Kremenchuk – The public Chanukah Menorah in the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk was toppled last evening (Wednesday) by unidentified individuals.
The city’s rabbi and Chabad emissary, Rabbi Shlomo Salmon, arrived a short while after at the location where the large menorah is usually placed every evening during Chanukah to prepare for the daily lighting, only to be shocked by the toppled menorah.
“It was toppled and damaged,” Rabbi Salmon reported. “The police swiftly initiated an investigation, and in a short time, their investigators managed to apprehend the suspects involved in the act.”
Rabbi Salmon mentioned, “The menorah has been standing in the square for the third consecutive year, spreading the miracle of Chanukah. This year, the municipality approached me and suggested relocating the menorah to the busiest square near the city hall. However, it wasn’t appropriate in the middle of Chanukah, but the proposal itself was very moving for us.”
Following the toppling of the menorah, Rabbi Salmon decided to hold a larger-than-usual public lighting of the eighth Chanukah candle on Thursday. “We will drive away the darkness with light; this is the way taught to us by the Lubavitcher Rebbe.”
