Four men are set to go on trial for their alleged roles in damaging a Brooklyn synagogue during a brawl that erupted following the discovery of a secret tunnel at the Chabad-Lubavitch movement’s headquarters. These men have rejected a plea deal from prosecutors.
The defendants are charged with felony criminal mischief related to a January incident that damaged parts of this important Jewish site, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. The conflict arose when a group of young men protested against plans by synagogue leaders to close off an unauthorized tunnel dug by some congregants. This tunnel was intended to expand the worship area.
Authorities claim that when police arrived at the scene, the men engaged in destructive behavior, including tearing off wooden siding and throwing prayer books around the site. This altercation resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals, and portions of the incident were recorded, sparking significant attention on social media.
During a recent court meeting, six defendants accepted lesser charges and agreed to avoid making any alterations to the synagogue for three years. Several others had already pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
Judge Adam Perlmutter expressed disappointment, noting that the synagogue’s leadership should have been consulted about the expansion plans. He emphasized the importance of the proper process for building and zoning.
The four men who declined the plea deal—Yaakov Rothchild, Yisroel Binyamin, Yerachmiel Blumenfeld, and Menachem Maidanchik—are set to stand trial on April 28 and face a felony charge that carries a potential seven-year prison sentence.
Blumenfeld’s attorney, Jonathan Strauss, criticized the charges, asserting that his client was merely involved in what has been a long-standing civil dispute, and suggested that young people often look to older individuals for guidance in such matters.
Supporters of the tunnel claimed they were acting in line with the wishes of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a pivotal figure in the Chabad movement known for advocating the expansion of their facilities. However, Chabad leadership has distanced itself from this claim, labeling the tunneling as vandalism.
Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesman for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, condemned the actions of those involved, stating that there is no justification for their violent and illegal behavior. He expressed hope that they would reflect on their actions and seek to make amends for the harm they caused.
The tunnel itself, measuring 60 feet long and 8 feet wide, connected various buildings in the complex through openings in basement walls. An investigation by the Department of Buildings found that this excavation had compromised the structural integrity of nearby buildings, leading to evacuation orders. The tunnel has since been filled in with cement.
