A 46-year-old man was taken into custody Friday after disrupting Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Midtown East. Police said the incident was being investigated as a possible hate crime.
Jessica Tisch said the man struck a 63-year-old woman, damaged synagogue property, and spit at and headbutted a member of the security team. An NYPD sergeant working detail at the synagogue stepped in and took him into custody.
Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue
The disturbance unfolded at 642 Lexington Avenue, where security was removing the man when the assaults happened. The sequence left two people injured in the same incident: the woman and the security team member.
Mamdani said in a statement on social media, “I am horrified by the assault at Central Synagogue during services today. 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. Every New Yorker must be able to observe their religion without fear of violence.”
Jessica Tisch on no threats
Tisch said there were no additional threats at this time. That left the police response focused on the custody decision and the hate-crime inquiry, while the congregation dealt with the interruption during services.
Letitia James said, “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.”
What led the man to disrupt the services and attack people was not answered by the police account, and the case remained centered on what happened inside Central Synagogue and how quickly officers moved to detain him.
