Florida man, 50, allegedly sets fire to Jewish center

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. >> A South Florida Jewish center suffered severe damage in a weekend arson fire that police believe was set by a mentally ill homeless man who previously confronted the rabbi and others.

Rabbi Chaim Slavaticki said Monday that the man accused of setting the fire sat down in front of his family’s car on Friday evening in the alley behind the Las Olas Jewish Center, raised his middle finger and would not let them pass as they arrived for a Shabbat dinner with the community.

“He was saying negative things and having us go around,” Slavaticki said. He said the suspect had twice previously made obscene gestures at him and had run-ins with others at the center.