The Queens Rabbi ignored the growing commotion in a historic Synagogue and continued to pray until “extremists” tore down the interior walls, leading to the discovery an underground tunnel.
The underground space was created by a group of Orthodox Hasidic Students who thought they were fulfilling a religious call to expand the Chabad Lubavitch World headquarters in Brooklyn New York.
Tensions erupted after a cement truck arrived to fill in the hole. The agitators became louder and larger. The chants grew louder.
In viral videos, the NYPD was called in to restore order. However, the rabblers clashed violently with responding police officers. Nine students were arrested in total.
CRASHES OVER UNDERGROUND TUNNELS OF SYNAGOGUE CAUGHT ON CAMERA GO VIRAL
NYPD arrests a student who was removed from the hole in the wall that led to the tunnel dug by the students. (Bruce Schaff/AP).
Queens Rabbi Shaul Valueheimer could no longer ignore the chaos and described how cops flooded into the synagogue.
Rabbi Wertheimer, speaking to Fox News Digital, said: “I had no idea what was happening, but I glanced at the side and noticed that part of the wall was missing and there appeared to be a hole under what ostensibly was part of women’s area.”
“Things escalated.” “I saw that something was wrong over there. I saw some students sitting in the cavity.”
NYC Mayor ADAMS REVERSES NYPD Budget Cuts Planned Due to City’s Spiraling Migrant Crisis
Officers pulled students from the opening described by Wertheimer, zip-tied them and placed them on benches. Other cops held up the perimeter to prevent the crowd from rushing into the middle.
Nine Orthodox Hasidic Students – in their late teens or early 20s – were charged with disorderly conduct and issued summonses, according to an NYPD spokesperson.
Jewish Students sit behind a hole in a wall that led to the tunnel they dug in New York. . (Bruce Schaff/AP).
Motti Seligson, Chabad’s spokesperson, called the “extremist students” who appeared to think they were carrying out the vision of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Snowrson, the former leader of the Chabad Movement.
According to Wertheimer the idea of expanding the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters building at 770 Eastern Parkway, also known as “770”, is a worthy cause that is much needed.
BIDEN RAINS SHARP REACTIONS FOR STATING HE IS ‘QUIETLY WORKING TO GET ISRAEL OUT Of Gaza
Zalmy Grossman (21), a Brooklyn resident, told The Norman Transcript, “That’s exactly what the Rabbi wants. That’s exactly what everyone wants.”
The news outlet reported that he said the tunnel project was started late last year to connect “the entire empty space” behind the synagogue.
Jewish Students Riot against NYPD Officers who were called by the NYPD to inspect a tunnel that students had dug beneath a synagogue in New York.
The New York Post reported that “extremists”, who began digging the tunnel using “crude tools and their hands,” went too far.
These young men started off by digging and putting dirt in their pockets. “They dug up the dirt and put it in their pockets,” Eitan K. Kalmowitz told the NYC paper.
Kalmowitz, who spoke to the Post, said that the small group hired migrant laborers to complete the work. He claimed they slept in the building for “weeks.”
CrownHeights.info first reported the underground tunnel or space, as it is called by some members of the community, in late December.
The outlet uploaded a video on their Instagram page.
ISRAELI/AMERICAN RAPPER KOSHA DILLZ FEARLESSLY EMBRACES HERITAGE AND SKEWERS ANTISEMITISM In VIRAL VIDEOS
Seligson, Chabad’s spokesperson, did not respond to Fox News Digital’s email request for confirmation of the Post’s report or to answer other questions.
He made his latest public statement around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, when he said: “This episode was deeply painful for both us and the Jewish community.”
Seligson stated that “on Monday evening we alerted authorities to the destruction of the synagogue’s premises and the vandalism.” The building was evacuated later that night with the help of the NYPD to stop the vandalism, and allow the building to be evaluated for safety.
The NYC Department of Buildings has released its findings of an investigation.
During its investigation on Tuesday, the NYC Department of Buildings found a single underground tunnel measuring 60 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and a ceiling of 5 feet.
According to the building department which confirmed that there were no permits or approvals, the tunnel was empty. This resulted in a two-violation.
The building department informed Fox News Digital via email that the tunnel had inadequate rudimentary support and wall openings were created at several basement levels of adjacent buildings.
(Google Street view)
The illegal work “undermined structural stability” in 770 which was temporarily closed, as well as another building where the fire-rated walls had been removed on the first and second floors of the basement.
The building department issued an emergency work order to stabilize the illegal excavation immediately and ordered the owners of 784-786 Eastern Parkway to seal up any openings behind them.
Andrew Rudansky is the spokesperson for the NYC Department of Buildings. He said that they have been on site since Tuesday, and are continuing to monitor the situation. “We’re ready to take further actions if necessary,” he added.
Jewish Students Riot against NYPD Officers who were called by the NYPD to inspect a tunnel that students had dug beneath a synagogue in New York.
Rabbis condemn extremist activity
Many rabbis including Wertheimer condemned the actions of the students and expressed their hope that they receive any assistance they may need.
The Queens Rabbi said, “I don’t excuse their actions.” “But I’d have to assume that someone who is willing to vandalize, deface and destroy a synagogue – their own synagogue – needs a little help. I hope they can get it.”
Click Here to Download the FOX News App
After seeing the walls of the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters torn down, Wertheimer couldn’t find the words.
It’s very sad. It’s very sad. I don’t understand. “It’s difficult to explain,” said he. The building itself is of great significance.
The building is a symbol of the Lubavitch Rebe, the Chabad-Lubavitch leaders and their vision to change the world. It’s heartbreaking to see it literally defaced.