High Holy Days Self Defense
In advance of the High Holy days, Rabbi Gary Moscowitz of Queens has taken it upon himself to help Jews keep Jews safe. Moscowitz is training rabbis and congregation members to protect synagogues in the New York area — offering 100-hour courses in synagogue self defense, The New York Post reported today.
The former police officer, who has a black belt in karate, is training students to take down terrorists with running somersaults that they can use if attacked while praying. Students will learn how to use Kiddush tables for cover, in case of a surprise attack during the post shul nosh.
Interest in Moscowitz’s course reportedly peaked recently after thwarted attacks on two Bronx synagogues. When asked why the NYPD can’t protect synagogues he explained that they don’t recognize congregants. “A terrorist could put a yarmulke on, say, ‘Happy holidays,’ and blow the place up,” Moscowitz told the Post.
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO