Arson Suspected In San Jose Chabad House Blaze
When a San Jose synagogue was found burning in the early hours of this morning, community members and a neighborhood hero rushed in to help, calling the fire services, rescuing holy objects, and initiating a rebuilding campaign.
A garbage collector called 911 when he saw flames licking the outside walls of the newly constructed Chabad House, during his rounds in the San Jose, CA, neighborhood at 8 A.M. Wednesday morning. Fire trucks and emergency services quickly arrived at the scene and fought valiantly to bring the blaze under control. But by the time the fire was extinguished, it had caused irreparable structural damage and burned through the sanctuary and on-site Hebrew School classrooms.
The damage was made worse by the fact that the fire was allowed to burn for approximately six hours before anyone notified authorities. Firefighters estimate the blaze began at around 2 A.M., but though the conspicuous blue building is situated just off a busy junction with the Almaden Expressway and in a residential neighborhood, no passersby reported the fire until the garbage collector drove past and by then the fire was well underway.
The source of the fire is still under investigation, but fire investigators suspect it was deliberately set. “The point of origin is on the outside of the building which is consistent with arson,” officers told Rabbi Mendel Weinfeld, San Jose’s Rabbi. They did not wish to speculate on motivation before the investigation has taken place only saying, “It’s not every day you see a synagogue on fire.”
A friend of Rabbi Mendel’s, a Jewish firefighter, contacted the rabbi and he immediately rushed to The Chabad House in hopes of saving the Torah scrolls, but he was too late. A community member, Jacob Cohen had arrived on the scene before the rabbi, having heard from a colleague that there were firetrucks at the property. Jacob tried unsuccessfully to reach the rabbi so drove over to see how he could help. When he arrived at the edge of the driveway he was greeted by clouds of thick smoke and firefighters hard at work. He explained to the nearest one the significance of the Torahs and other holy objects and asked the firefighter to check on their status. “He told me he could not make any promises, but he risked his safety to re-enter an unstable building and was able to bring out the two Torahs and a drawer with the Talits and Tefilin,” Jacob said. “These are the true heroes, the ones who risk their lives every day for us.”
For the fledgling Jewish community this fire is a devastating blow. Rabbi Mendel and Mussi Weinfeld arrived in San Jose just two years ago, sent by the Lubavitcher Rebbe to establish a new Jewish community. They completed renovations on the newly-purchased Chabad House in August just in time for the Jewish new year Rosh Hashana. Their website still hosts a building fund page to help complete the renovation payments. The damage to the building is so vast that it will need to be torn down and rebuilt. And rebuild they will, for Rabbi Mendel says, “Flames and ashes may try to throw shade on our light, but the fire of Jewish life burns brighter and will last longer than any of its adversaries,” he said. “Let’s add in light, let’s add in acts of goodness and kindness that will surely make the world a better place and bring the messiah”.
Community members were quick to come together in support of the rebuilding efforts. A GoFundMe set up this afternoon by community member, Maryann Barsky has already raised $25,000 toward the $250,000 goal.
Jacob says he’s not surprised at the outpouring of support. He says over 1,500 community members showed up to a recent Chanukah event at Santana Row and he has seen people stop outside the center and point out the menorah to their kids. “There are people who wouldn’t usually show up at a synagogue, but at Chabad they’ll bring their kids to a holiday event. The Chabad House is a vital link in their relationship to Judaism and the community. Our goal is to have the Chabad House back in time for the next holiday.”
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