Paris Synagogue Committee Reports Suspected Attempted Theft, Disputes Riot Link

Worshippers at Ohalei Yaakov in Paris’s 19th arrondissement found prayer books, tefillin and cupboard contents on the floor at their temporary premises on rue Burnouf on Sunday morning. Committee member Raphaël said the rabbi’s office had also been searched and considered attempted theft likely. The committee told worshippers that nothing had been stolen or vandalized, no forced-entry marks were found, and the Torah scrolls were untouched. Raphaël disputed any connection to riots, saying none had occurred nearby, while not entirely ruling out an antisemitic motive. The congregation is using temporary premises while its usual synagogue undergoes building work.