By COLlive reporter
A device believed to be a pipe bomb exploded about at 6:45 AM PDT Thursday in the parking lot of the Chabad House of S. Monica in California.
Multiple sources familiar with the investigation said the device exploded just north of the Jewish center located on 17th Street and Broadway, the Los Angeles Times reported.
No details were available regarding injuries or damage.
Police evacuated a four-block area and were investigating the possibility of a hate crime.
Authorities were trying to determine whether Chabad of Simcha Monica was the specific target, reported Andrew Blankstein.
The FBI, Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad and Santa Monica Police were all on scene.
Chabad in Simcha Monica, founded by Rabbi Avrohom Levitansky OBM, is today run by his wife Mrs. Chaya Devorah Levitansky and her son Rabbi Isaac Levitansky and his wife Sara.
In addition to their shul, Hebrew school, Mikvah and other services, they have a camp directed by Rabbi Shlomo Menkes, the popular contestant on Season Two of “A Jewish Star” singing competition.
UPDATE 1:39 PM (10:39 AM PDT):
Rabbi Menkes told COLlive.com he was in the building, davening Shachris with the minyan when fire fighters came and asked people present to evacuate.
“They were very calm,” he says. “It seems like something from the roof exploded and a piece flew off the roof into a backyard of a neighbor.”
“We don’t think it was a bomb of any sort. Police are here and called the bomb squad just for precaution.”
UPDATE 1:55 PM (10:55 AM PDT):
Rabbi Chaim Nachum Cunin, CEO of Chabad of California, told COLlive.com:
“We are not releasing any statement because there is nothing to be said at this point.
“Our activities proceed as normal, contrary to rumors and reports. Thank G-d the community is fine and we thank everyone for their support and interest.”
UPDATE 2:06 PM (11:06 AM PDT):
Shlucha Mrs. Sara Levitansky told COLlive.com: “Everything is fine. My husband is right now speaking with police about the investigation.”
She added that their Pesach activities continue as planned, which include giving out some 500 lbs of Matzah to members of the local Jewish community and leading a public Pesach Seder at the Chabad House.
UPDATE 2:47 PM (11:47 AM PDT):
The S. Monica Police Department has just contacted Chabad of California to confirm that the Chabad House was not targeted in any way or manner in this morning’s incident.
COLlive was told that the police have officially labeled the incident to be a “Construction Accident” caused by hazardous construction materials left in the alley near the Chabad House. (The construction material was a powder that is normally used to break concrete and when mixed with water causes a combustion.)
Head Shliach of the West Coast, Rabbi Shlomo Cunin said in a statement:
“This morning at approximately 8:30 a.m. we received a call from the S. Monica Police Dept. who stated that there may have been a leak or minor incident of some kind near the Chabad House in S. Monica, and that as a precaution, the Chabad House was to be evacuated and the surrounding area sealed off.
“At 11:00 a.m. this morning we were informed by the Police that the cause of the evacuation was in fact some hazardous waste that was illegally dumped, and subsequently caused a minor incident in a nearby alley.
“The Chabad House is not suspected at this time to have been targeted in any way or manner.
“We thank the Police for their security and diligence and are deeply grateful to the thousands of calls and emails from the community, who has been calling us with their concern and support.”
G-d wanted to advertise pesach for chabad. He thought this would make it to the news for sure!
goooo rabbi minkes
this is clearly a sign from hashem that moshiach is on its way and possibly here, we just have to open our eyes.
moshiach now!!!!!!!
read on top
did enyone get hurt?????????????????????
Agree with #22
yes ppl do care about simcha monica bc its one of the most amazing chabad houses in the world!!!!!!!!!
Come to Simcha Monica and have a BLAST!!!
I love how ppl always jump to conclusions and think the world is out to get us.
No one cares about a little chabad house in Santa Monica, and when there’s a little bang ppl go crazy and start blaming Obama and hamas
according to what Rabbi baitelman chabad of porter ranch there were no injured people
Thank G-D
I want to hear what joke menkes has to sayabout it.
it was a 300 pound thing
zev meir everything is alright and barak hashem from sm
it wasnt a bomb….it was a constuction mishap
read on top
“In other words: It’s a non-story and should be taken down.” You’re saying that bediavad, but lechatechilah, when someting like that happen, we should worry and investigate. B’H it was nothing.
Now the nes said its a utility explosion and the evacuation was called off. BH Wish them all the best
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/04/07/pipe-bomb-explodes-at-synagogue-in-santa-monica/
Simcha Monica police are now saying that the explosion was due to a mechanical failure and not an incendiery device (bomb).
In other words: It’s a non-story and should be taken down.
MOshiach Now!
Enough Ad Mosai, Lets just STRENGTHEN our Avoidas H’!
Message for our generation
NO Gaiva. Get rid of it, and if it comes in a talent, control it well.
Presistance overrules resistance, instead of complaining, perform “lo HaMidrash Hu HaIkkar, Ela HaMa’aseh” LEARN heavily, Kdei Lekayem es Halimmudim
—Be Kiddushei H’ with Legs, and know HOW to Mekarev, like this we WILL Bezras H’ bring Moshiach BBA!!
🙂
and be happy
IS ANYONE HURT!!!!!!?????????
http://www.fox13now.com/news/nationworld/ktla-synagogue-explosion,0,2664547.story
It wasn’t in the Chabad House – they were davening and didn’t even know it exploded outside. BH
they’re saying it was in the actual chabad house
fox news is now reporting the explosion came from INSIDE
Now we get pipe bombs in America? how long until the copycats start doing repeating this ‘feat’
And how long until we scream Ad Mosai because WE MEAN IT (not because we’re told to)??