Motorcyclists Ride into New Square for Arson Victim

More than a dozen motorcyclists rode into the village Monday to show solidarity with an arson attack victim and to send a message to other Jews that conformity was not their only choice.

Izzy Landau of Monsey, a friend of victim Aron Rottenberg’s, said the ride was also meant to raise money to help pay Rottenberg’s medical expenses and any costs that arise in the victim’s quest for justice.

But the larger point was to let other religious Jews know they had other options, Landau said.

“We basically want to bring awareness that you can be a Jew without wearing everything they require or else — in New Square particularly, where they shun you for not wearing particular clothing they want you to wear,” he said.

Landau said he grew up in an ultra-orthodox Jewish community that is similar to New Square. He still considers himself a religious Jew but no longer strictly adheres to all of the rules, such as wearing certain clothing.

He said he had recently received emails from young residents in New Square who told him they felt trapped by their religious lifestyle.

Landau said they had no secular education and most did not speak English.

“They have no tools … to live anywhere but New Square,” Landau said. “I want people to know there is a world out there. You can be a Jew and pray and send your kids to school where you please without getting persecuted.”

Rottenberg had become an outcast in his community because he dared to go against the wishes of Rabbi David Twersky, the grand rebbe of the Skver Hasidic sect. He did not worship at the community’s main synagogue. Some have wondered if Twersky had enough influence on his followers to be indirectly responsible for the arson attack.

Rottenberg was burned over 50 percent of his body during the May 22 arson attack after he confronted a man on his back deck.

Shaul Spitzer, 18, has been charged with first-degree attempted arson, second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault in the attack.

Spitzer, also injured in the attack, was a devoted Twersky aide who lived in the rebbe’s New Square home for more than a year.