Pig skulls used to desecrate grave of Rabbi Nachman’s daughter in Ukraine

Pig skulls were used to desecrate the grave of Rabbi Nachman’s daughter, it was reported last week.

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov is one of the key figures in the Hasidic Jewish movement. Both he and his daughter, Sarah, died in the first half of the nineteenth century, however, vandals have continued to target their graves.

Last week, Sarah’s grave in Kremenchuk, Ukraine was defaced with pig skulls as well as pieces of pig. She was buried there 186 years ago, and other family members are buried in the same cemetery.

Members from Breslov Hasidim, the branch of Hasidic Judaism that Rabbi Nachman founded, discovered the vandalism on 2nd August and reported it to the police.

Breslov Hasid and businessman, Rabbi Avraham Chezin, said: “Following this horrific event, I spoke with a senior official from the United Jewish Community of Ukraine, which is directed by the Chabad emissary in the city of Dnieper. He was horrified by the horrible scenes, and immediately began to work on the issue together with the local police authorities. From past experience, every incident like this is immediately handled by them, and successfully.”

He added: “This is not the first pogrom in which antisemites have harmed the grave of Sarah, of blessed memory. I believe that following the inquiry to the organisation, this time a solution will be found and the vandals will be taken to court.”

In 2016, Rabbi Nachman’s grave in Uman, Ukraine was similarly desecrated using a pig’s head and red paint.

In June, a synagogue in Kremenchuk was found with bullet holes after being reportedly shot at.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.