Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, a prominent D.C. religious leader, has filed an assault lawsuit against anti-Israel protestors who allegedly damaged his hearing by blasting loud sound devices during a peaceful prayer session in front of the Israeli Embassy.
Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, a prominent rabbi in the Washington D.C. area, has filed an assault lawsuit against anti-Israel protesters who allegedly caused him acute acoustic trauma and other harm during a prayer service.
The lawsuit, filed in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, alleges that Herzfeld was praying in front of the Israeli Embassy on March 22 when he was confronted by a group of pro-Palestinian protesters who used "bullhorns, sirens, and loudspeakers" to drown out his prayers.
Herzfeld, who has been receiving medical treatment for his injuries, told Fox News Digital that he "suffered acute acoustic trauma and other harm" during the encounter. He said he felt an obligation as a rabbi and as a Jew to hold the protesters accountable for their actions.
The lawsuit charges the protesters with assault, battery, and other violations, including hate based on religious identity. It alleges that the protesters intended to injure Herzfeld and that the physical attack consisted of using sound-emitting devices to produce siren-like sounds in the range of 95-100 decibels.
The complaint states that the encounter occurred on Taanit Esther, a day of religious observance immediately preceding the Jewish holiday of Purim. Herzfeld and his group were praying for the release of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since its October 7 terrorist attack, along with Israeli soldiers and "the innocent residents of Gaza."
The protesters allegedly had sound-producing equipment - speakers and bullhorns - that were emitting extremely loud tones, which were intended to prevent any speech or other support for Israel. When the protesters saw that their noise-emitting devices were not stopping Herzfeld from leading his group in prayer, they increased the volume of the siren-like sound, the complaint states.
Herzfeld said people in his group received notifications that the sound levels were dangerous via Apple Watches. Partial video from the encounter shows a man taunting Herzfeld, waving a Palestinian flag in his face as he tried to pray while loud sounds can be heard.
The complaint notes that damage to hearing can be expected from sounds as low as 80-85 dB and sounds in the 100 dB range can result in measurable hearing loss after only 15 minutes of exposure. At the time of the attack, Herzfeld immediately felt acute pain in his ear.
Herzfeld, who has written five books, made countless media appearances, and delivered the opening prayer as guest chaplain at the U.S. House of Representatives, was unable to participate fully in the Jewish festival of Purim celebration and other religious and personal activities during the days following the events of March 22.
The defendants in the lawsuit, Hazami Barmada and Atafeh Rokhvand, are both residents of Virginia. Barmada is referred to as "The Leader" and Rokhvand as "The Governor" among the protesters in front of the Israeli Embassy.
Barmada and Rokhvand denied Herzfeld's claims, calling them factually incorrect and an abuse of the court system. They said the allegations made by Herzfeld are part of an effort to attack and silence constitutionally protected First Amendment activity.
Herzfeld, who is seeking a trial by jury, is hopeful to find out during the discovery process who is funding the anti-Israel protests that have broken out across the nation and rocked college campuses. "There is money that's invested in this," he said. "These are people who have a plan. They have a tent. They have a strategy. And it's not OK to just say, ‘OK, it's no big deal,’" he added. "It is a big deal. Whenever you try to stop somebody from praying and inflict pain upon them because they're Jewish, that's not OK."
