**Men Charged in Brooklyn Synagogue Tunnel Scuffle Face April Trial**
Four men accused of damaging a Brooklyn synagogue during a melee that followed the discovery of a secret tunnel at the global headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement of Hasidic Judaism are set to stand trial after turning down a plea deal offered by prosecutors. The men face felony criminal mischief charges for their alleged role in a brawl last January that damaged parts of the famed complex, a deeply revered Jewish site that receives thousands of visitors annually.
Scores of young men had gathered to protest an attempt by synagogue leaders to seal off a makeshift tunnel that some congregants had dug without permission in an effort to expand the worship space. When police arrived, prosecutors say some of the men ripped wooden siding off the wall, flung prayer books in the air, and refused to leave the dusty excavation site.
Sixteen people were arrested following the altercation, with six defendants pleading guilty to lesser charges and agreeing to an order of protection that prohibits them from making alterations to the synagogue. Six others have previously pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
**The Trial Ahead**
Four of the defendants — Yaakov Rothchild, Yisroel Binyamin, Yerachmiel Blumenfeld, and Menachem Maidanchik — declined the plea deal offered by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. They are scheduled to face trial on April 28 on a felony charge that carries a maximum prison sentence of 7 years.
Jonathan Strauss, an attorney for Blumenfeld, called the charges an “outrage” and described his client as a participant in a “civil dispute that’s been going on for many, many years.” He emphasized that his client, a 20-year-old, was influenced by older individuals in authority.
**The Conflicting Views**
Proponents of the tunnel claimed they were carrying out the wishes of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the longtime leader of the Chabad movement. Some members of the Chabad community believe Schneerson is still alive and the messiah. However, Chabad’s administrators rejected this view, labeling the tunnel as an act of youth vandalism.
Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesman for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, condemned the actions, emphasizing that there was no justification for the lawless and violent behavior displayed during the incident.
**The Aftermath**
The tunnel, spanning 60 feet long and 8 feet wide, connected multiple buildings in the Jewish complex through holes cut in basement walls. An investigation by the Department of Buildings revealed that the excavation had destabilized nearby buildings, leading to vacate orders. The tunnel has since been filled with cement, restoring stability to the area.
By recounting this tale, we are reminded of the importance of engaging in constructive dialogue and following proper channels when faced with disagreements. It serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences that can arise from acting impulsively and without proper authorization. Let this be a lesson to us all about the value of communication and collaboration in resolving conflicts and working towards a common goal.
