The riot inside the synagogue
A secret tunnel was discovered at the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn. The tunnel was located at the renowned Rabbi Lubavitch study hall known as "770".
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The incident began during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown when synagogues and study centers were closed by government order to curb the virus spread. A group of disgruntled youth, dissatisfied with the closure of the "770" study center, started a covert excavation to create a tunnel leading to the synagogue, providing them access to the premises. The excavation progressed slowly and remained undiscovered until just a few weeks ago, during installation work in the area.
Emergency personnel in the Crown Heights neighborhood, where the central Chabad synagogue is located, expressed concerns about potential damage to public safety and worshippers, prompting a partial closure of the area. On Monday a concrete mixer truck arrived to seal the pit. The group of young individuals, realizing their plan was being thwarted, hastily broke the wall leading to the tunnel from the main study center, claiming a desire to expand the facility, according to their statements.
This action caused a significant commotion, and within minutes, a large police force was called by Chabad officials. The police, using tear gas, quickly apprehended the individuals and took them into custody. According to reports from New York, a total of 10 young people were arrested.
Official representatives of Chabad, including rabbis and authorized institutions overseeing the order in the location, promptly distanced themselves from the incident, condemning it sharply. Meanwhile, the site has been closed pending the completion of sealing the pit, repairs to the damages, and ensuring the safety of worshippers.