We are heartbroken and outraged by the tragic murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a 28-year-old Chabad emissary whose body was discovered yesterday in the United Arab Emirates. We urge the UAE authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. This appalling act of violence is a painful reminder of the alarming rise in global antisemitism targeting visibly Jewish individuals.

This tragedy follows another recent act of hate in Amsterdam, where Israeli soccer fans were brutally attacked for visibly expressing their Jewish and Israeli identities. These incidents reflect a disturbing pattern of targeted violence that must be confronted and eradicated.

Chabad emissaries like Rabbi Kogan serve as beacons of Jewish life in remote communities, dedicating themselves to fostering connection, providing spiritual support, and spreading joy. Rabbi Kogan’s presence in the UAE was part of a broader initiative to nurture Jewish life in the region following the Abraham Accords—historic agreements that laid the groundwork for peace, cooperation, and mutual respect between Arab nations and Israel.

Hateful acts like these seek to undermine the progress made in Arab-Jewish relations, threatening efforts to build bridges of understanding and coexistence. We must not let violence and intolerance derail the critical work of fostering peace and unity.

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia condemns this heinous act of terror and antisemitism in the strongest possible terms. We are committed to honoring Rabbi Kogan’s memory by intensifying our efforts to combat hate in all its forms, foster understanding and promote safety for all communities.

We call on our allies and partners to stand with the Jewish community and unequivocally denounce antisemitism in all its forms. Together, we can create a world where such tragedies are no longer a reality.

About the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

Since 1901, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has served as the hub of the region’s Jewish communities, providing an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Through grants, emergency funding, restricted gifts, endowments, and our partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools, we annually invest in caring for those in need, combating antisemitism and global crisis, and securing a vibrant Jewish future. For more information, please visit: jewishphilly.org