Silver ritual items stolen in sophisticated overnight break-in at Bnei Brak synagogue

A sophisticated burglary hit the Tchernobyl Hasidic court in Bnei Brak, where masked thieves broke into the main study hall on Hahavakuk Street late Tuesday night into Wednesday and stole valuable silver ritual objects from the rebbe’s private room. The items, used during weekly tish gatherings, are said to be worth tens of thousands of shekels.

Police believe the suspects were not amateurs. Security footage shows them using advanced methods and special equipment to avoid leaving fingerprints or other traces. According to the initial investigation, the crew appeared to know the building layout and went directly to the rebbe’s room, near the large tish hall, where the silver safe is located. They took only silver items and ignored everything else.

Investigators are now examining whether the robbery was preceded by surveillance on Shabbat. Hasidim reported seeing a group of strangers moving suspiciously inside the building last Saturday, when the rebbe was not in Bnei Brak but in Jerusalem’s Old City for a Shabbat event with supporters and donors of the Tchernobyl institutions.

Police suspect the gang used the rebbe’s absence and the quieter building to map security systems and prepare for the theft. On Wednesday, police and forensic teams arrived at the synagogue to collect evidence, take statements and study possible escape routes in hopes of identifying the thieves quickly.