The Hasidic Jewish students who dug a secret tunnel under a Brooklyn synagogue are facing a tough decision as they reject plea deals that would ban them from the historic temple for three years. The 13 young men, including rabbinical students, were charged after being discovered hiding inside a hole in a wall they had damaged at the headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.
One of the defendants, Yaakov Rothchild, expressed that being banned from 770 Eastern Parkway, the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters, would be worse than jail. Despite facing felony charges of second-degree criminal mischief and the possibility of seven years in prison, Rothchild and his co-defendants are refusing to accept the plea deal offered by prosecutors.
Their attorney, Jonathan Fink, dismissed the proposed trial date of January 13, 2025, as “silly,” citing the complexity of the case. The plea deal would have most defendants pleading down to a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree criminal mischief in exchange for a three-year ban from the synagogue, 20 days of community service, or a $5,000 restitution.
The prosecutor argued that the ban was necessary as the defendants had shown a willingness to continue their actions, referencing their behavior at arraignments where they posed with a sign saying “Expand 770.” However, the judge suggested that the terms of the restraining order could be adjusted to allow the students access to the synagogue under certain conditions.
Only one defendant, Menachem Molekandov, who lives in Israel, is considering accepting the plea deal. Molekandov appeared virtually to plead guilty but there was a disagreement over the type of community work he would be required to do. Despite reassurances that he would stay away from the synagogue, Molekandov has a warrant out for his arrest.
The Chabad-Lubavitch synagogue, known as 770, holds great significance for the defendants, who used shovels to dig a secret tunnel under the building during the pandemic. The synagogue is a sacred place for studying the teachings of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the “Rebbe,” who advocated for expanding the building before his death in 1994.
The defendants are due back in court on November 14th, with the possibility of facing trial in January if they do not reach an agreement with prosecutors. Despite the potential consequences, they remain steadfast in their refusal to accept the plea deals that would ban them from the historic synagogue. The world of technology is constantly evolving, with new advancements being made every day. From the latest gadgets to cutting-edge software, there is always something new and exciting to discover. One area that has seen significant growth in recent years is artificial intelligence (AI).
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