Attempted Murderer of Chaim Berlin Rebbe Sentenced to Prison

By Hamodia Staff

A man who attempted to murder a rebbe in Yeshiva Chaim Berlin in 2019 by setting his family’s home on fire was sentenced Monday to 25 years to life in prison for his heinous actions, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office announced.

Matthew Karelefsky, 46, was arrested shortly after setting fire to the family home of Rabbi Yonasan Max, and even had a tattoo which spelled out his plans to murder the rabbi.

The fire Karelefsky started quickly spread to two adjacent houses, and ultimately injured six people, including a six-week-old infant, a firefighter and two police officers.

Karelefsky, who grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family in Brooklyn, had converted to Christianity at some point before committing the crime. He drove from his home in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to carry out the murder. When arrested, Karelefsky showed no remorse, and was seen smiling during his trials.

“This defendant’s actions destroyed the homes of several families and put numerous people in harm’s way,” District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement. “I am thankful that there were no life-threatening injuries. With today’s sentence, this defendant has been brought to justice.”

Karelefsky was convicted of first-degree attempted murder, second-degree arson, six counts of second-degree assault, and two counts of fourth-degree arson on February 7, 2024, following a jury trial. He was sentenced by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 25 years to life in prison.