{"id":321905,"date":"2026-08-15T05:30:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T05:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/321905\/"},"modified":"2026-08-15T05:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T05:30:11","slug":"assailant-attacks-congregant-guard-at-nyc-shabbat-services-the-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/321905\/","title":{"rendered":"Assailant attacks congregant, guard at NYC Shabbat services \u2013 The Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Michael<\/p>\n

Michael Horowitz spent nearly a decade photographing architecturally and historically significant churches and synagogues in Manhattan. Pictured is Central Synagogue. Photo by Michael Horowitz<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Sharon<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Sharon Udasin<\/a><\/p>\n

August 15, 2026<\/p>\n

(JTA<\/a>) \u2014A man who attacked a congregant and a security guard at Manhattan\u2019s Central Synagogue on Friday night is now in custody, according to the New York Police Department.<\/p>\n

The individual disrupted Shabbat services before allegedly assaulting the two individuals.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs synagogue security was escorting him out, he struck a member of the congregation, damaged synagogue property, and then spit at and headbutted a member of the security team,\u201d NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated in a post on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tisch, who grew up attending the iconic Reform synagogue, said that an NYPD sergeant who was working on a paid detail on site \u201cimmediately stepped in and took the individual into custody.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have spoken with the rabbi of the synagogue, and I\u2019m relieved that no one was seriously injured,\u201d she said, confirming that those who were hurt are now doing well.<\/p>\n

While noting that the investigation is still ongoing, Tisch confirmed that there are no other known threats at the moment, and that additional NYPD resources were deployed to Central Synagogue.<\/p>\n

For the police commissioner, however, the event was also personal, as she described the synagogue of her childhood as \u201ca place of comfort and peace,\u201d both \u201cin joy and in sorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened there tonight is deeply painful,\u201d Tisch added. \u201cA place of worship should never be a crime scene.\u201d<\/p>\n

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote on X<\/a> that he was \u201chorrified by the assault at Central Synagogue during services today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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,\u201d Mamdani stated.<\/p>\n

The mayor emphasized that every New Yorker should be able to practice their religion without fearing violence, describing the event as a \u201cdespicable act\u201d that \u201chas no place in our city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur administration will do everything in our power to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe,\u201d Mamdani added.<\/p>\n

Julie Menin, speaker of the New York City Council, commended the NYPD<\/a> for its \u201cswift response that brought the individual into custody,\u201d adding that she was \u201cdisturbed\u201d by the incident.<\/p>\n

New York State Attorney General Letitia James described the assault as \u201cappalling and unacceptable\u201d in a social media statement<\/a>. She stressed that \u201cno one should feel threatened in their place of worship.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am relieved that everyone is okay and recovering, and my heart is with the Central Synagogue community this evening,\u201d James added.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared<\/a> on JTA.org.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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