Multiple synagogues and Jewish congregations are now targeted for violent messages and even attacks.
In California’s Studio City last week, the residence of a Jewish family was broken into by a man brandishing a knife and shouting antisemitic insults. He was confronted by the husband who protected his wife — nine months pregnant — until authorities arrived.
But like any community under siege, American Jews are not taking the threatening atmosphere lying down. Instead, they are arming themselves in the manner the Second Amendment guarantees the right to do for all law-abiding citizens.
Rabbi Yossi Eilfort is at the forefront of this courageous effort. Based in Los Angeles, he is a National Rifle Association instructor and the founder of the prestigious Magen Am USA.
This group has the distinction of being the only nonprofit Jewish organization on the West Coast providing training and armed security to those in need of protection.
In a video produced for the NRA, Eilfort explained the goals of his group. “Magen Am’s mission is to train and empower the community to deter and respond to security threats. We’re trying to give everybody the tool to be empowered to protect themselves.”
The group, which also provides services in Phoenix, uses a multi-pronged approach to self-defense training. Also important is the ability to avoid threats and de-escalate situations where weapons are not needed. Along with gun safety, such vital skills as hand-to-hand fighting, verbal warnings and non-lethal tools including Tasers and batons are presented.
Eilfort, a former MMA fighter, also featured women in the video presentation who are trained in gun safety and effective handling of firearms by the organization.
He laid out the structure of the group he founded in the NRA video. “Magen Am means ‘nation’s shield.’ I like to say we’re like a shield. We’re about 30-30-30: Where one-third is hired professionals dealing with institutional security; one-third dealing with community training; and then one-third is working with government law enforcement.”
A woman trained by Magen Am explained that the current international situation hit home recently and made her feel like a target. “Explosives have been thrown at the synagogue right behind my house. It’s unbelievable, the fact that these people can be on the side of terrorists.”
The climate of threats and outright attacks fundamentally altered the operations of Magen Am. In 2022, the organization fielded approximately 950 queries from the American Jewish community for protection services.
Since the Oct. 7 terror attacks, that number has skyrocketed to over 1,200.
The valiant work done by Yossi Eilfort is recognized by the NRA, the nation’s foremost defender of Second Amendment freedoms. Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre told Fox News Digital that his group is proud of its association with Magen Am.
“As an NRA instructor, Rabbi Yossi embodies the Association’s commitment to self-defense and community safety. We are proud to count him as one of the NRA’s 125,000 dedicated instructors — the unsung heroes who help train Americans to safeguard themselves, their loved ones and their communities every day.”
With gun sales exploding in the Jewish community, the need for gun safety and self-defense training has exponentially increased. It is an immensely valuable service that Magen Am and Eilfort provides, and the NRA should be proud of its affiliation with such a noble effort.
