NY Central Synagogue Attack: Suspect Charged with Hate Crimes
Following a violent intrusion at Manhattan’s Central Synagogue, Jewish security watchdogs are urging the New York Police Department to deploy additional law enforcement personnel to high-risk neighborhood hot spots.
The Central Synagogue Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The security breach occurred on a Friday night service when 46-year-old Larry Montes gained entry to the main sanctuary of Central Synagogue. According to the Community Security Initiative (CSI), Montes did not initially raise conventional alarms upon entering the building, though security staff recognized him as an unfamiliar face.
Once inside, Montes began shouting antisemitic slurs and disrupting the religious service. He struck a 63-year-old congregant and subsequently headbutted a security team member who was escorting him from the sanctuary.
Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, the senior rabbi of the congregation, was away for a family event during the attack. However, she noted on social media that the synagogue’s security director quickly restrained and escorted the intruder out within one minute of the disruption.
Police arrested Montes at the scene. According to police, Montes faces multiple charges, including four counts of assault as a hate crime, criminal mischief as a hate crime, disruption of a religious service, criminal trespassing as a hate crime, and multiple counts of aggravated harassment. Court records show Montes has three prior robbery arrests in New York City dating between 2019 and 2023. A criminal court judge set bail at $10,000 cash with $30,000 bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for August 20.
Security Watchdogs Push for Predictive NYPD Deployments
In response to the Manhattan attack, Mitchell Silber, CEO of the Community Security Initiative, stated that the organization is pressing law enforcement agencies to adopt advanced protective strategies. Silber called on the NYPD to utilize datamining, crime cluster mapping, and pre-emptive deployment of officers to identify and protect potential hot spots for hate crimes.
“It’s difficult, because you’re trying to balance being open for the public for worship, and at the same time, keeping our sanctuary safe,” Silber explained to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
The CSI coordinates security for Jewish institutions across the New York area with funding from the UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Community Relations Council. Following the incident at Central Synagogue, the watchdog issued a safety bulletin to regional congregations outlining upgraded protocols.
Beyond municipal police deployments, the bulletin encourages synagogues to partner with the Community Security Service. That nonprofit organization trains congregants to serve as volunteer greeters capable of identifying external threats before they enter sanctuaries.
“Central Synagogue isn’t Park East, Park East isn’t KJ, KJ isn’t Congregation Beth Elohim—they’re all so different, and that’s why having members of the synagogue trained can really be a force multiplier,” Silber said.
As municipal leaders and law enforcement evaluate heightened security postures, affected institutions continue reviewing access controls and response frameworks.