Thirteen young men from a Hasidic Jewish community were arraigned on charges related to an incident in a Brooklyn synagogue where a wall was damaged by individuals wielding a hammer and crowbar, leading to a serious altercation that was captured on video. The defendants, who pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from criminal mischief to obstructing governmental administration, were ordered to surrender their passports by Justice Adam Perlmutter. The incident occurred at a famous synagogue located on Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, which is the global headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Most of the defendants had come from Israel to study the Torah and the teachings of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Rebbe.
The Rebbe, who passed away in 1994, is considered by many in the Lubavitch movement to be the messiah and had called for the expansion of the synagogue during his lifetime. The space adjacent to the synagogue had been excavated secretly, prompting the building owners to call for cement trucks to fill the area. Some students broke through the wall between the dug-out space and the synagogue before they could do so, which led to the arrests. The city inspectors characterized the excavated space as a “tunnel,” which was conducted without proper permits, resulting in the closure of parts of 770 for investigation. By the end of the week, the space had been filled with cement and the synagogue was allowed to reopen. None of the young men charged in the incident were involved in the excavation outside the sanctuary.
During the hearing, the defendants, wearing traditional Lubavitch dress, sat in the courtroom where most of them ranged in age from 18 to 21 and spoke limited English. Mendel Gerlitzky, who was charged with criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, drew attention by wearing a pin shaped like a shovel with the words “expand 770” on his lapel. While many defendants declined to comment, Gerlitzky stated that the media and law enforcement have exaggerated the impact of the incident, claiming that an expansion of 770 is supported by many in the community. Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesman for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, denounced violence and destruction, hoping that the individuals involved would realize their mistakes.
The defendants were not banned from entering the synagogue, where they both worship and study, despite prosecutors’ request to do so. Mr. Levi Huebner, the lawyer for the absent defendants in Israel, stated that they were unable to attend the arraignment. Chabad leaders at 770 have been accused of influencing the media and law enforcement to blow the incident out of proportion. City inspectors issued citations for the unauthorized excavation, which led to the closure of parts of the synagogue for investigation. While the Lubavitch movement believes that the incident has been exaggerated by authorities, Rabbi Seligson emphasizes that violence and destruction are against the teachings of the Rebbe.
The defendants came to New York from Israel to study the Torah and the teachings of Rabbi Schneerson, with some causing damage to a wall inside the famous synagogue where they worship. The synagogue, referred to as 770, is considered a significant religious site in New York and is heavily frequented by worshipers from around the world. The incident in January resulted in the filling of the excavated space with cement and the reopening of the synagogue after city inspectors conducted an investigation. Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, community members remain divided on the issue of an expansion of 770, which many support while condemning unauthorized excavations done without permits.
