BLOOMFIELD, N.J. (WABC) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy met with local religious leaders Tuesday night at a synagogue that was attacked with a Molotov cocktail amid a spate of anti-Semitic attacks in the state.
Two days after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the Ner Tamid Temple, Murphy arrived through the same door to let the congregation know they were not alone.
“It’s absolutely vile, unfortunately, the amount of anti-Semitic activity in New Jersey is almost exploding,” Murphy said.
On Sunday around 3:00 a.m., someone tried to set fire to a synagogue in Bloomfield. Fortunately, the glass of the door did not break and the flames did not spread. This temple already had panic buttons in the classrooms and boulders to prevent cars from hitting the building.
While the police are investigating, officials from National Security, the Prosecutor’s Office and other agencies are contacting houses of worship.
RELATED: Eyewitness News tracks crime and safety in New York City and in your area
The workshop was held in Secaucus to help clergy get resources to improve security.
“When our people come to worship, we want them to know they’re in the safest environment possible,” said Dr. Clint Parker of Calvary Baptist Church in Plainfield.
As for the man seen on surveillance video throwing a Molotov cocktail at Temple Ner Tamid, Rabbi Mark Katz had a message for the suspect.
“We are so much more than your fears,” Katz said. “If he would only get to know us, that fear would soon dissipate.”
Houses of worship are considered easy targets, but with so many attacks and the lack of safe holy places, even prayers are now accompanied by increased security.
———-
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or idea for a story we should cover? Submit it to Eyewitness News using the form below. When you attach a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2023 WABC-TV. All rights reserved.
