New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Crashing into Brooklyn Synagogue

A New Jersey man facing personal issues crashed his car into a historic Brooklyn synagogue while attempting to convert to Judaism. On Wednesday, Dan Sohari, 36, entered a guilty plea regarding federal charges related to the incident.

Sohari pleaded guilty to damaging religious property following the January 28 attack on the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters located at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights.

It seems that Sohari had developed a deep interest in Judaism and targeted the synagogue on the significant anniversary of its leader’s death after experiencing rejection from multiple synagogues in New Jersey.

During the attack on January 28, he drove onto a ramp at the Chabad building, instructing witnesses to move out of his way before he forcefully drove his Honda Accord into a side entrance. He reportedly crashed into the entrance multiple times until the front bumper of his car sustained severe damage.

While the door to the synagogue was ripped off its hinges, fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Upon his arrest at the scene, Sohari alleged that he had lost control of his vehicle. Interestingly, just ten days prior, he had been recorded dancing joyfully with worshipers at the same synagogue.

He had reportedly become increasingly attached to Judaism and sought advice from various religious leaders. However, a rabbi revealed that Sohari was removed from a yeshiva close to his home on January 26, shortly before his erratic behavior escalated, especially when requested to leave. “He claimed that God had sent him,” the rabbi stated.

The rabbi noted that the situation hadn’t seemed serious at the time. “We didn’t make a big deal out of it. There was no police report. We didn’t identify him. It was just a nuisance,” he added.

Though many who encountered Sohari sensed he was “not in the best of spirits,” they also observed his genuine curiosity about faith.

“Many characters come and go here. In hindsight, he’s not the ideal person you’d want at 770, but it’s a welcoming space. Thank God no one got hurt,” commented Mendy Klein, a Chabad-Lubavitch congregant.

Sohari now faces the possibility of a three-year prison sentence. The state hate crime charges initially brought against him for disorderly conduct were dismissed in favor of federal charges.

“The defendant’s reckless actions targeted the religious freedom and right to worship that all Americans deserve,” noted Assistant Attorney General Dillon. “Today’s guilty plea sends a strong message that the Department of Justice will not stand for acts of hatred and violence against religious institutions.”