Wave of antisemitic attacks shows ‘never again’ must become more than a slogan
This article highlights a stark example of rising antisemitic violence adn the broader security challenges facing Jewish communities in the United States. It recounts a militant attack at Temple Israel in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, where a vehicle laden with explosives rammed the entrance, a shooter fired inside, and security personnel and staff evacuated children; the attacker died, and the swift response possibly saved many lives. The piece uses this incident as a wake-up call about how vulnerable institutions can be and the limits of protection, noting that combatting antisemitism has become an urgent national issue.
It cites FBI data showing 2,086 anti-Jewish hate-crime incidents in 2024, up 4% from 2023 and the highest on record, with Jewish Americans remaining the second-most targeted group as of 2025. The narrative describes attacks across a range of settings-schools, museums, supermarkets, protests-and mentions that while many organizations have increased security, the costs are substantial (about $765 million annually) and not all communities can afford comprehensive protection.
The article also discusses the constitutional right to bear arms as a potential line of defense when immediate help is unavailable. It introduces Lox & Loaded, a program founded in March 2025 to teach self-defense and firearms safety to Jewish Americans. Beginning in Chicago, the initiative has expanded to 21 states, 40 chapters, and over 1,000 members, aided by an NRA partnership.The program emphasizes safety, legal responsibility, and gradual, instructor-led training for those who may have little or no prior experience with firearms.
the piece argues for preparedness and defense as part of a broader effort to protect Jewish communities,while acknowledging the need to balance rights with efforts to reduce gun violence. It is authored by Gayle Pearlstein, an NRA-certified instructor and co-founder of Lox and Loaded.
Wave of antisemitic attacks shows ‘never again’ must become more than a slogan
On a recent Thursday morning in suburban Detroit, a man drove a pickup truck loaded with explosives through the front entrance of Temple Israel, the largest Reform synagogue in the United States.
Inside, were more than 100 young children under the age of five. The vehicle smashed through barricades and concrete, racing down a hallway before becoming lodged in the twisted wreckage. The driver began shooting. Security personnel returned fire, and staff moved quickly to evacuate the children, as smoke filled the building from the truck’s engine compartment.
By the time the scene was contained, the only fatality was the attacker. But this horrific incident was a terrifying wake-up call. Without the brave security personnel at Temple Israel, the outcome would have been far worse.
WHAT I TELL JEWISH TEENAGERS DEALING WITH RISING ANTISEMITISM
Violent antisemitism is on the rise — not just beyond our shores, but right here in the United States.
According to the FBI, anti-Jewish hate crime incidents reached 2,086 in 2024, up 4% from 2023 and the highest level on record. That increase comes even after a 361% surge in antisemitic incidents in the three months following Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack. As of 2025, Jewish Americans remain the second-most targeted group despite comprising only 2% of the population.
We have seen attacks in Jewish schools, museums, supermarkets, and private homes. Jews have been firebombed at peaceful protests in Boulder, and mowed down with cars in New York.
Many institutions have responded by investing in security, and for good reason. But these measures also have limits. Already, Jewish institutions spend an estimated $765 million a year on security, and for many communities, the protections that saved lives in Michigan are simply unaffordable.
Even in the best of circumstances, no system can cover every gap, and no police force, no matter how capable, can be everywhere at once.
Thankfully, in the United States, the Constitution enshrines the right to keep and bear arms. It recognizes that there are circumstances where individuals may need to defend themselves directly, particularly when immediate help is not available. Unlike in many other countries, Americans have the right to defend themselves, including, if necessary, through lethal force.
For many in the Jewish community, that is not an instinctive or comfortable position. There is a long history of emphasizing nonviolence and resilience, and for many American Jews, firearms have not been part of their lived experience. But the Jewish tradition also recognizes that as we pray for peace and work to repair the world, we must also be brave in defending our safety.
Lox & Loaded was created in March 2025 to provide a path for Jewish Americans to learn self-defense and firearms training. Our program brings together members of the Jewish community and our allies for serious and disciplined education. The goal is not to rush anyone into gun ownership, but to provide a structured environment where people of all levels can develop the skills and understanding needed to make informed decisions about their own protection.
Many who come through our training have never handled a firearm before and often never expected that they would. What they encounter is a meticulous curriculum that emphasizes safety, proper handling, and the legal responsibilities that come with firearm ownership. Participants work with certified instructors to build experience step by step.
We first started our trainings in Chicago, where gun laws are among the most restrictive in the country, and where understanding compliance with the law is as important as the training itself.
What began with a single chapter has now expanded to 21 states, 40 chapters, and over 1,000 members. That growth has been supported by our partnership with the NRA, whose network of trained instructors and safety-compliant ranges has helped us serve Jewish communities across the country. With time, any initial uneasiness and unfamiliarity on the part of our students gives way to a clearer understanding of preparedness and the confidence to act as their own first line of defense.
WHY IS IT A ‘RISK’ FOR DEMOCRATS TO CONDEMN ISLAMIC TERRORISM?
As interest in our organization grows, it is equally important that the ability to defend oneself remains protected, especially as lawmakers continue to push new restrictions in the name of reducing gun violence. We all want to prevent the scourge of gun violence against innocents. But the right of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and their families must be protected.
Since 1945, we have pledged “never again,” but with an important caveat: the Jewish people would no longer rely on others to protect them from threats. We must always be ready. Learning self-defense and undergoing firearms training is a critical component of that pledge. Today, we must commit ourselves to ensuring that our promise holds true, by force if necessary.
Gayle Pearlstein is an NRA-certified instructor and co-founder of Lox and Loaded.
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