A 62-year-old Baltimore rabbi fought back against two suspected carjackers over the weekend, pulling out a legally owned handgun after the masked assailants beat him and attempted to steal his vehicle, according to police and local officials.
Rabbi Emanuel Goldfeiz was taking out the garbage near his car outside his North Baltimore condominium around 11 p.m. Saturday night when the attack occurred. Still dressed in his religious attire after evening services, Goldfeiz was ambushed without warning.
“They just came up and punched him in the face,” said Baltimore City Councilman Isaac “Yitzy” Schliefer, who represents the district. “This was a completely unprovoked attack on an older man, clearly identifiable as a person of faith.”
According to the Baltimore Police Department, the two masked suspects grabbed the rabbi’s keys and attempted to flee in his vehicle. However, they were unable to start the car. After failing to get it running, the pair returned to the rabbi—apparently intending to continue the assault.
At that point, Goldfeiz drew a pistol he is licensed to carry. Faced with the firearm, the suspects immediately fled the area and have not yet been located.
Despite successfully defending himself, Goldfeiz suffered significant injuries from the initial attack.
“Unfortunately, he’s hurt. He was punched very, very hard,” said Rabbi Velvel Belinsky of Baltimore’s Jewish community. “We’re wishing him a full and speedy recovery. Incidents like this are extremely disturbing, especially as safety remains one of our biggest concerns.”
Carjackings in the North Baltimore area have risen 20% compared to last year, according to Councilman Schliefer. He said the targeting of a clearly identifiable religious leader adds an emotional weight to an already troubling trend.
“Just the brazenness of it—the willingness to assault an older person coming home from synagogue—shows how emboldened these criminals feel,” Schliefer said. “We are seeing more violent acts directed at Jewish residents, and it needs to stop.”
Police are continuing to investigate the attempted carjacking and assault. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Baltimore Police Department.
