A Friday evening Shabbat service at one of New York City’s best-known synagogues was thrown into chaos after a man allegedly disrupted worship, attacked a congregant and assaulted a member of the security team.
New York City police were called to Central Synagogue in Manhattan shortly after 6 p.m. on Aug. 14 after a man identified as 46-year-old Larry Montes allegedly became irate and interrupted the service.
The service was being livestreamed at the time.
As synagogue security tried to escort Montes out, police say he struck a 63-year-old woman who was attending the service.
The woman suffered a small cut along with pain to her lip and right forearm, according to authorities.
Montes also allegedly spat on and headbutted a 65-year-old member of the synagogue’s security team and damaged property inside the building.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said no one was seriously injured and that those who were hurt were doing well.
An NYPD sergeant who was working a paid security detail at the synagogue immediately intervened and took Montes into custody, according to police.
Montes, a Bronx resident, now faces a long list of charges.
Police said he was charged with four counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime.
He also faces two counts of assault, two counts of harassment, two counts of aggravated harassment and additional charges including criminal mischief, criminal trespass as a hate crime and disruption of a religious service.
It was not immediately clear whether Montes had retained an attorney.
The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is continuing to investigate.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said there was no known ongoing threat in or around the synagogue following the incident.
The alleged attack also drew strong condemnation from several prominent New York officials.
Tisch said the incident was especially personal because she grew up attending Central Synagogue.
“A place of worship should never be a crime scene,” she said.
New York Attorney General Letitia James called the assault “appalling and unacceptable” and said no one should feel threatened while practicing their faith.
Gov. Kathy Hochul also condemned the attack, saying Jewish New Yorkers have the right to worship openly and without fear.
Mamdani said he was “horrified” by what happened and pledged that the city would work to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe.
Central Synagogue later thanked its security team, Tisch and the NYPD for their response.
The congregation made clear it would not be intimidated, saying it would continue gathering for “joyful, meaningful Judaism” every week.
Services resumed the following day.
Can anyone who wants justice see justice
HAA!!! THE NYC JUDGES WILL LET HIM OFF AND HE’LL BE BACK OUT ON THE STREET IN NO TIME!!!! THE NYC JUDICARY IS DEFUNCT!!!! CITIZEN VIGILTANTIES NEED TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM IF THIS HAPPENS!!!