Rabbi Emanuel Goldfeiz, 62 — Rabbi of Beit Yaakov and Rabbinical administrator for Star-S kashrut — used his legally owned handgun to fend off two masked attackers during a violent attempted carjacking in North Baltimore.

The incident took place late at night behind his condominium, after returning from synagogue and taking out the trash.

“They just came up and punched him in the face,” said Baltimore City Councilman Yitzy Schleifer. “They knocked him to the ground and continued striking him—until he pulled a gun.”

The suspects ran off but circled back as the rabbi approached his car. One tried to start the vehicle but failed.

“As the suspects tried to assault him again, the victim drew his firearm and pointed it at them,” said a Baltimore Police spokesperson. “The suspects then fled the scene on foot.”

Police say the rabbi has a valid handgun permit. He sustained minor injuries but did not require hospitalization.

Councilman Schleifer says carjackings are up over 20% this month compared to last year and that this incident has left the local Jewish community shaken.

While the motive remains unclear, he pointed to a national rise in antisemitic violence.

“What we see is that people feel emboldened to commit violent acts against Jewish people—and that needs to stop,” he said, adding that city leaders failed to pass a resolution supporting Israel last year, missing an opportunity to clearly denounce antisemitic hate.

The investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made.