Kansas Chabad Center Wrecked By Vandals, Emissary Promises ‘We Will Emerge Stronger Than Before’

NEW YORK (VINnews) — The Chabad center in Kansas, Chabad On the Plaza, was vandalized last week by unknown elements. Kansas City police are investigating the vandalism at the Jewish community and educational center, located on the city’s upscale Country Club Plaza.

Chabad emissary Rabbi Yitzchak Itkin said that the vandals who wrecked the center on Tuesday morning threw papers and books around, tore out electric wires and cut the plumbing, causing water damage throughout the building.

“There is nothing more disturbing than walking into the Chabad house for an early morning Torah class and finding the place torn up,” the rabbi said on Facebook. “That was my reality this week.”

The Sefer Torah and other important religious texts were not damaged in the vandalism, which occurred in the midst of the Chanukah holiday.

Kansas City police said officers responded to the scene early Tuesday after a report of someone hearing glass break and seeing a black SUV drive away from the center. Police later encountered a black SUV fitting the description of the suspect vehicle, but it left at a high speed, and police were unable to catch up with it.

Itkin said the center has begun a fundraising campaign to repair the damage and is seeking a temporary home for the organization. The fundraiser was successful, surpassing the goal of raising $54,000 within 54 hours and raising $80,046 by Friday afternoon.

The rabbi likened the vandalism to a familiar story from Judaism’s past.

“This was the reality of the Jews when they entered the Temple during the story of Chanukah. They found a Temple destroyed and defiled and instead of sulking they went right to work to find the jug of oil. They found the jug of oil and lit the menorah and the rest is history. WE are going to find the oil and rekindle our Menorah,” Itkin said. “As a community, we will emerge stronger than before, with the knowledge that during a time of crisis, we came together. We prayed together, learned together, laughed together, baked together, cried together, and we were inspired together. As a community we grow together. This campaign is an opportunity for us to give, together. Chabad on the Plaza, we are better together.”