Man charged with hate crimes after disrupting service at Manhattan’s Central Synagogue

Man Faces Hate Crime Charges Following Shabbat Service Disruption at Manhattan Synagogue

Activelifezero.com – A 46-year-old Bronx resident is now facing multiple hate crime charges after a violent disturbance during Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Manhattan on Friday evening. The incident, which left one woman with minor injuries and damaged synagogue property, prompted swift condemnation from city officials and community leaders alike.

Chaos During Shabbat Services

The disruption began during evening prayers when Larry Montes entered the sanctuary and began shouting aggressively. According to livestream footage captured by the synagogue and later obtained by local affiliate WCBS, congregants scrambled for safety as panic spread through the sanctuary. A security guard attempted to restrain Montes as he moved down the main aisle. During the struggle, the suspect spat at and headbutted a member of the synagogue’s security team before being subdued. The violence also affected worshippers. A 63-year-old woman sustained a small cut to her lip and injuries to her right forearm after being struck by Montes. “He was screaming and yelling. I heard a loud pop … We thought it was a gun,” Susan Roane, a congregant present at the service, told WCBS. Arlynn Greenbaum, another attendee, noted that while she observed the suspect was not carrying a weapon, she still instinctively sought cover. “He was just ranting and raving and yelling,” she recalled. “He was very full of hate.”

Official Response and Charges Filed

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced that Montes has been charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, along with additional charges. Tisch confirmed that the suspect also damaged synagogue property during the incident. “I have spoken with the rabbi of the synagogue, and I’m relieved that no one was seriously injured. Those who were hurt were evaluated at the scene and are doing well,” Tisch stated. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has navigated a sometimes tense relationship with portions of New York’s Jewish community due to his vocal criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, issued a prompt statement condemning the attack. “This despicable act has no place in our city, and our administration will do everything in our power to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe,” Mamdani wrote on X on Friday night. He emphasized that all New Yorkers must be able to practice their faith without fear of violence.

Community Gathers for Healing

Central Synagogue, one of Manhattan’s most prominent Jewish institutions, released a statement on Facebook expressing gratitude for the community’s support following what it described as “disturbing events.” “We will keep on gathering for joyful, meaningful Judaism with our Central family every week,” the temple wrote. The congregation held a Shabbat service on Saturday morning to address the incident. Cantor Jenna Pearsall acknowledged the emotional toll of the previous evening. “We went through something really hard and scary last night,” she said, before leading a healing prayer focused on the entire community. Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel opened Saturday’s service by affirming the congregation’s resilience. “Our day of rest was interrupted last night by a security incident in our main sanctuary, but we are OK. We are safe. We are grateful to be here, we are grateful to our security team for supporting us. We feel so grateful for our community,” he said. He added that the congregation would not “allow anyone to rob us of our attention on Shabbat.”

Broader Context of Rising Antisemitism

While the specific motivation behind Montes’ actions remains under investigation, the attack arrives amid a documented increase in antisemitic incidents across the United States. According to a report published by the Anti-Defamation League, the US experienced a record high number of antisemitic assaults last year, including its first fatality since 2022. International attention also focused on the incident. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, condemned the attack in a post that directly referenced New York’s leadership. “This is another chilling reminder that anti-Semitism does not belong in the past, it’s occurring here and now, in the heart of New York,” Danon wrote on X. New York Governor Kathy Hochul echoed these sentiments, stating on X that “Jewish New Yorkers have every right to worship openly, proudly, and without fear.” The incident has renewed calls for enhanced security measures at Jewish institutions across the city and country. Central Synagogue’s security team played a crucial role in containing the situation, and their efforts were specifically acknowledged by both the rabbi and the police commissioner. As Montes awaits his court date, the community continues to process the events of Friday night. The synagogue’s commitment to maintaining regular services demonstrates a determination to move forward while honoring those affected by the attack.