The series of explosions that terrified Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria in eastern Moldova, on Monday caused thousands to flee the region for fear it would be Russia’s next destination, as part of an attempt to take over southern Ukraine.
Transnistria is home to about 5,000 Jews out of a population of about half a million, mainly in Tiraspol. Jewish communities also exist in the cities of Bendri, Dovsari and Rivnitsa.
On days when Chabad emissaries in Moldova routinely work in Transnistria and last Passover, they also held a public Seder night in several cities in the region.
Following the security escalation, representatives of the Jewish communities turned to Rabbi Mendi Axelrod, a Chabad emissary in Kishinev, and asked him to evacuate to Kishinev. According to Rabbi Axelrod, The Jewish Agency and the JDC also operate in these cities. “
Rabbi Zosha Abelski, director general of the Jewish community in Moldova, added: “We have been inundated with inquiries in the last two days. People are sure they are next in line after Ukraine. We are also preparing to accept refugees from Transnistria. We have a large logistics system, with the help of local friends and community members around the world, and I hope that a humanitarian crisis like the one in Ukraine will not break out here. ”