Trial Looms for Four Accused in Brooklyn Synagogue Incident

Four men charged with felony criminal mischief for their alleged involvement in a chaotic altercation at the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Brooklyn are set to stand trial on April 28. The incident occurred after the discovery of an unauthorized tunnel dug beneath the synagogue, sparking protests among congregants and a confrontation with law enforcement.

The Controversial Tunnel and the Altercation

The dispute began when synagogue leaders moved to seal off a 60-foot-long, 8-foot-wide tunnel that had been secretly dug to expand the worship space. Congregants opposing the closure staged a protest that escalated into a scuffle, during which wooden siding was ripped from walls, prayer books were thrown, and parts of the revered synagogue complex were damaged.

The tunnel, connecting several buildings in the complex, was deemed structurally unsafe by the Department of Buildings, which issued vacate orders and later oversaw its permanent sealing with cement.

Arrests and Legal Proceedings

Sixteen people were arrested in the aftermath of the January 2022 altercation, which gained significant attention after video footage circulated on social media. Six defendants recently pleaded guilty to lesser charges and accepted an order of protection prohibiting further unauthorized alterations to the synagogue. Another six had previously resolved their cases with reduced charges.

The remaining four defendants—Yaakov Rothchild, Yisroel Binyamin, Yerachmiel Blumenfeld, and Menachem Maidanchik—rejected a plea deal offered by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. They now face felony charges that could result in up to seven years in prison.

Defendants’ Defense and Community Reaction

Jonathan Strauss, attorney for Yerachmiel Blumenfeld, criticized the charges, calling them an “outrage” and portraying his client as a young man drawn into a longstanding civil dispute within the Chabad community. “Kids don’t decide on their own to take such actions without influence from older, authoritative figures,” Strauss argued.

Proponents of the tunnel claimed they were fulfilling the vision of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the revered leader of the Chabad movement, who reportedly advocated for expanding the packed religious space before his death in 1994. However, Chabad administrators condemned the tunnel as an act of vandalism, rejecting any theological justification for the damage caused.

Chabad Leaders Condemn Actions

Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesperson for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, criticized the defendants’ actions as lawless and unethical. “We pray that they heed the Rebbe’s teachings of highest ethics and make moral and religious amends for the immense pain and damage they’ve wrought,” he said.

The synagogue complex, a global hub for Hasidic Judaism, attracts thousands of visitors annually. The altercation and subsequent fallout have left a significant mark on the community, with many expressing hope for a resolution that upholds the values of their faith.