Ein Gedi Botanic Garden

Ein Gedi Botanic Garden
Seek the serenity of a Judean Desert sky in Autumn at the Ein Gedi Botanic Garden

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Death Threat Sent to Chabad Lubavitch Emissary in Arad

Released for publication: The family of Chabad emissary Rabbi Yaakov Mendelzohn received a death threat from an unidentified assailant in their mail box last Wednesday, November 2.

The carefully lettered page was “decorated” with heavy dark Hebrew words that appeared to be dripping with blood.

BEWARE OF YOUR LIVES!” the letter proclaimed. “If Yaakov does not step down from the edifice upon which he has risen, Chen 19, WE WILL TAKE HIM DOWN.

With thanks,
The S.O.S. Society”

The letter also bore an elegantly-drawn likeness of a Chassidic man, and at the bottom, a large black revolver. The letters “S.O.S.” were written three times across the top of the page as well. Chen 19 is the address of the city's Ashkenazi Central Synagogue, where the rabbi serves as spiritual leader.

Rabbi Mendelzohn's wife Chanie immediately notified Arad police. Her husband, who was in New York at the time attending the Chabad Lubavitch International Conference of Shluchim, spoke with police upon his return to Israel this week.

An investigation is under way.