The chants echoed across continents – venomous, hateful, and chillingly familiar. “Rape their daughters!” “We are Nazis and proud!” “F--- the Jews!” These weren’t isolated incidents confined to distant lands; they were erupting in Australia, England, and France, accompanied by escalating violence against Jewish communities.
Then, on November 13th, 2024, the hatred crossed an ocean. Outside Congregation Ohr Torah in New Jersey, during an Israeli real estate event, the words “The Jew is here” ripped through the air. Moments later, Altaf Sharif allegedly attacked David Silberberg, forcing a brutal chokehold upon him.
Moshe Glick, a 53-year-old witness, reacted instinctively. Seeing Silberberg struggling for his life, he intervened, swinging a small flashlight in an attempt to break the assault. The chaotic scene led to a glancing blow to Sharif’s head, causing minor cuts.
But the night was far from over. Dozens, faces obscured by keffiyehs, swarmed the synagogue, spewing antisemitic abuse. They screamed accusations at the assembled Jews: “How many babies did you kill today?” The air vibrated with the jarring blast of vuvuzelas, intentionally used as sonic weapons to inflict harm.
Glick, simply seeking to peacefully exist near the synagogue entrance, found himself thrust into the center of a terrifying ordeal. He acted to defend another, and now faced a shocking reversal. Instead of Sharif, the aggressor, it was Glick who found himself facing potential charges – a sentence of five to ten years in prison.
The narrative twisted, fueled by those sympathetic to the attackers. Glick refused to accept a plea deal, believing it a betrayal of truth and justice. He understood this wasn’t merely his fight, but a crucial battle for the civil rights of all who cherish freedom.
In a landmark move, the Department of Justice intervened. Recognizing the injustice, they announced civil charges against Sharif and several other demonstrators, along with two pro-Palestinian groups. This marked the first time the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act – originally designed to protect abortion clinics – was applied to safeguard a house of worship.
The DOJ didn’t rule out further criminal charges, signaling a firm stance against escalating extremism. Synagogues, they affirmed, were becoming targets for violent ideologies. This pattern quickly repeated, with activists descending on Park East Synagogue, openly declaring their intent: “We need to make them scared.”
This case exposed a disturbing trend: a willingness among some officials to side with those perpetrating the hatred. The DOJ’s actions, however, demonstrated a refusal to succumb to this dangerous game. They understood the FACE Act existed for precisely this moment – to hold accountable those who disrupt and intimidate.
The outcome of Glick’s case will resonate far beyond New Jersey. It will determine whether those driven by antisemitism will think twice before unleashing their violence. This isn’t simply about one man; it’s about safeguarding the right to worship without fear.
The threat extends beyond synagogues. The chilling warning – “First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people!” – foreshadows a potential expansion of this hatred to churches and other places of worship. The fight for religious freedom is a fight for all Americans.
The Moshe Glick case is a stark reminder that the ability to worship in peace, free from the threat of violence and intimidation, is not guaranteed. It demands vigilance, courage, and a unwavering commitment to justice from all who value freedom.
