MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Authorities are investigating a fire at a Miami Beach synagogue where members said the torah was missing. The fire gutted Congregants of The Chabad Shul at Pine Tree Road and 24th Street at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. The devastation coincided with Passover, a holiday commemorating the Jews' liberation from slavery.
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No one was inside the temple at the time of the fire. No one was injured.
Miami Beach Fire Rescue spokesman Javier Otero said one window was partially broken when firefighters arrived at the scene early Tuesday morning. He could not say if this was an act of vandalism or an accident.
"Everything was burnt. There's nothing left," said Rabbi Zev Katz. "All our prayer shawls, all our prayer books, our tables."
One member of the congregation said he found scroll sticks that hold up the torah outside the synagogue. Roger Abramson said the torah was missing, and that the fire completely destroyed the inside of the synagogue.
"We suspect that someone stole the Torah, the most precious item in our synagogue, and then burnt the entire synagogue down," Katz said.
Miami Beach fire officials are investigating the possible arson, although there were no signs of forced entry at the building.
"I can't imagine who would do something like this, somebody who has no respect for religion, especially Judaism. It's definitely hate," said former synagogue member Chaim Weinberger.
Even Mayor Matti Herrera Bower said he was convinced the fire was motivated by hate.
"Of course we think of a hate act," Bower said.
Despite the circumstances, Katz vowed to continue with a Friday night service this week, even if it means worshiping on the lawn.
"We ask the whole Jewish community to come out and support us on Friday night so we can keep on going, with our synagogue. It's just very devastating right now," Katz said.
Police and fire investigators are trying to determine if the fire was started by arson. If so, the Miami Beach Police Department will determine if it was a hate crime.
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