Central Synagogue hate crime charges filed after Manhattan Shabbat disruption

Police say a Bronx man assaulted congregant and security worker during Friday night service

NEW YORK CITY — A 46-year-old Bronx man has been charged with hate crimes after authorities said he disrupted Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Manhattan on Friday night, struck a congregant and allegedly assaulted a member of the synagogue’s security team while being removed from the building.

Larry Montes was taken into custody at the synagogue by a police sergeant assigned to a paid security detail, according to a statement from the New York Police Department relayed by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. No one was seriously injured, Tisch said.

Authorities charged Montes with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, in addition to other charges. The allegations have not been tested in court, and prosecutors had not publicly detailed the additional counts or Montes’ legal representation.

Authorities describe confrontation during removal from synagogue

Tisch said synagogue security intervened after Montes disrupted the livestreamed Friday night service. As security personnel escorted him out, he allegedly struck a member of the congregation and damaged synagogue property.

The confrontation continued outside the service area, according to the commissioner’s statement. Montes then allegedly spat at and head-butted a member of the security team before the NYPD sergeant immediately placed him under arrest.

The reported episode drew swift condemnation from city and state leaders, who emphasized that New Yorkers must be able to worship without intimidation or violence. Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the assault “horrifying” in a social media post.

“Every New Yorker must be able to observe their religion without fear of violence,” Mamdani said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer also condemned the incident. Their responses underscored the heightened concern surrounding attacks or alleged bias-motivated acts at houses of worship, where security planning has become an increasingly visible part of religious gatherings.

Services continued with added security on Saturday

Central Synagogue added police security after Friday night’s disruption, but Shabbat services continued Saturday. Rabbi Rebecca Thau addressed congregants about the challenge of maintaining religious observance amid the aftermath of the incident.

“We might want to be focusing on the beauty of our liturgy and the sanctity of Shabbat, and somehow the feeling of the imperfect and cruel world keeps flooding in,” Thau said.

The case remains pending, with Montes facing the hate crime allegations and other charges. Authorities said additional security remained in place as synagogue services continued, and no serious injuries were reported.