On May 22, 2011, Aron Rottenberg was attacked with an incendiary device outside his home in the village of New Square, New York by Shaul Spitzer who, it is believed, intended to set his house afire. Rottenberg suffered burns over 50% of his body. He was attacked because he chose not to pray in New Square's main synagogue led by Skver Grand Rabbi David Twersky.[1] Eighteen year old Shaul Spitzer is the alleged perpetrator and is charged with first degree arson and second degree attempted murder. A few days after the incident, Twersky condemned the attack, but many suspect Twersky is at least indirectly responsible for the attack.[2] Spitzer was indicted by a grand jury on June 23[3], and pleaded not guilty[4].
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Shortly after Rottenberg's family had installed surveillance cameras, out of fear of attacks and harassment, Rottenberg’s eldest son, Jacob, was monitoring the cameras around 4 a.m. on May 22 when he saw at least one intruder placing gasoline-soaked rags behind the house. Screaming, he awoke his father. When Aron Rottenberg ran outside the gasoline exploded and set him afire.[5]
Spitzer is the butler of Rabbi David Twersky and lived in his home.[1] Spitzer is also the cousin of the deputy mayor of New Square.[6] According to residents of New Square, Spitzer is part of a network of up to 40 men and boys who defend the Grand Rabbi with intimidation and violence.[7]
The FBI joined the investigation of the attack and the months of violence leading up to it,[8] including Rottenberg's windows being smashed and his daughter’s school desk and books being dumped on the front porch.[5]
Prior to the arson attack, the Rottenbergs had filed seven police reports concerning various acts and threats,[9] beginning mid September 2010.[5] According to Rottenberg's wife, they were warned prior to the incident that they should move out of New Square.[1] Ramapo police think that Spitzer planned on burning down Rottenberg's home.[1] The police were to question Rabbi David Twersky in relation to this incident.[1]
The May 22nd arson attack came after many months of violence in New Square over the praying by some outside the main synagogue. On May 5, 2011 the home of another resident, Ari Austerlitz, burned down. The possibility of arson is being investigated in that incident as well.[10] Ari Austerlitz's home was the site of a large protest in late 2009.[11] In a previous incident, in September 2010 car windows were smashed in what is believed to be related to the same dispute.[12]
Initially, the deputy mayor of New Square, Israel Spitzer, the suspect's cousin, said the attack was simply a personal dispute between the two men. The town supervisor, Christopher St. Lawrence, said he trusted the deputy mayor. St. Lawrence was re-elected in 2009 with the support of virtually all of New Square’s 2,000 voters. Peter Brower, Ramapo’s police chief, also said there was no evidence linking it to previous incidents.[5] However, The Journal News called for a federal investigation into the incident, citing past police action, due to the alleged influence of the Skver congregation on local politicians.[13] Later the New Square leadership issued an unsigned statement expressing shock and outrage about the incident and condemning all violence.[14]
On May, 26 the Grand Rabbi issued the following statement in Yiddish in public to a group of the yeshiva students: "We are talking here together; perhaps bring something up here. There was a heart ache here this week. Now on first glance we should not have to bring it up again. However, all know this from all the years; we mentioned this many, many times, at every issue of going with power and forcefulness , even more so, harming a Jew bodily. It's certainly against our way, against the way of Skver. All know the way of Skver is 'its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace.' However, since--on first glance I should not have to say this; however, since this heart ache did occur after all, perhaps it is worth it to bring it up again and indeed perpetuate it to others too this that we have discussed, God forbid not to do an issue that causes forcefulness--from going with power. As we discussed, this causes heart ache, and this is against our way and against the way of Skver. Only, this caused that Jews are in pain and need a recovery. Should indeed God help, they should have a full recovery in full and come home healthy..." [15]
A few days later he issued another statement saying that anyone who commits any acts of violence are doing more harm to him personally than is Mr. Rottenberg’s attorney, Michael Sussman.[16]
In mid June, 2011, very shortly after filing a 36 million dollar law suit against the Grand Rabbi and Spitzer, the Rottenberg family moved to Monsey, New York for fear of more attacks, leaving their house unoccupied.[17]