A co-founder of a prominent progressive digital video agency that produced online campaign ads for Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s winning bid drew scrutiny after making a disputed claim about the man accused of targeting Jewish New Yorkers during Shabbat services at a Manhattan synagogue, The Post has learned.
“Apparently this guy was an orthodox jew who was lashing out at jews. I wouldn’t call that an ‘antisemitic attack,’” Debbie Saslaw wrote on X, sharing a Post report about the arrest that described the incident as an “antisemitic attack.”
Prosecutors, however, have treated the case as hate-motivated. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office charged the suspect, Larry Montes, with two counts of assault as a hate crime, two counts of aggravated harassment and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime in connection with the Friday night incident at Central Synagogue on the Upper East Side.
Melted Solids, the firm Saslaw co-founded, highlights its work for Mamdani’s campaign on its website and promotional materials.
The agency has also been involved in campaign work for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, House Democratic nominees Brad Lander and Claire Valdez, former Rep. Jamaal Bowman and other progressive political figures.
Saslaw, who served as a “senior producer” for Mamdani’s campaign, said she is no longer connected to Mamdani or the campaign operation.
Montes, who lives in the Bronx, allegedly told police his actions were driven by religion and referred to people worshiping inside the synagogue as “swine” and “fake Jews,” Assistant District Attorney Ali Fazal said during a court appearance Saturday night.
Fazal said the 46-year-old defendant “intentionally struck a 63-year-old worshipper’s face,” leaving the woman with a cut lip and causing her to fall to the ground.
Prosecutors said Montes then “grabbed and threw two religious candles and candle holders, causing them to break,” valued at around $10,000 each.
“In addition to having animus towards Jewish individuals, the defendant admitted to having racial animus towards black people,” the ADA said during Montes’ arraignment.
“Before exiting the building, the defendant turned his attention away from the worshippers onto the security guard… a 65-year-old African American man,” the ADA added.
He also allegedly yelled “f–k the Jews,” sources said.
Saslaw deleted her statement from X, but not before someone screengrabbed it — and she later acknowledged it was a hate crime.
“Sadly it’s a hate crime and i was obviously panicked when i heard early reports but saw nothing on twitter for 4 hours or so,” Saslaw said in a reply on her X account.
Someone responding to her post said he thought Montes might be a “Jews for Jesus” adherent.
“Yeah perhaps that is what i mixed this up with,” Saslaw said.
“I… do not think that guy is Orthodox. Look at him! I have seen zero reporting he is Orthodox. The Sephardic community in the Bronx is super small. Where are you getting this?” another user, Nick Rizzo, then asked Saslaw.
“Family member was there but i could have been confused. will delete if so,” she replied.
Contacted by the Post on Sunday, Saslaw said, “I was obviously mistaken.”
She said she was “mixed up” about whether Montes himself was Jewish.
“I never questioned whether it was a hate crime,” Saslaw claimed.
“I’m extremely disturbed. I was extremely upset by the whole thing,” she added, noting that a family member attended the Central Synagogue Shabbat service.
