Driver repeatedly crashes into New York synagogue
The New York City Police Department and the Department of Justice are looking into a potential hate crime after a vehicle crashed into the door of the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Brooklyn multiple times on Wednesday.
A man, Dan Sohail, 36, from New Jersey, received a prison sentence of six months and one week for driving his car into the Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters back in January. He was also ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution. Given he has already served six months, he is expected to be released soon.
Sohail was charged with intentionally damaging religious property and admitted guilt in May.
Prosecutors sought a longer sentence—14 months total—arguing that a more serious penalty would deter future attacks on Jewish institutions, especially with a rise in anti-Semitic incidents. However, the judge opted for a shorter sentence.
On January 28, Sohail drove his car into the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters several times. He moved a security barrier, gestured for his followers to move aside, and struck the side door five times, damaging it and his vehicle.
While the door suffered damage, thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Judge Eric N. Vitaliano commented that it was “somewhat saddening” the Justice Department seemed to influence perceptions of the case, initially labeling it a hate crime.
Before sentencing, it was revealed that in New York City, out of the 146 hate crimes this year, 80 targeted Jews or Jewish groups.
Vitaliano mentioned that the heavier penalties sought by the government stemmed from the incident being branded as a “Jew-hating crime” or worse. He also referred to a psychiatric report noting that Sohail’s mental health issues “played a significant role” in the case.
“This is a sad story,” he remarked.
Sohail’s attorney, Mia Eisner Greenberg, explained that he had been facing mental health challenges and was trying to find a place in the Jewish community.
In court, Greenberg pointed out Sohail’s struggles with depression and PTSD stemming from a traumatic experience in his childhood, indicating his desperate search for belonging and understanding through Judaism. She noted he had attended the Chabad that he eventually targeted, describing the rabbinical students there as “warm and welcoming.”
Following a visit to Israel, Greenberg stated he had returned feeling unstable and extremely anxious, pleading for help from Chabad members. The act of crashing into the building, she suggested, was an “unreasonable cry for help.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
