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JustAnotherGen

(36,722 posts)
Fri Aug 8, 2025, 05:09 PM Aug 8

NJ temple that survived terror bombing is destroyed by fire

Synagogue Burns Down In 4-Alarm Fire In Bergen County: Photos
A rabbi and family were living at the Bergen County synagogue at the time of the blaze early Friday morning.
https://patch.com/new-jersey/fairlawn-saddlebrook/northern-new-jersey-synagogue-burns-down-4-alarm-fire
Firefighters headed to Congregation Beth El, in the Bergen County borough of Rutherford, around 2:45 a.m., said the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.

Rabbi Yitzchok Lerman and his family were able to make it out of the burning building safely, said local officials.

Spirit of life - protect this community.

"This morning, Rutherford woke up to the terrible news that Congregation Beth-El’s Synagogue was lost in a devastating overnight fire," said Mayor Frank Nunziato. "I’m grateful to be able to report that its residents fled to safety and despite the severity of the fire, there were no injuries or loss of life."


Not the community's first rodeo:
In 2012, the synagogue, located at 185 Montross Ave., was firebombed, as was a temple in Paramus. A 19-year-old Lodi man was eventually charged in the incidents and held on $5 million bail, reported the New York Times. He was ultimately sentenced to 35 years in prison and recently lost an appeal.


The bombings (1 of several targets) I remember vividly.

And because of those bombings - until the Investigation proves different -

I'd bet they were deliberately targeted - again.
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NJ temple that survived terror bombing is destroyed by fire (Original Post) JustAnotherGen Aug 8 OP
Has there been any further developments? Behind the Aegis Aug 10 #1
Found to be unintentional JustAnotherGen Aug 10 #2

Behind the Aegis

(55,608 posts)
1. Has there been any further developments?
Sun Aug 10, 2025, 04:37 PM
Aug 10

Since this is your neck of the woods, and you are ally, a real one, I was hoping maybe you had info on the ground not in the know yet.

If not, no worries!

ETA:


Rabbi Yitzchok Lerman, who survived with his family in the fire that completely destroyed Congregation Beth El synagogue, stands in front of the synagogue’s ruins in Rutherford, New Jersey on August 8. Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images

Additional story

JustAnotherGen

(36,722 posts)
2. Found to be unintentional
Sun Aug 10, 2025, 09:53 PM
Aug 10

Yeah right.

They ARE crowd funding and my UU Congregation has sent out a call for tithe dedicated to them rebuilding. We gave to that fund this morning to help them rebuild.

They will persevere.

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