Police arrested Jonathan Toubes, 25, on Monday after he allegedly harassed people at Temple Moses, a Sephardic synagogue in Miami Beach’s Normandy Isle, near where he lives.
Officers took Toubes into custody at 11:50 p.m. Monday near Bay Drive and Marseille Drive after speaking with Rabbi Daniel Haddad and other witnesses.
Toubes, who resides near the synagogue at 1200 Normandy Drive, was riding a scooter when he reportedly stopped to shout at a man outside the synagogue on September 16. Witnesses said he shouted, “Free Palestine!”, “Christ is King!”, and “Get out of my neighborhood!”
A witness told police that Toubes, who had previously confronted him at a local market, was “circling the area,” according to the Miami Beach police report. A synagogue security worker warned Toubes that his words and actions were making people feel threatened. Toubes allegedly “continued to aggressively express his anti-Jewish views,” insisting he had a right to express himself before leaving the area.
Temple Moses also houses Moses Montessori, offering Torah learning and Hebrew language classes.
Prosecutors charged Toubes with two counts: a felony for disturbing schools and religious or other assemblies, and a misdemeanor for harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on religion and ethnic heritage. His bond was set at $2,500 for the felony and $1,000 for the misdemeanor.
Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Christine Hernandez will preside over the felony case, while Judge Stephanie Silver will handle the misdemeanor case. His arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. on November 21.
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