Livingston Officials Increase Security After 'Cowardly' Synagogue Attack In Bloomfield

LIVINGSTON, NJ — After a synagogue in nearby Bloomfield was attacked early Sunday morning, officials around Essex County responded, including in Livingston.

Mayor Michael M. Vieira and council members released a statement Sunday calling the act "cowardly" and saying additional security measures have been put in place around local houses of worship.

According to police and police video, a man wearing a ski mask threw an ignited "Molotov cocktail" — a bottle with a flammable liquid — at Temple Ner Tamid on Broad Street in Bloomfield early that morning. The glass bottle broke, but didn’t cause damage to the building. READ MORE: Video Shows Man Hurl Fiery Molotov Cocktail At Bloomfield Synagogue

Officials say incidents of antisemitism are on the rise. In fact, a federal complaint released Monday said that expletives aimed at Jewish people were found in a notebook left by a man who stole a school bus from Livingston. READ MORE: Man Arrested In Livingston School Bus Theft Faces Federal Charges

The Essex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers Program announced Monday a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for Sunday's attack.

Livingston's mayor and council released this statement Sunday:

Dear Livingston Residents:

The Livingston Town Council is incredibly grateful and relieved that the cowardly firebomb attack on an area Synagogue early this morning failed, resulting in little damage and no injury. Our hearts and prayers are with the Jewish communities from both Bloomfield and Montclair as we condemn this act of anti-Semitism, hate and violence in the strongest of terms.

While it is a huge relief that no one suffered physical harm and the property damage was minimal, we know these acts create a tremendous emotional toll for the entire congregation as well as for all Jews in New Jersey and in communities across our nation.

Please know that the Livingston Township Police Department has been in contact with every Livingston temple and synagogue and additional security measures have been put in place even though there is no indication of any additional threats.

We hope that all faith communities will continue to offer support and stand in solidarity with our Jewish friends and neighbors to condemn actions that divide us and target individuals and organizations because of their faith. We must all work to denounce and fight the antisemitism which leads to the targeting of synagogues.

Let us pray this person is swiftly brought to justice and that these senseless acts of hate and violence end in all our communities forever.

Mayor Michael M. Vieira
Deputy Mayor Al Anthony
Council Member Ed Meinhardt
Council Member Shawn Klein
Council Member Rosy Bagolie

Congresswoman Mikey Sherrill released this statement:

At roughly 3:00 this morning, an unknown man attempted to vandalize Temple Ner Tamid with a Molotov cocktail. Fortunately, the fire did not ignite, and his attempt was unsuccessful. Leaders at Ner Tamid are working with law enforcement, and the Anti-Defamation League and the Federation of Greater MetroWest are partnering to investigate and coordinate security. My prayers are with Rabbi Marc Katz and the Ner Tamid community.

Although I am grateful that damage was minimal and no one was injured, I am heartbroken and angry today. Anti-Semitic hatred is on the rise in our state, our country, and around the world, and we all must work together to eradicate it. Our Jewish neighbors are beloved community members – friends, loved ones, and leaders. Attacks against them are attacks against all of us, and we all have a responsibility to stand up against anti-Semitism wherever it rears its head.

I am closely monitoring the situation and in communication with law enforcement. To my friend Rabbi Katz and all of my friends who are part of the Ner Tamid congregation, I will continue to work to end this intolerance and violence wherever I can.

Eric Kiefer contributed reporting to this story.