A historic synagogue in Queens was the site of a chaotic incident when a group of Orthodox Hasidic students tore down interior walls, revealing an underground tunnel.
The students believed they were fulfilling a religious duty to expand the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. However, the excavation was unauthorized, leading to tensions and a clash with law enforcement. Nine students were arrested in the ensuing chaos.
Rabbi Shaul Wertheimer, who was praying in a separate room when the situation escalated, described the scene as police flooded into the synagogue. He noticed a missing section of the wall and a cavity beneath what was supposed to be the women's section. As the situation escalated, more police officers arrived, and Wertheimer saw young students sitting in the cavity.
The students were pulled out of the opening, their wrists zip-tied, and they were seated on benches while other officers maintained order. In total, nine Orthodox Hasidic students, ranging in age from late teens to early 20s, were arrested and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Three others were issued summonses.
The students involved in the incident, referred to as "extremists" by Chabad spokesperson Motti Seligson, believed they were fulfilling the vision of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the former head of the Chabad movement. The expansion of the building was seen as a necessary and worthy cause by many in the Orthodox community.
According to Zalmy Grossman, a 21-year-old Brooklyn resident, the tunnel project began as a way to connect the synagogue with the empty space behind it. However, the situation escalated when the "extremists" began digging the tunnel using crude instruments and their hands. Eventually, they hired migrant workers to complete the job, with some workers reportedly sleeping in the tunnel for weeks.
The illegal excavation and the existence of the tunnel were first reported by CrownHeights.info in late December. The Chabad spokesperson, Seligson, did not respond to requests for confirmation or further information.
The New York City Department of Buildings conducted an investigation and found a 60-foot-long underground tunnel, approximately 8 feet wide and 5 feet high. The tunnel was empty except for dirt, tools, and debris. The investigation revealed that there were no permits or approvals for the work, resulting in two violations. The tunnel's inadequate shoring and the creation of wall openings in adjacent buildings compromised the structural stability of the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters and a neighboring building.
As a result, the building was temporarily closed, and emergency work orders were issued to stabilize the illegal excavation. The owners were also instructed to seal the openings behind the neighboring buildings.
Rabbis, including Rabbi Wertheimer, denounced the actions of the students but expressed hope that they would receive the necessary help. Wertheimer was deeply saddened by the destruction of the synagogue, emphasizing its significance and the vision of the Lubavitch Rebbe for positive change in the world.
The incident at the historic synagogue has left the Jewish community in pain and raised questions about the actions of the students involved. While the desire to expand the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters may have been well-intentioned, the unauthorized excavation and destruction of the synagogue have caused significant damage. The investigation into the incident continues, and the authorities are prepared to take further action if necessary.
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