the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Bloomfield NJ, a man from Passaic County was arrested on Wednesday for the attempted firebombing of Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield. Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia announced, “I’m proud to announce that the suspect in the Temple Ner Tamid firebombing is in the custody of the FBI and Bloomfield Police Department”
Police say that around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, Clifton resident Nicholas Malindretos, 26, lit a bottle of accelerant and threw it at the doors of the synagogue. The bottle broke, but there were no injuries or damage to the building.
Court papers say a nearby license plate reader picked up his car, which police then located and searched Wednesday.
Malindretos will face a federal judge today , Thursday February 2.
The arrest has brought relief to the community. “My congregation was on edge. As long as the perpetrator was out there, it meant he could potentially come back,” said Rabbi Marc Katz. “This particular threat has been neutralized. What this affirms is that there are many, many more allies than there are people who seek to harm us.”
Reported cases of antisemitism rose in 2021 by nearly 25% in New Jersey, with 370 in total, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Just a few months ago, synagogues had another scare when an 18-year-old from Middlesex County was accused of making online threats.
Religious leaders, politicians and community members are also expected to gather at Temple Ner Tamid on Thursday to show support.
Greek dude. If you don’t like somebody just avoid them.
In prison he’s gonna find out how they separate the men from the boys in greece…. with a crowbar