Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, a prominent figure in the Jewish community of Washington, D.C., recently took to the news media to voice his frustration with the city’s handling of antisemitism, a topic that has become increasingly sensitive following a number of hate crimes and acts of violence. His comments follow his recent experience of being attacked outside the Israeli Embassy in early 2024, an incident that has drawn significant attention and criticism from both community members and local officials.
Herzfeld was at the embassy on March 21, 2024, to pray for the safe return of hostages, a gesture that highlighted his deep personal commitment to the Jewish community and the safety of those in need. Unfortunately, during his visit, he was subjected to harassment by a group of protesters. The protesters reportedly used megaphones and loud sirens, creating a hostile environment that left Herzfeld visibly disturbed. However, the rabbi maintains that these actions were not only inappropriate but also dangerous to those in attendance.
Despite the harassment, Herzfeld’s ordeal did not end there. He was falsely accused of stalking, an accusation that led to a significant legal battle. However, the court ultimately vindicated Herzfeld, with the accusers ordered to cover the rabbi’s legal costs, which amounted to $182,000. This experience, while largely resolved, has left Herzfeld with a deep sense of unease about the broader atmosphere of antisemitism in the capital.
In his recent remarks on the issue, Herzfeld expressed his disappointment with the response from D.C. leadership, particularly the city’s approach to addressing antisemitism in the aftermath of the recent murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. The rabbi argues that the city’s leadership has not done enough to protect the Jewish community, a stance that he has directly communicated to Mayor Muriel Bowser. Although he personally describes Bowser as a ‘good person,’ Herzfeld holds her accountable for allowing an antisemitic environment to develop in the city, which he claims has made Jewish residents feel increasingly unsafe.
Herzfeld’s concerns are not limited to the political and administrative response to hate crimes. He has also raised the alarming statements made by Elias Rodriguez, the accused murderer of Lischinsky and Milgrim. According to court documents, Rodriguez reportedly declared, ‘I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed,’ during his arrest. Herzfeld uses these statements to emphasize the growing concern among Jewish residents about the association between certain protest groups and violent acts. He argues that these associations are causing more fear within the community, as the presence of such groups on the streets of D.C. continues to be a source of anxiety.
In response to Herzfeld’s criticism, the mayor’s office pointed to her previous comments on the subject, where she acknowledged that the city was taking steps to combat antisemitism, both in terms of hate speech and hate crimes. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who also spoke at the press conference, reiterated the city’s commitment to addressing such violent crimes. However, Herzfeld believes that more needs to be done, not only to ensure the safety of the Jewish community but also to address the broader issue of antisemitism in the city.