Chabad spokesperson addresses vehicle attack at NYC Jewish center

Chabad Responds After Car Crashes Into NYC Headquarters

Chabad is making headlines after a driver was taken into custody for allegedly ramming his car into the Jewish organization’s headquarters in New York City. The motives behind this act are currently under investigation.

Motti Seligson, the media director for Chabad, mentioned that they have seen substantial support from elected officials following the incident. He noted that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand reached out to them the morning after the crash. Seligson also expressed appreciation for the quick response from New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

A video that’s been circulating online depicted the vehicle striking a side door of the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters multiple times. Initially, the vehicle hit the entrance, backed up, and then crashed into it again.

Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, often simply called “770,” is an iconic building not just functioning as a synagogue but also serving as a community hub for learning and gathering since it became the headquarters for the Chabad-Lubavitch Chasidic movement in 1940.

While there were no reported injuries from the crash, the NYPD’s Bomb Squad inspected the vehicle and found no explosives. The driver claimed he had “slipped” and made remarks to the police when they tried to stop him.

Though the motive remains unclear, several officials, including Mayor Mamdani, have suggested it was an anti-Semitic attack. He stated that incidents like this are deeply disturbing, especially given the significance of the facility for many individuals locally and globally. Mamdani emphasized that threats to Jewish places of worship must be taken seriously and that anti-Semitism has no place in their community.

Governor Kathy Hochul also commented on the situation, implying its links to a recent assault on a rabbi in New York City. She stated, “For the second day in a row, Jewish New Yorkers have been the targets of anti-Semitic violence.” Thankfully, no one was injured in these recent events, but attacks on Jewish individuals reflect broader issues concerning safety and community.

This series of events is part of a broader context of rising anti-Semitic incidents, which continue to raise concerns among community leaders and officials alike.