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

Man Faces Hate Crime Charges Following Violent Disruption at Manhattan Synagogue

Goldlaner.com – A 46-year-old Bronx resident is now facing multiple hate crime charges after a violent outburst during Shabbat services at one of Manhattan’s most historic synagogues. The incident, which occurred Friday evening, left several congregants shaken and prompted swift condemnation from city leaders. Larry Montes, the man at the center of the disturbance, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, alongside additional charges. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the charges on social media platform X, noting that Montes had damaged synagogue property during the confrontation.

A Night of Chaos at Central Synagogue

The disruption began during evening services at Central Synagogue, a landmark institution on Fifth Avenue that has served the Jewish community for over 150 years. Livestream footage captured by local affiliate WCBS shows congregants scrambling as Montes barreled down the main aisle, shouting and yelling throughout the sanctuary. A security guard attempted to restrain the man as he moved through the congregation. During the struggle, Montes spat at and headbutted a member of the synagogue’s security team while being escorted out of the building. The violence resulted in injuries to a 63-year-old woman who was struck by Montes. An NYPD spokesperson confirmed that she sustained a small cut to her lip and injuries to her right forearm. Those injured were evaluated at the scene and are reported to be doing well.

Witnesses Describe the Scene

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

Another congregant, Arlynn Greenbaum, observed that Montes appeared to be unarmed but still instinctively sought cover.

“He was just ranting and raving and yelling,” she said. “He was very full of hate.”

The chaos was captured on the synagogue’s livestream, providing a clear visual record of the confrontation as it unfolded during the sacred evening service.

City Leaders Respond Quickly

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani was among the first officials to publicly address the incident. Despite having a somewhat tense relationship with certain segments of the city’s Jewish community due to his strong criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Mamdani 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,” he wrote on X on Friday night.

Mamdani emphasized that all New Yorkers must be able to practice their faith without fear of violence. Governor Kathy Hochul also weighed in, calling the attack “appalling” and affirming that Jewish New Yorkers have every right to worship openly, proudly, and without fear.

Community Gathers for Healing

Central Synagogue’s leadership moved quickly to address the congregation following the incident. Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel opened Saturday morning services by acknowledging the disruption but emphasizing 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,” the rabbi said.

Cantor Jenna Pearsall led a healing prayer focused on the entire community during Saturday’s Shabbat service.

“We went through something really hard and scary last night,” Pearsall told attendees before offering the prayer.

In a Facebook statement posted hours after the attack, the synagogue expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support it received.

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

Broader Context of Rising Antisemitism

While the exact motivation behind Montes’ actions remains unclear, the incident arrives during a period of heightened concern about antisemitism across the United States. A recent report from the Anti-Defamation League documented that antisemitic assaults reached a record high in the US last year, including the country’s first antisemitic-related fatality since 2022. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, condemned the attack in a post that directly criticized 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,” he wrote on X.

Commissioner Tisch confirmed she had spoken with the synagogue’s rabbi and expressed relief that no one suffered serious injuries. The charges against Montes reflect the seriousness with which authorities are treating hate-motivated violence in the city. As the Jewish community continues to observe Shabbat, Central Synagogue remains a symbol of resilience in the face of disruption and hatred.