Man facing hate crime charges after disrupting services at Central Synagogue: NYPD

MIDTOWN EAST, Manhattan (WABC) -- There is heightened security at Central Synagogue in Midtown East after a hate crime attack rattled Jewish New Yorkers.

Larry Montes, 46, faces a slew of hate crime charges and Mayor Zohran Mamdani is trying to ease fears among Jewish New Yorkers in the wake of recent anti-Semitic violence.

Police say Montes struck a 63-year-old woman who is a member of the congregation, spit and head-butted a member of the security team - all before an NYPD sergeant working a paid detail got him out of the synagogue.

The shocking assault happened during Friday night Shabbat, prompting additional police resources on Saturday to somehow make congregants feel safe.

Montes has been charged with hate crimes for the assault - one that follows a disturbing pattern of antisemitic incidents this year. In January, swastikas were spray painted all over a Brooklyn playground and in late July, a Jewish man was stabbed with a screwdriver on the Upper West Side.

Mayor Mamdani called the latest assault 'horrifying' and continued promising that his administration will protect Jewish New Yorkers.

The mayor has faced heavy criticism from Jewish leaders for fueling inflammatory rhetoric. The city council speaker was asked whether the Mamdani Administration is doing enough.

"Right now, the Jewish communities are in tremendous pain. This is yet another, strike at the Jewish community. And it just seems that every single week there are more and more instances of Jewish communities. About 10% of the New York City population, yet accounts for a large majority of the hate crimes are actually against the Jewish community, more than 50%," said city council speaker Julie Menin.

Governor Kathy Hochul called the incident 'appalling' and Senator Chuck Schumer also released a statement saying antisemitism is real and increasing by the day.

The suspect is awaiting Arraignment on hate crimes charges.

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