Moshe Glick
As DOJ Acts on FACE Act Violations, Dr. Moshe Glick Still Faces Felony Indictment for Defending Synagogue Attendee
Watch the video – See what happened
Under no circumstances, will I enter a plea to any charge, as I am not guilty. I acted in defense of someone being viciously attacked when the police failed to respond. ”
— Moshe Glick
WEST ORANGE, NJ, UNITED STATES, September 29, 2025 /Respvblica/ — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act (Civil Action No. 2:25-CV-16049) to civilly pursue individuals and organizations who blocked and harassed Jewish worshippers outside Congregation Ohr Torah in West Orange NJ on November 13, 2024. The same incident left Dr. Moshe Glick facing felony charges (Indictment No. 25-07-01562-I) after he intervened to stop a violent chokehold assault on a 64-year-old Jewish man.
Community leaders say the DOJ’s action affirms what they have been saying for months: the real violations came from the mob that violently attacked, threatened and obstructed synagogue attendees, not from Dr. Glick, a dentist, father, grandfather, and Hatzalah EMT volunteer, who acted to save a life.
“Federal civil rights law is unequivocal: houses of worship and religious freedom must be protected,” said Benjamin Ryberg, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Research at The Lawfare Project. “The FACE Act was enacted to prevent intimidation at America’s religious institutions. What occurred in West Orange—where police allowed a mob to menace synagogue attendees while prosecuting a Jewish community member for aiding someone under attack—highlights the vulnerability of religious communities and the need for government action. We are encouraged by the Department of Justice’s recent action and optimistic it reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that synagogues, churches, and all houses of worship remain secure.”
The November 13 incident began when anti-Israel demonstrators swarmed Congregation Ohr Torah, intimidating and harassing members of the Jewish community who had assembled outside the synagogue by, among other things, directing the epitaph “Nazis” toward them and blowing large air horns (known as “vuvuzelas”) dangerously close to their ears. Video shows protester Altaf Sharif violently choking and tackling event participant David Silberberg, while police failed to intervene. After calling for the police multiple times with no response, Dr. Glick rescued Mr. Silberberg from the violent chokehold.
Instead of charging Mr. Sharif, Essex prosecutors indicted Dr. Glick (Indictment No. 25-07-01562-I) for aggravated assault, bias intimidation, and weapons offenses. More than 100 rabbis and communal leaders, along with legal experts, have called the charges a miscarriage of justice.
“The federal government’s involvement in this case boldly establishes that obstruction and intimidation in front of a Jewish house of worship will not be tolerated,” stated Susan Wernick, Co-founder and Executive Director, Public Affairs of JBAR—the Jewish Bar Association of New Jersey. “The frivolous selective prosecution of Dr. Glick has left the Jewish community feeling vulnerable and convinced that antisemitism has permeated our legal system. I thank the DOJ for going to bat for what is right, enforcing the FACE Act, and restoring faith to our community.”
Moshe Glick said, “Today’s filing by the Department of Justice affirms what we believed, that the real violations were committed by those who intimidated, blocked and attacked a member of the community in front of a synagogue. The indictment by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office against me was improperly obtained, and my motion has been filed seeking its dismissal. My defense team is confident it will be dismissed. Under no circumstances, will I enter a plea to any charge, as I am not guilty. The charges brought against me in Essex County are baseless. I acted in defense of someone being viciously attacked when the police failed to respond. I am grateful to Harmeet Dhillon, Pam Bondi, and the Department of Justice, who have recognized the travesty of justice that has occurred and the need to safeguard the rights of all people to feel secure in their houses of worship.”
Rabbi Tuly Weisz, founder of Israel365, remarked, “Dr. Moshe Glick serves as the chapter head of Israel365 New Jersey, and so we are profoundly grateful to the Department of Justice for taking decisive action to protect Jews who are advocating for Israel. The right to worship freely and express support for Israel is a fundamental freedom cherished by both Christians and Jews alike. Our churches and synagogues are sacred spaces that must be vigorously protected from harassment, intimidation, and violence. The DOJ’s intervention in Dr. Glick’s case sends a powerful message that religious communities will not be left vulnerable when they exercise their constitutional rights.”
About the FACE Act
The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act (18 U.S.C. § 248), passed in 1994, protects both reproductive health facilities and houses of worship. It prohibits, among other things, threats, obstruction, or use of force to interfere with anyone’s right to attend or conduct religious services. This is the first time that the DOJ is filing a lawsuit under the FACE Act to specifically protect a religious institution from targeted disruption and harassment.
Moshe Glick is represented by Michael F. Bachner of Bachner & Associates, PC (https://www.bhlawfirm.com/attorney/michael-f-bachner/), and Mitchell A. Liebowitz (https://gmattorneys.com/mitchell-a-liebowitz/)
Juda S Engelmayer
Metrowest NJ Israel Action Committee/Moshe Glick
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