Aakash Dalal, 24, faces terrorism, bias intimidation, aggravated arson and other charges.
HACKENSACK - Rabbi Neil Schuman testified Wednesday about how a firebomb crashed through his bedroom window in the middle of the night, sending flames across the foot of his bed as his family slept nearby, according to a report on NorthJersey.com
Aakash Dalal (File photo) Aakash Dalal, 24, is on trial in Bergen County Superior Court in connection with the torching of Shuman's Rutherford home and other incidents in Bergen County in 2011 and 2012.
Dalal faces 20 counts, including terrorism, bias intimidation and aggravated arson.
Investigators said Molotov cocktails were thrown early on Jan. 11, 2012 into a home adjacent to Congregation Beth El in Rutherford as Schuman and his family - including five children - slept on the second and third floors.
The firebombs were made of wicks taped to glass soda bottles filled with flammable liquid, according to police.
"They were trying to kill me and my family," Schuman said during testimony, according to the report.
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Schuman told the court he used a comforter to snuff out flames from his bed, rug and window, according to the report.
Authorities have said Dalal worked with Anthony Graziano, 25, of Lodi, to commit the crimes.
Graziano was convicted of terrorism and 19 other counts in May. He is awaiting sentencing.
The jury trial was scheduled to resume at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.