A 63-year-old woman who was injured during a disturbing incident at a Manhattan synagogue is speaking out with a message of strength and resilience.

Michele Anenberg-Poma said she was attacked during Friday night’s service at Central Synagogue in New York City. Following the incident, she shared a photo showing her injuries and addressed the person responsible in a powerful message.

“You will not punch out our Jewish light,” Anenberg-Poma wrote. “You will not stand and cause harm to our eternal light.”

According to authorities, a 46-year-old Bronx man allegedly disrupted the service and made hostile and antisemitic remarks before becoming physically aggressive toward people inside the synagogue.

A security guard reportedly attempted to intervene, while Anenberg-Poma was also among those affected during the confrontation.

The suspect, Larry Montes, was arrested and charged with assault as a hate crime and criminal mischief as a hate crime. Prosecutors also cited previous encounters with the law while requesting that he remain in custody.

Despite what happened, Anenberg-Poma refused to let the incident define her message.

“We will continue to sing our prayers of peace, love, and joy,” she wrote, reaffirming her commitment to the synagogue and its community.

Her response quickly drew messages of support from people who praised her decision to speak publicly after the attack.

The incident has renewed concerns about safety at places of worship and the impact of antisemitism in New York City. City officials condemned the attack and stressed that religious communities should be able to gather without fear.

For Anenberg-Poma, the message is clear: the incident may have left physical and emotional scars, but it will not extinguish the sense of community and faith she says Central Synagogue represents.

Her words have since resonated far beyond the synagogue — turning a frightening night into a message of courage, solidarity and resilience.