NEW YORK (VINnews)- A man disrupted Shabbat services and attacked a security guard and a congregant at Central Synagogue in Manhattan on Friday night, authorities said.
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Larry Montes, 46, of the Bronx, was taken into custody by a police officer working security at the Reform synagogue. As security escorted him out, he struck a congregant, damaged synagogue property, then spit at and headbutted a member of the security team, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
Montes allegedly yelled an anti-Jewish slur during the incident. He was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime, one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime and other offenses.
The 63-year-old congregant suffered a small cut to her lip and an injury to her right forearm. No one was seriously injured, Tisch said. She added that she spoke with the synagogue’s rabbi and that there were no known additional threats. Extra police were deployed to the synagogue.
Tisch, who is Jewish, grew up attending Central Synagogue and was married there.
Montes’ aunt said he was “mentally traumatized” and claimed he had a “desire to belong to that religion,” referring to Judaism.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was “horrified” by the attack, calling it “despicable.” He said his administration would do everything possible to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe.
Jews have been the targets of the large majority of hate crimes in New York City. Last month they accounted for 70% of all hate crimes despite making up about 10% of the population. At least 205 anti-Jewish hate crimes have been reported this year.
Hate crimes against Jews and some other groups have risen since Mamdani took office at the start of the year. Jewish leaders have repeatedly warned that his anti-Zionist rhetoric is fueling hatred against Jews. On Monday, rabbis from a range of Jewish denominations met with Mamdani and cautioned that his repeated attacks on Israel were harmful to the Jewish community.
The NYPD has arrested Larry Montes, a 46-year-old Bronx man, in connection with this attack. He has been charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime, one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime and other charges.
I am grateful to Central Synagogue’s security team for… https://t.co/cvcCQV93p6
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) August 15, 2026
The assault during services at Central Synagogue today is appalling and unacceptable.
No one should feel threatened in their place of worship.
I am relieved that everyone is okay and recovering, and my heart is with the Central Synagogue community this evening. https://t.co/phiPEeaF5w
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) August 15, 2026
From 73 swastikas defacing a Brooklyn playground to a Jewish man stabbed after leaving Tisha B’Av services last month, horrifying acts of antisemitism are soaring in our city.
From Hebrew school to my father’s memorial service, Central Synagogue is where my family and thousands…
— Speaker Julie Menin (@SpeakerMenin) August 15, 2026
Won’t be to long until he’s back out and about.
This is taking place because Momzermani, the only thing despicable is his vocifierous, public hatred of Israel & Yidden. I am sure that 100% of the attendees at the Central Synagouge voted for this hitler reincarnation.
I don’t think Larry Montes took into consideration the fact that this was a Reform temple. It could have easily been another Shul or shteibel.
Odd way to join the congregation
Either he didn’t like the Reform Lecha Dodi band song or it’s a result of the Antisemitism spewed by MoFo Mayor’s rhetoric.
Frum Yidden in the US just don’t get it. Their Beautiful & Spacious Skies are caving in on them and they’re arguing about Reform services.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the attack, “despicable.” It was also de-SPIT-able.
It’s not “shabbat” services. Nothing Jewish about these people in this place.
Yes what he did is wrong fry him. But don’t call this shabbat services