In a disturbing act of violence over Memorial Day weekend, a Baltimore rabbi was attacked while taking out the trash near his home in the city’s Northwest neighborhood. Thanks to a legally owned firearm, he managed to scare off his assailants and survive the assault.
According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the incident occurred around 9 p.m. Saturday night in the 7100 block of Park Heights Avenue. Police reported that “a 62-year-old man was taking trash out” when “two men approached the victim, assaulted him, knocked him to the ground and tried to steal his car.” When they failed to start the vehicle, they returned to continue the attack—only to be met with a drawn gun.
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“The assailants ran off,” police said. The rabbi, who has a valid handgun permit, suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Baltimore City Councilman Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer said he spoke with the rabbi shortly after the incident and emphasized the brutal and cowardly nature of the attack: “Just the brazenness of the incident, where they have no problem going and attacking, you know, an older person, somebody clearly who’s a person of faith—he was still dressed in all of his attire coming from synagogue—and so, it’s really very upsetting.”
Rabbi Velvel Belinsky added, “When we hear about events like this, it’s definitely very disturbing because safety is a very big concern for us… Unfortunately, he’s hurt. He was punched very, very hard, and I’m wishing him a speedy recovery.”
As of the latest report, no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
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Since the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, antisemitism has not just reemerged—it has exploded. Jewish communities around the globe, including in American cities once thought safe, have seen threats, assaults, and open hatred become alarmingly normalized. This brazen attack in Baltimore is just the latest example.
That a rabbi must carry a handgun simply to take out the trash is a tragic commentary on the state of our society. Jewish people are being forced to arm themselves, not out of paranoia, but out of necessity. From college campuses to city streets, the mask is off and the hatred is visible.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
