Full Breakdown
Hate-Crime Attack Disrupts Shabbat Service at Manhattan’s Central Synagogue
8/16/2026, 12:17:43 AM
Attack at Central Synagogue
A 46-year-old Bronx resident, Larry Montes, entered the Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue during a livestreamed Shabbat service on Friday evening. While being escorted out, he struck a 63-year-old congregant, head-butted a 65-year-old security guard, damaged an ornate Shabbat candle holder valued at $20,000, and spat on a security team member. Police arrested Montes without serious injury to anyone. He now faces two counts of assault as a hate crime, one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, and additional charges of disruption of a religious service, harassment and aggravated harassment, according to the NYPD.
Official Responses
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the incident “deeply painful” and said, “A place of worship should never be a crime scene.” Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised the swift action of synagogue security and the NYPD sergeant who took Montes into custody. Council Speaker Julie Menin called the assault “appalling” and affirmed that Jewish New Yorkers have the right to worship without fear. Senator Chuck Schumer echoed the sentiment, urging that all Americans be able to worship freely.
Community Impact and Antisemitic Crime Trends
Despite the disruption, congregants resumed the service, with senior rabbi Angela Buchdahl noting the community’s resilience. The attack adds to a citywide surge in antisemitic incidents: by the end of July, NYC officials reported 205 confirmed antisemitic hate crimes, 16 more than the previous year, comprising nearly two-thirds of the 360 hate crimes investigated citywide in 2026. Police attribute the rise to broader anti-Jewish sentiment, citing recent swastika graffiti and a stabbing after Tisha B’Av services.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Rabbi Rebecca Thau
- “A place of worship should never be a crime scene,” — Jessica Tisch, Police Commissioner
- “I am grateful to Central Synagogue’s security team for swiftly stepping in to prevent more violence, and to the NYPD sergeant who apprehended him and took him into custody,” — Zohran Mamdani, Mayor
- “Jewish New Yorkers have every right to worship openly, proudly, and without fear.” — Julie Menin, Council Speaker
- “All New Yorkers and all Americans must be able to worship freely with no fear of danger for themselves or their families,” — Chuck Schumer, Senator
