Police in Kansas City, Mo., continue to search for the vandal or vandals responsible for destroying a Chabad center in the city.

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Chabad on the Plaza was vandalized last week with electrical wires damaged, water lines broken, and items torn and strewn everywhere. The ark was found open, though the Torah was still inside. The space was deemed completely unusable.

According to the Kansas City Police Department, on Nov. 30 at around 1:15 AM, a caller reported a prowler around the building. The caller told police that he had seen an "unknown suspicious black SUV parked near the dispatched location and heard glass break in the immediate area." The caller then saw the vehicle leave.

"Upon arrival, we observed a broken glass window on the north side of the building and shattered glass on the ground in the immediate area," said a police spokesperson. They tried to call someone to check the building, but had "negative results" and did not know if anyone had "made entry" into the building.

While conducting a canvass of the area, police observed a black SUV driving in the area and attempted to conduct a "car check," but the SUV sped away. "This is an active investigation, and I do not have any updates at this time," the spokesperson told JNS.

"We have full faith in the local authorities to get to the bottom of this," said Rabbi Yitzchak "Itche" Itkin, director of Chabad on the Plaza. "We have had minor incidents in the past but nothing like this."

After notifying the police, Itkin spread the word about what had happened on social media, writing online: "There is nothing more disturbing than walking into the Chabad House for an early-morning Torah class and finding the place torn up. Papers and books everywhere, electric wires ripped out, plumbing cut with water pouring everywhere. That was my reality this week."

He also posted photos showing the extent of the damage and announced a fundraising campaign to rebuild. Within hours, tens of thousands of dollars had been pledged with the campaign closing on Sunday having raised more than $91,000, almost double the funds needed.

Though there has been no motive identified, the Anti-Defamation League Heartland branch said it was "deeply concerned by the shocking vandalism... the targeting of this house of worship, especially during the festive holiday of Hanukkah, is particularly distributing and inflicts concern and fear in the larger community."

The Jewish Community Relations Bureau/AJC of the greater Kansas City said: "We are aware of the vandalism that occurred at the Chabad on the Plaza this week. They deserve our community's full support as they search for a new space. This appears to have been a burglary; there is no indication that this was an act of anti-Semitism."

As for Chabad on the Plaza, it went ahead with its planned events, including Shabbat services in a temporary space and a large outdoor Hanukkah event on Sunday; all with the encouragement of the greater Kansas City community.

"It is extremely heartwarming to see the outpouring of love from all parts of the community," said Itkin. "It just shows how much good and light there is in the world."

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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Police in Arlington, Mass., responded to two cases of such fires at the home of Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries.

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Rabbi Avi and Luna Bukiet's home also serves as the Chabad Center for Jewish Life of Arlington.

On May 16, there were "light flames burning shingles on one side" of the house, reported local Fox affiliate WFXT, citing officials. A police officer patrolling the area was at the scene within 30 seconds to get rid of the flames by using a handheld extinguisher.

That same evening, there was a suspicious fire at the Chabad Jewish Center in Needham, Mass., which state and federal authorities are also investigating.

Chanie Krinsky posted on Facebook that her husband, Rabbi Mendy Krinsky, who directs the Chabad center with her, "was outside with the fire extinguisher before the smoke alarms even went off."

On May 18, Chabad in Arlington caught fire. Police are trying to identify someone caught on video walking away from the house.

"We smelled a lot of smoke," Bukiet told WFXT. "There was a ton of smoke inside in the basement going up to the first floor."

Firefighters discovered a small fire "burning on the wood shingles of one side of the home. The fire was quickly extinguished and the damage was minor," reported WFXT.

Neither incident caused personal injuries or damage inside the home.

"Two families who shared not only their religious faith but the expectation of feeling safe in their own homes were visited by menacing intentions," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division.

"Although surveillance video has given us a promising start to this investigation, it will be the public's eyes that help us bring justice home to them. So if you recognize the individual in these videos, please contact us immediately."

Anyone with information about the situation or suspect in the surveillance videos can contact the FBI Boston Division at (857) 386-2000. Tips can also be sent online: tips.fbi.gov.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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