyed was large and magnificent, capable of hosting hundreds of guests at once. With Hashem’s help and the support of Anash, the one we rebuild will be even larger.”

Earlier, Rabbi Deitsch described the emotional devastation caused by the fire.

“We are in total shock. The entire central building of the Ohel, into which we poured our hearts, souls, and our entire lives, has been consumed by fire. The damage is simply beyond comprehension—it is incredibly painful. But Chassidim are not deterred by anything, and certainly as the Rebbe’s Shliach responsible for this holy site, I cannot give up. With Hashem’s help, we will find the strength to rebuild everything. It will take time and money, whatever is required, and we will make it even greater and more beautiful than before. I am confident that Anash around the world will rally to this effort. Above all, we thank the Aibershter that no one was physically harmed.”

Rabbi Meir Stambler, Chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU), who played a major role in the development of the Haditch complex over the years, said the organization is awaiting the final findings of the official investigation while remaining in close contact with the authorities.

“At the same time,” he said, “we are preparing to provide replacement seforim and tashmishei kedushah, and we are confident that the Jewish community in Ukraine and around the world will help restore this tremendous loss. I thank the fire services, the Mayor of Haditch, and the regional governor for their dedicated efforts in battling the blaze, closely monitoring the situation, and assisting in the recovery and rebuilding process.”