A shocking incident has occurred in Brooklyn, New York, involving a well-known Jewish congregation. A group of young followers of the Chabad movement, known for their devotion to their late leader Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, were caught amid a controversial expansion project. The group, who believed that their Messiah had commanded them to expand their holiest site, took matters into their own hands, sparking a heated debate and even accusations of extremism.
Many have questioned the motives behind this disruptive move, with some even going as far as to suggest conspiracy theories. However, members of the Chabad group have come forward to clarify the situation, claiming that the expansion was a result of their deep devotion to their faith and their belief in fulfilling the late rabbi’s command.
Nine people are facing charges after police were called to a New York synagogue, where officials say a dispute broke out over attempts to close a secret tunnel found leading to the Chabad-Lubavitch movement’s headquarters building. https://t.co/Lb7ZHQWnqR
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 10, 2024
According to witnesses, the expansion project was discovered by the synagogue’s leaders after neighbors complained about the construction. When workers arrived to shut down the project, a small group of young Hassidic men refused to let them, even going so far as to break through a sanctuary wall with hammers. The chaotic scenes that ensued were caught on camera, and the situation quickly went viral.
The controversy surrounding this incident has sparked a debate within the Chabad community itself. While some members believe in the necessity of expanding the synagogue, many do not agree with the methods used by the young men. One congregant told the media that while their faith does dictate the expansion of the sanctuary, it should have been done through proper channels and with the approval of the Chabad leadership. Another Chabad member, Zalmy Grossman, expressed his disappointment in the media director of Chabad, Motti Seligson, who denied the belief in expanding the synagogue, which clashes with their fundamental beliefs.
Chabad leaders have been quick to condemn the actions of the young men, accusing them of being extremists and vandals. The Chabad media director, Motti Seligson, released a statement denouncing the actions, emphasizing that it was a minority group within the congregation that was responsible for the chaos. The chairman of Chabad, Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, also released a statement expressing his pain and stating that the actions of the agitators will be thoroughly investigated and that the sanctity of the synagogue will be restored.
This incident has also caused a stir in the larger Jewish community, with some pointing to the controversial history of the 770 Eastern Parkway building. The building, which was once home to Rabbi Schneerson himself, has been a source of controversy and even violence in the past. The 1991 Crown Heights riots, which erupted after a young boy was struck by a car in the rabbi’s motorcade, is still remembered by many in the community.
The actions of these young men have also garnered the attention of the NYPD, who were called to the scene when the situation spiraled out of control. A dozen young men, all students at Chabad, were arrested but released shortly after. Several have been charged with mischief and reckless endangerment, and the synagogue has been closed until it can be determined if it is structurally safe.
