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

Manhattan Synagogue Attack Sparks Hate Crime Charges Amid Rising Antisemitism

Earthguardiansonline.com – Shoppers and worshippers at one of Manhattan’s most historic houses of worship were thrown into chaos Friday evening when a man launched a violent assault during Shabbat services, ultimately facing multiple hate crime charges. The incident at Central Synagogue, located on Fifth Avenue near 59th Street, resulted in injuries to a congregant and prompted swift action from security personnel and law enforcement.

Police identified the attacker as Larry Montes, a 46-year-old resident of The Bronx who was taken into custody following the disturbance. According to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Montes was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, alongside additional charges related to the evening’s events.

The Evening’s Violence

The disruption began during Shabbat services when Montes allegedly started screaming and yelling throughout the sanctuary. Witnesses described a scene of confusion and fear as congregants scrambled for safety. A security guard managed to restrain Montes as he moved aggressively down the main aisle of the synagogue.

“He was screaming and yelling. I heard a loud pop … We thought it was a gun,” Susan Roane, who was attending the service, told local television station WCBS.

The assault left a 63-year-old woman with a small cut to her lip and injuries to her right forearm after being struck by Montes. Additionally, the suspect reportedly spat at and headbutted a member of the synagogue’s security team while being escorted from the building. Montes also damaged property within the historic sanctuary.

“He was just ranting and raving and yelling,” congregant Arlynn Greenbaum told WCBS. “He was very full of hate.”

Official Response and Condemnation

Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a prompt statement condemning the attack, emphasizing the city’s commitment to protecting Jewish residents. The mayor, who has navigated a complex relationship with some members of New York’s Jewish community regarding his positions on Israel’s military operations in Gaza, stressed that such violence contradicts the city’s values.

“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 social media platform X on Friday night.

The mayor further noted that New Yorkers must be able to practice their faith without fear of violence. He specifically thanked Central Synagogue’s security team for their quick response and the NYPD sergeant who apprehended Montes.

“Our administration will always stand against bigotry in all its forms. We will use every tool at our disposal to confront antisemitism and keep Jewish New Yorkers — and all New Yorkers — safe,” Mamdani added in his Saturday announcement of the charges.

Community Healing and Resilience

Central Synagogue, founded in 1872 and recognized as one of the oldest Reform congregations in the United States, issued a statement expressing gratitude for the community’s support following the disturbing events. The temple emphasized its commitment to continuing regular worship services.

“We will keep on gathering for joyful, meaningful Judaism with our Central family every week,” the temple wrote in its Facebook statement.

Cantor Jenna Pearsall led a healing prayer during Saturday morning’s Shabbat service, focusing on the entire community’s wellbeing. Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel opened the service by acknowledging the disruption while affirming the congregation’s safety and gratitude.

“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,” the rabbi said.

Broader Context of Rising Antisemitism

The attack occurred against a backdrop of increasing antisemitic incidents across the United States. A recent report from the Anti-Defamation League documented a record high number of antisemitic assaults in the country last year, including the first fatality since 2022. While the specific motivation behind Montes’ actions remains under investigation, the timing has drawn attention to these broader trends.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, condemned the incident as an antisemitic attack, directly criticizing New York’s leadership in his social media post. He emphasized that antisemitism remains a contemporary threat rather than a historical concern.

“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 also responded to the incident, affirming the rights of Jewish residents to worship openly and without fear.

“Jewish New Yorkers have every right to worship openly, proudly, and without fear,” she wrote on social media.

Commissioner Tisch confirmed that those injured in the incident were evaluated at the scene and are recovering well. She noted that she had spoken with the synagogue’s rabbi and expressed relief that no serious injuries occurred.

The incident has renewed calls for enhanced security measures at religious institutions across the city and has sparked discussions about the intersection of international conflicts and domestic antisemitism. As New York continues to grapple with these challenges, the community’s response has emphasized both vigilance and resilience in the face of hate.