Historic New Jersey Synagogue Destroyed by Early Morning Blaze; Rabbi and Family Escape Unharmed

In the early hours of Friday morning, a devastating fire ravaged a synagogue in New Jersey, narrowly sparing the rabbi and his family who were inside at the time.

The blaze broke out around 2:50 a.m. at Congregation Beth El, located in a residential area of Rutherford, according to the town’s mayor. Authorities have found no signs indicating the fire was deliberately set.

Upon arrival, firefighters were met with intense flames already consuming the building, with portions beginning to collapse. The incident escalated to a four-alarm fire, prompting assistance from fourteen neighboring fire departments.

Rabbi Yitzchok Lerman and his family were sleeping in an apartment within the synagogue when the fire ignited. He recounted how he, his wife, and four children quickly dressed and escaped moments before the structure began to fall apart.

“We saw bright orange flames outside our window and immediately gathered our children to flee,” Rabbi Lerman said. “I attempted to retrieve our Torah scrolls, but the fire had already overtaken the entire building—it happened incredibly fast.”

Due to the destruction, the synagogue will not hold its usual Friday night service. Instead, a gathering is planned for Saturday at 10 a.m. in tents set up on the property.

The synagogue, established in 1919, was housed in a large building that once served as a residence. Officials noted that the presence of aged wood and varnished materials may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Investigations into the fire’s origin are underway.

Notably, the synagogue was targeted in January 2012 when a 19-year-old assailant threw a Molotov cocktail at the building while passing by on a bicycle. The individual faced charges related to firebombing another synagogue in Paramus.