A New York City man has been charged with hate crimes for disrupting Shabbat services at Manhattan's Central Synagogue on Friday night, where he allegedly struck two people.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the man, identified as Larry Montes, 46, of the Bronx, assaulted a congregant and a member of the security team as he was being escorted out of the synagogue. Montes also allegedly damaged synagogue property. A police sergeant on paid security detail at the synagogue took Montes into custody, and no serious injuries were reported.
Montes faces multiple charges, including two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime. The incident occurred during a livestreamed service.
Mayor Eric Adams condemned the attack, stating on social media that "Every New Yorker must be able to observe their religion without fear of violence." Governor Kathy Hochul, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Senator Chuck Schumer also voiced their condemnation.
Additional police security has been deployed to the synagogue, and services continued on Saturday. Rabbi Rebecca Thau addressed congregants, acknowledging the intrusion of difficult events into moments of spiritual observance.