New Jersey Man Faces Prison After Defending Synagogue Amid Rising Antisemitic Protests
WEST ORANGE, N.J. — When Moshe Glick witnessed a violent attack outside Congregation Ohr Torah in New Jersey on November 13, 2024, his instinct was to intervene. Instead, the 53-year-old West Orange resident now faces the prospect of prison time for defending a fellow Jew during what authorities describe as an antisemitic mob protest.
The incident unfolded during an Israeli real estate event when pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered near the synagogue, hurling hateful epithets and disrupting the event with loud vuvuzelas — instruments the U.S. Department of Justice has classified as potential weapons due to their capacity to cause permanent noise-induced hearing loss. Amid the chaos, Altaf Sharif allegedly charged David Silberberg, who attempted to fend off the attack with pepper spray but was overpowered and placed in a chokehold.
Seeing Silberberg in danger, Glick stepped forward, wielding a small flashlight he had on hand. In the melee, Glick’s flashlight inadvertently struck Sharif’s head, causing minor injuries. Sharif refused medical treatment and told officers he was fine. Despite Glick’s attempt to protect a member of his community, prosecutors have charged him, with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office indicating he could face five to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Glick’s case has ignited debate over religious freedom and the right to defend oneself and others from hate-fueled violence. Advocates argue that standing up to antisemitic mobs should not result in criminal penalties. The Anti-Defamation League and other civil rights groups have expressed concern about the increasing frequency of antisemitic protests targeting Jewish institutions across the United States.
The controversy is compounded by the involvement of groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which critics have accused of links to the Muslim Brotherhood, further complicating the narrative surrounding the events that night. While Sharif and his supporters have sought to recast the story, the community and legal observers emphasize the importance of protecting places of worship and the people inside them from intimidation and violence.
Glick has declined a plea deal that would have spared him jail time, stating it would be “contrary to the facts, the law, fundamental justice, and the need to stand up for what is right.” His stance underscores a broader struggle against rising antisemitism in America, a trend documented by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which reports an uptick in hate crimes targeting Jewish individuals and institutions.
This incident echoes disturbing antisemitic chants and attacks reported internationally, including in Australia, England, and France, where Jewish communities have faced deadly violence. While the United States has historically been seen as a refuge from such extremism, recent events challenge that perception, prompting calls for stronger protections for religious freedom and community safety.
As the legal process unfolds, Moshe Glick’s case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against hate and the complexities faced by those who dare to confront it. The outcome will likely have significant implications for how the justice system addresses acts of self-defense amid targeted religious hostility.
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