On the evening of April 22 at approximately 9PM, Bnos Sanz, ("Daughters of Sanz") the girls' school associated with the Klausenburg-Sanz Jewish community of Union City, suffered an arson attack.  The Klausenburg-Sanz community consists of approximately 100-200 families and is a branch of the Hassidic group centered in Netanya, Israel and Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The fire, first spotted by a 5-year-old girl looking out her window, appears to have been set by two men who piled 2 x 4 planks and a school desk into an enclosed area beneath the school's front steps, set it ablaze, and ran off.  A video camera captured images of the perpetrators; Union City police are seeking information from the public as to their identities.

By coincidence, the girl's father is a member of the Union City Hatzolah EMS, a rescue squad sponsored by the Klausenburg-Sanz community, and is often a first responder to calls for help within the community and surrounding neighborhoods.  He happened to have had a fire extinguisher at the ready, and contained the conflagration before the Union City Fire Department and other members of Hatzolah arrived.

Fire damage was minor, and there were no injuries. Classes resumed as normal yesterday morning.

At present it is not clear whether the attack was a random act of vandalism or whether the Klausenburg-Sanz community -- or the Jewish community in general -- was targeted intentionally.

"We'd rather it was a few idiots than an attack on the community," said Rabbi Hersch Turner, Director of the Bnos Sanz school as well as Chaplain to the Union City Police Department.  His sentiment was echoed by other Klausenburg-Sanz residents and by local law enforcement officials.  Union City Mayor Brian Stack was on the scene the following morning to express solidarity with the Klausenburg-Sanz community and to see the damage for himself.  He was accompanied by Union City Police Chief Charles Everett.

Police Chief Everett, Mayor Stack and Rabbi Turner discuss the attack on the Bnos Sanz school.

Contrary to initial reports, there is no evidence that the fire was a "cross burning."  "At this point it doesn't look like a 'hate crime' but it's too early to say," said Solomon Nussenzweig, Supervisor of the Bnos Sanz school and a member of Hatzolah.  Police officials are hopeful that the culprits will be identified shortly.

When asked if there was anything that the broader community could do to assist, Rabbi Turner replied without hesitation that the best thing would be to contribute to the Union City Hatzolah, which is in need of a new ambulance.  (The word "hatzolah" comes from the Hebrew "lehatzel" meaning "to rescue").  At present the organization operates two ambulances, manned by approximately a dozen trained Klausenburg-Sanz Emergency Medical Technicians.  However, one of the ambulances is in need of replacement by more modern equipment.

Donations to the Union City Hatzolah can be made in memory of loved ones or simply in thanks for the fact that there were no injuries or significant damage from the fire.  Donations may be made by Internet or directed to:

Union City Hatzolah
3400 New York Avenue
Union City, NJ 07087

People in need of emergency assistance in the immediate vicinity of Union City are encouraged to call Hatzolah for help at 201-422-9000, but in cases of life or death, says Mr. Nussenzweig, they should call 911 and/or both, depending on their proximity to Union City.  The Hatzolah rescue squad website is:

"We're here to help anyone in any situation" says Mr. Nussenzweig.  "And of course, all are welcome to visit for Shabbat."

Hatzolah volunteers transporting  ill or injured members of the Union City community.