An unidentified man hurled a Molotov cocktail at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, NJ on January 29.
The attempted arson occurred at around 3 a.m. EST; little damage was done to the building, as the synagogue installed shatterproof glass on its doors. Surveillance footage showed the suspect wearing a ski mask and a skull and crossbones shirt.
New Jersey Synagogue arson attempt – at approx. 3 a.m. this morning, a man wearing a ski mask ignited and threw a Molotov cocktail at the front door of Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, NJ.
Thankfully the device did not work and minimal damage was caused. pic.twitter.com/cB89iUGleH
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) January 29, 2023
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, visited the synagogue on January 31 and told reporters that the attempted arson was “absolutely despicable.” “Unfortunately the amount of antisemitic actions in New Jersey is almost exploding,” he said.
“There is hate everywhere, and hate wins when we let it penetrate,” Marc Katz, the rabbi of the synagogue, told CNN. “When the weight of this grows too heavy, I remind my congregation that every day, despite what is happening, in Jewish communities around the world, babies are named, children are educated, people are married. Our religious traditions continue. No act of hate can stop the power of religious freedom.”
Anti-Defamation League New York / New Jersey said in a joint statement with American Jewish Committee New Jersey, Community Security Service, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest New Jersey and Community Security Initiative that the attempted arson “took place on the heels of International Holocaust Remembrance Day when we are reminded of where such horrific actions can lead.” They urged “our leaders to and community partners to speak out against this outrageous act and ask that all communities remain vigilant.”
We are outraged to learn of last night’s attempted arson at A Greater MetroWest, New Jersey synagogue. Read our joint statement below from @ADL_NYNJ, @jfnnj, @AJCglobal, @JewishGMW, @TheCSSorg, and CSI. pic.twitter.com/dhCjlFrfiw
— ADL New York / New Jersey (@ADL_NYNJ) January 29, 2023
The sheriff’s office is offering a $10,000 maximum reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator, per CBS News.
