The only synagogue on the Greek island of Crete was set ablaze, before being saved by firefighters. During the night of January 5, 2010, unknown arsonists firebombed the historic Etz Chaim Synagogue.
In addition, a bar of soap was thrown at the wall of the synagogue in order to send an anti-Jewish message. "I'll make you into a bar of soap" is a common Greek anti-Semitic saying.
The synagogue is the only one on the Island of Crete. Built in the fifteenth century, it is home to around 1600 books. In addition to being a house of worship, the synagouge serves as a museum and a memorial to the town's once vibrant Jewish community. The synagogue's collection includes valuable books in various languages on Byzantine, Ottoman and Jewish art and architecture.
The synagogue suffered significant smoke and water damage, but the Torah scrolls remained intact.
Prior to World War II, Hania was home to about 300 Jews. In 1944, the entire community was deported by the Nazis and died when the ship sunk.
The Greek Jewish community immediacy denounced the attack and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. Two major Greek American groups, the World Council of Hellenes Abroad and the Pan-Cretan Association of America, were quick to renounce the incident and voiced their support in fighting anti-Semitism in Greece.
The Greek Jewish community immediacy denounced the attack and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. Two major Greek American groups, the World Council of Hellenes Abroad and the Pan-Cretan Association of America, were quick to renounce the incident and voiced their support in fighting anti-Semitism in Greece.
