Bronx Man Faces Hate Crime Charges After Disrupting 6 p.m. NYC Shabbat Service
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Aug 15
Bronx Man Faces Hate Crime Charges After Disrupting 6 p.m. NYC Shabbat Service
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Aug 15
Summary
Larry Montes, 46, was arrested after police said he disrupted a 6 p.m. Friday Shabbat service at a Midtown Manhattan synagogue and was charged with assault and criminal mischief as hate crimes.
As security escorted him out, Montes allegedly assaulted a 63-year-old woman, leaving her with a cut lip and forearm pain, and also spit at and headbutted a security guard.
Saturday morning, congregants returned for services under armed NYPD protection, with worshippers and Rabbi Andrew Kaplan Mandel stressing resilience and refusing to let the attack define Shabbat.
The incident quickly drew political fallout: Israeli Consul General Ofir Akunis blamed Mayor Mamdani's rhetoric, while Mamdani said the city had expanded its antisemitism office and was building a municipal response.