NYC Mayor Faces Pressure to Act After Car Rams Jewish Center

Mayor Mamdani under scrutiny for response to anti-Semitic attack at Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters

Feb. 1, 2026 at 4:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 36-year-old New Jersey man is facing hate crime charges for ramming his car into the entrance of the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters, a Jewish religious center, in Brooklyn. The incident has sparked outrage in the Jewish community and put pressure on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to take stronger action against anti-Semitism.

Why it matters

The attack on the Chabad center is the latest in a string of incidents targeting Jewish institutions in New York City, raising concerns about the rise of anti-Semitism. Mayor Mamdani, who has faced previous allegations of anti-Semitism, is now under pressure to demonstrate a clear plan to combat hate crimes and protect the city's Jewish community.

The details

Cell phone footage captured the chaos as Dan Sohail, 36, rammed his sedan into the front doors of the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where people were praying inside. Sohail has a history of previous interactions with Jewish centers, including a disturbance call outside a South Brunswick Chabad where he told police he was trying to convert, and video showing him dancing with yeshiva students at the same Chabad in Crown Heights two weeks ago.

  • On January 28, 2026, a man intentionally crashed his car into the entrance of the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn.
  • Less than 24 hours after the attack on Wednesday night, the City Council announced a new bi-partisan task force to fight anti-Semitic hate.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who is facing pressure from Jewish groups to take stronger action against anti-Semitism.

Jessica Tisch

The New York City Police Commissioner who held a press conference with Mayor Mamdani at the scene of the attack.

Dan Sohail

A 36-year-old New Jersey man who is facing hate crime charges for ramming his car into the entrance of the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters.

Julie Menin

The New York City Council Speaker who announced a new bi-partisan task force to fight anti-Semitic hate.

Motti Seligson

The director of media for Chabad who pushed for unity in an interview on 77WABC's Cats and Cosby.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is deeply alarming, especially given the deep meaning and history of the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Twitter)

“I want to see Mamdani now take action.”

— Inna Vernikov, New York City Council Member (City & State)

What’s next

The City Council's new bi-partisan task force to fight anti-Semitic hate will be led by Council Members Eric Dinowitz and Inna Vernikov. Additionally, City Council Speaker Julie Menin is proposing new legislation to create 100-foot buffer zones for protests outside synagogues and other houses of worship.

The takeaway

The attack on the Chabad center highlights the ongoing challenge of combating anti-Semitism in New York City. Mayor Mamdani's response will be closely watched, as he faces pressure to move beyond condemnation and take concrete steps to protect the city's Jewish community and address the root causes of hate.