During a Friday night service at a New York City synagogue, an unprovoked assault unfolded as a Jewish man and a woman became the unfortunate targets of a violent attack, now classified by authorities as a hate crime.
Larry Montes, a 46-year-old resident from the Bronx, is accused of disrupting the tranquility of Shabbat at the Central Synagogue located in Midtown Manhattan. The disturbance led to an altercation where Montes allegedly attacked a 63-year-old woman and a 65-year-old security guard while being ushered from the premises.
As a result of the chaos, the woman sustained a lip injury, and the security personnel suffered the indignity of being spat on and headbutted. Montes’ actions not only caused physical harm but also included damage to synagogue property and significant fright among the congregation. Many of these moments were inadvertently captured on the synagogue’s livestream.
The disturbing scene was vividly documented, showcasing two women visibly startled at the altar. They hurried to collect their belongings and move to safety as Montes’ aggressive behavior unfolded.
Viewers witnessed attendees rising from their seats in shock, jaws dropped, as three individuals, including the security guard, struggled to remove Montes from the sanctuary amid his loud outbursts.
Attendees were told to ‘please remain calm and in your seats’ as Montes was escorted out by New York Police Department officers paid by the congregation to protect their place of worship.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced additional officers will be deployed to the religious institution.
Two were were frightened during prayer service after Larry Montes, 46, attacked attendees on Friday
They were in the middle of the service when the commotion happened. The women could be seen trying to back away from him
Other attendees were seen with their mouths agape in shock as Monte was dragged out by a security guard, whom he headbutted. He also injured a 63-year-old woman’s lip
‘I understand the sanctity of this space and its meaning for congregants. Central Synagogue is where I grew up,’ she wrote on X.
‘In joy and in sorrow, it has always been a place of comfort and peace. What happened there tonight is deeply painful. A place of worship should never be a crime scene.’
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has previously denied allegations he is an anti-Semite over his stance on Israel, also released a statement condemning the attack, stating he was ‘horrified.’
‘I can only imagine the pain and fear an attack like this during Shabbat services causes for the congregation and for Jewish New Yorkers across our city,’ he wrote on X.
‘Every New Yorker must be able to observe their religion without fear of violence. This despicable act has no place in our city, and our administration will do everything in our power to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe.’
Montes was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, among other charges, Tisch announced.
There are nearly one million Jews living in New York City, making it the largest Jewish population outside of Israel.
Montes was arrested and charged with a hate crime for attacking two people inside the Central Synagogue in Midtown Manhattan on Friday
He was caught on livestream screaming as he was escorted out
He was arrested after being taken out of the building
Additional police services have been deployed to the historic synagogue. NYC has the largest population of Jews outside of Israel
Mayor Mamdani has been open about his desire to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he ever set foot in the Big Apple.
He has since conceded that he does not have the power to do so and that only the federal government would be able to make such an arrest.
New York rabbis have also reportedly asked the Democratic Socialist to tone down his anti-Israel rhetoric during a private meeting at City Hall this week, as antisemitic crimes are on the rise.
His wife Rama Duwaji has been accused of liking social media posts that celebrated or justified Hamas’s massacre of 1,200 Jews on October 7 2023.