A new documentary reveals an anti-Semitic hostage siege caught on camera in a Texas synagogue
On a cold Saturday morning in January 2022, Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, was a quiet haven in a small community. As Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker prepared to lead the live service, a man, later identified as Malik Faisal Akram, arrived at the synagogue. His presence would change the course of the day forever.
The new documentary, “Colleyville,” directed by award-winning director Dani Menkin, reveals never-before-seen footage from 13 security cameras in the synagogue, documenting the shocking The 11th hour hostage crisis in real time. The film offers a chilling but deeply human look at the bravery of hostages and the resilience of a community under threat.
The day started with an act of kindness. Security footage shows Akram ringing the doorbell and being welcomed in by Cytron-Walker, who offers him tea and a place to warm up. “I was just trying to do what we do every other day: offer kindness and welcome,” the rabbi said.
TEXAS OFFICIALS RESPOND TO NEWS OF COLLEYVILLE SYNAGOGUE HOSTAGE SITUATION
Security footage shows Rabbi Cytron-Walker with Malik Faisal Akram holding a gun on him. (Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)
But at 10:40 the atmosphere changed dramatically. Akram took out a gun and turned the four present into hostages. “I have semi-automatic rifles. I do two bombs, 80% of Jews will die if you don’t comply,” he shouted.
The security footage, first released in “Colleyville,” captures every tense moment. Akram’s demands were aimed at the release of dr. Aafie Siddiqui, known as the “Lady al-Qaeda”, incarcerated in a nearby prison in Fort Worth. He believed that his actions could provoke a global intervention, prompted antisemitic conspiracy theories about Jewish world control.
“His skewed perception was that either President Trump or President Biden would intervene, as he held the anti-Semitic belief that the Jews controlled the world and could influence such a decision,” Menkin told Fox News Digital.
Armed Malik Faisal Akram observes one of his hostages, Rabbi Cytron-Walker. (Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)
The film highlights Akram’s increasingly erratic behavior and chilling rhetoric, including his statement: “I love death more than you Jews love life.” On reflection, Cytron-Walker said that Akram “believed all the lies told about the Jews – the Jews control the banks, the media, the world. It was a dangerous combination extremism and anti-Semitism.”
Akram eventually allowed congregant Larry Schwartz to leave. (Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)
Despite their fear, the hostages worked together to find moments of solidarity and opportunities for action. At one point, Akram allowed senior worshiper Larry Schwartz to use the restroom, warning him not to try to escape. Shane Woodward, who was in the process of converting to Judaism, pretended to be ill and convinced Akram to let him go. Before exiting, Shane negotiated a trade with Larry, ensuring the older man’s safety.
As the hours wore on, the tension escalated. Akram fired a shot into the ceiling, an alarming act caught on camera. Cytron-Walker, relying on his training in active shooter scenarios, waited for the right moment. That moment came when Akram held a cup of liquid in his dominant hand, temporarily preventing him from pulling the trigger.
“I saw him holding the cup and I knew it was our best chance,” Cytron-Walker told Fox News Digital. In a decisive move, he threw a chair at Akram, creating an escape window. “We weren’t far from the exit. The decision was made in a split second, but it was the culmination of hours of watching, waiting and thinking.”
The hostages fled the synagogue, with Cytron-Walker leading the charge. Moments later, police stormed the building, breaking up the standoff. None of the hostages were physically injured, although the psychological toll of the ordeal lingered. “It was a terrible day, but we had a lot to be thankful for,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
A police vehicle stands outside Congregation Beth Israel on January 16, 2022 in Colleyville, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“Colleyville” combines the raw intensity of security footage with poignant storytelling, offering viewers an unflinching look at the rise of anti-Semitism and the enduring strength of those who confront it. “The footage itself is something that has never been seen before,” Menkin said. “It’s incredibly rare to see a drama like this unfold in such a cinematic way. The raw emotion, the tension – it’s a terrifying reminder of the danger of hateful ideologies.”
Cytron-Walker, a longtime advocate of interfaith engagement, emphasized the importance of balancing Jewish values and security. “Loving a stranger is much more difficult than loving a neighbor,” he said. “But we have to protect ourselves too.” Since the crisis, his synagogue has significantly increased its security budget.
Released at a time of rising anti-Semitism around the world, Cyrton-Walker said: “We are seeing more and more of this kind of hatred,” adding: “Now it is even more important to love the stranger while ensuring adequate security.”
