What began as a calm winter evening quickly spiraled into panic when a shocking scene unfolded outside one of Judaism’s most significant landmarks.
Onlookers could hardly believe what they were seeing as a car repeatedly crashed into a historic synagogue, leaving witnesses stunned and scrambling to get to safety.
Car Rams Into Chabad Headquarters
The incident took place late Wednesday night, around 8:45 p.m., when a dark-colored Honda sedan drove into the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters, widely known simply as “770.”
The building sits at the heart of the Chabad movement and is instantly recognizable to Jewish communities around the world.
Police were called to the scene after the car was seen forcefully slamming into the synagogue’s entrance multiple times.
Officers arrived swiftly and took the driver into custody.
As of now, no charges have been filed, and authorities say the investigation is still ongoing.
Disturbing Video Captures the Moment
Footage of the terrifying episode quickly spread online after being shared on X by Rabbi Yaacov Behrman.
The video shows the Honda, bearing New Jersey license plates, driving back and forth as it repeatedly rams the synagogue doors.
Several men can be seen standing nearby on patches of snow left behind by a recent winter storm.
As the car struggles to gain traction on the icy ground, the group shouts warnings, urging people to move out of the way while the vehicle crashes into the entrance at least three times.
Panic Builds as Police Approach
As the clip continues, tension rises.
The car appears to skid and lurch as it keeps striking the building, making the situation even more alarming.
Near the end of the footage, voices can be heard yelling “police,” just as flashing emergency lights seem to reflect off the snow-covered ground.
Witnesses later claimed the driver shouted at people to clear the area while driving toward the synagogue, raising concerns that the act may have been deliberate.
Thankfully, officials confirmed that no injuries were reported.
Synagogue Evacuated as Investigation Continues
As a precaution, the synagogue was evacuated shortly after the incident.
The New York Police Department has not yet confirmed whether the crash was intentional, saying the matter remains under active investigation.
The Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey responded quickly, issuing a statement expressing deep concern.
The organization emphasized that 770 Eastern Parkway is not just a synagogue but also the global headquarters of Chabad and a powerful symbol of Jewish faith worldwide.
They praised the NYPD for making a swift arrest and said they are working closely with law enforcement to monitor developments.
Why 770 Matters So Much
The building struck in the incident holds enormous historical and spiritual importance.
New York is home to the largest Hasidic population outside Israel, and 770 Eastern Parkway sits at the very center of that community’s life.
The synagogue once served as the base of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century.
After fleeing Nazi Germany, he spent decades building a global network of schools and community centers, helping revive a Hasidic world nearly destroyed by the Holocaust before his death in 1994.
A Site With a Complicated Recent History
The synagogue also made headlines in early 2024, when police discovered a secret tunnel beneath the building.
The roughly 60-foot passage led to the arrest of nine young men, aged between 19 and 21, on charges including criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.
What Happens From Here
For now, investigators are working to determine the driver’s motive and whether the act was intentional.
Community leaders and residents remain on edge but relieved that no one was hurt.
As authorities continue their inquiry, attention remains firmly fixed on what led to such a frightening breach at one of New York City’s most sacred and symbolic religious sites.
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