GOTHAMIST
Facing Unprecedented Anti-Semitic Attacks, New York Jews Are Learning To Fight Back—Literally
by Matt Katz
January 9, 2020

The wave of anti-Semitic violence in the New York region is prompting some Jews to take matters into their own fists. Legion, a New York-based nonprofit that trains Jews in self-defense, is growing in popularity and planning to expand in the wake of last month’s deadly shooting at the Jersey City kosher market and machete attack at a rabbi’s house in Monsey. Legion draws a range of Jews, of all ages and degrees of religiosity, who believe that Jews need to protect themselves—because no one else will. READ MORE

TIMES OF ISRAEL Experts advise US synagogues on use of armed security personnel Security officials say Jewish centers should employ uniformed law enforcement officers rather than private guards or volunteers from community in wake of deadly attacks

NEW YORK POST Israeli military veterans give self-defense classes to Monsey residents after machete attack Congregants packed a synagogue Wednesday in the Rockland County community, where Israeli veterans who run Cherev Gidon, a Pennsylvania-based training academy, taught them how to use a variety of firearms. Yonatan Stern, the academy’s director, told The Post that he wants people to carry guns openly in shul, saying, “You as Jews have to start defending yourselves because others are not gonna do it for you.”