US/World News

Pennsylvania man arrested regarding fire in Brooklyn rabbi’s home

(JTA) – A Pennsylvania man reportedly has been arrested in connection with a fire in the home of a Brooklyn rabbi that investigators suspect was an arson attack. Menachem Karelefsky of McKeesport, Pennsylvania was arrested on Sunday, June 16 and charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of arson. Thirteen people, including a 6-week-old baby, were injured in the early Friday morning fire. None of the injuries were life-threatening.

Karelefsky, who also goes by the name Matthew, posted on his LinkedIn profile that the homeowner, Rabbi Jonathan Max, a teacher at the Chaim Berlin Yeshiva, molested him. There do not appear to be any other public accusations of sexual misconduct against Max. Karelefsky has repeated his allegations on various Orthodox blogs had reportedly has threatened to kill the rabbi for at least a decade. He allegedly has a tattoo on his right arm expressing his desire to kill the rabbi. Karelefsky, who was born Jewish to non-Orthodox parents and later became religious and attended the yeshiva, has converted to Christianity and according to writings obtained by Matzav.com claims to be “healing in church almost every Sunday.”

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