On a cold Saturday morning in January 2022, Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, was a quiet sanctuary in a small community. As Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker prepared to lead a livestreamed service, a man, later identified as Malik Faisal Akram, arrived at the synagogue. His presence would change the course of the day forever.
A new documentary, ‘Colleyville’, directed by award-winning filmmaker Dani Menkin, reveals never-before-seen footage from the synagogue’s thirteen security cameras, documenting the harrowing events 11 hour hostage crisis in real time. The film offers a chilling but deeply human look at the bravery of the hostages and the resilience of a threatened community.
The day started with an act of kindness. Security footage shows Akram ringing the doorbell and being welcomed inside by Cytron-Walker, who offers him tea and a place to warm up. “I was just trying to do what we do on any other day: offer kindness and welcome,” the rabbi said.
TEXAS OFFICIALS RESPOND TO NEWS OF HOSTAGE SITUATION AT COLLEYVILLE SYNAGOGUE
Security footage shows Rabbi Cytron-Walker with Malik Faisal Akram pointing his gun at him. (Courtesy: Hey Jude Productions)
But at 10:40 am the atmosphere changed dramatically. Akram pulled out a gun and made the four present hostages. ‘I have semi-automatic weapons. I have them two bombs, 80% of Jewish people will die if you don’t obey,” he shouted.
The security footage, first revealed in “Colleyville,” captures every tense moment. Akram’s demands focused on the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, known as “Lady Al-Qaeda,” who was being held in a nearby jail in Fort Worth. He believed his actions could force a global intervention, fueled by anti-Semitic conspiracy theories of Jewish control of the world.
“His distorted perception was that President Trump or President Biden would intervene because he held to the anti-Semitic belief that Jews control the world and could influence such a decision,” Menkin told Fox News Digital.
An armed Malik Faisal Akram looks at one of his hostages, Rabbi Cytron-Walker. (Courtesy: Hey Jude Productions)
The film highlights Akram’s increasingly erratic behavior and chilling rhetoric, including his declaration: “I love death more than you Jews love life.” Cytron-Walker said on reflection that Akram “believed all the lies told about the Jewish people – the Jews control the banks, the media, the world. It was a dangerous combination of extremism and anti-Semitism.”
Akram eventually let congregant Larry Schwartz leave. (Courtesy: Hey Jude Productions)
Despite the fear, the hostages worked together to find moments of solidarity and opportunities for action. At one point, Akram allowed elderly congregant 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 feel ill and convinced Akram to let him leave. Before leaving, Shane negotiated to switch places with Larry to ensure the older man’s safety.
As the hours passed, the tension escalated. Akram fired a shot into the ceiling, an alarming act caught on camera. Cytron-Walker, building 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 this was our best chance,” Cytron-Walker told Fox News Digital. In a decisive move, he threw a chair at Akram, creating a window for escape. “We weren’t far from the exit. It was a split-second decision, but it was the result of hours of watching, waiting and thinking.”
The hostages ran out of the synagogue, with Cytron-Walker leading the attack. Moments later, police stormed the building, ending the standoff. None of the hostages were physically injured, although the psychological toll of the ordeal continued. “It was a horrible day, but we had so much to be thankful for,” he said.
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A law enforcement vehicle stands in front of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas on January 16, 2022. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“Colleyville” combines the raw intensity of security footage with gripping storytelling, giving viewers an unflinching look at the rise of anti-Semitism and the enduring power of those who encounter it. “The footage itself was something that hadn’t been seen before,” Menkin said. “It’s incredibly rare to see a drama like this unfold in such a cinematic way. The raw emotions, the tension – it’s a terrifying reminder of the danger of hateful ideologies.”
Cytron-Walker, who had long been an advocate for interfaith engagement, emphasized the importance of balancing Jewish values with safety. “Love the stranger is a lot harder than loving your neighbor,” he said. “But we also have to protect ourselves.” Since the crisis, his synagogue has significantly increased its security budget.
Released at a time of rising anti-Semitism worldwide, Cyrton-Walker said: “We are seeing more of this kind of hatred,” adding: “It is even more important now to love the stranger while ensuring proper safety. “
