Carlucci, Local Leaders, and Members of the Jewish Community Attend NYS Senate Liberty Medal Ceremony For Josef Gluck

(Monsey, NY) -- Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) presented Josef Gluck with the New York State Senate Liberty Medal on Sunday in Monsey for his heroic actions during the December 28th domestic terror attack on a rabbi’s home in Monsey.

Gluck’s quick thinking and brave actions saved lives when a man wielding a machete stormed the home and began stabbing people.

Senator David Carlucci said, “Out of the darkness of this tragedy, came some light. Josef Gluck did what we all hope we could do in a chaotic and violent situation. He fought back and threw a coffee table at the machete-wielding attacker. Gluck then had the peace of mind to secure the attacker’s license plate number and provide it to police, which led to the suspect’s arrest. He saved lives at the Hanukkah ceremony by warning people to leave and prevented a further tragedy. I am proud to have presented Mr. Gluck with the Liberty Medal and thank Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for instantly approving the Senate’s highest honor for Mr. Gluck. New York State thanks our very humble hero for his bravery, and we will continue to stand up against anti-Semitism and hate.”

Gluck was surrounded by his children and family at his in-laws’ home in Monsey for the award ceremony.

Lifelong Monsey resident, 32-year-old, Josef Gluck said, “I want to thank Senator Carlucci and everyone here for this honor, the Liberty Medal. I didn’t earn this medal, G-d earns this medal.”

Also, in attendance for the honor, Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht, Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh, Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder, Spring Valley Village Trustee Eudson Tyson Francois, and Specht’s Chief of Staff, Mona Montal.

Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht said, “Josef Gluck’s heroic actions on December 28th were a light of hope at a time of darkness. He saved others at great risk to himself, drove off a vicious attacker, prevented the further loss of innocent blood, and directly led to the prompt arrest of the suspect. The Town of Ramapo is proud of our resident, Josef Gluck, and I thank Sen. Carlucci and the NYS Senate for honoring him with the very well deserved Liberty Medal.”

Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “Josef, on behalf of everyone in Rockland County, thank you for your service to the community. We have been saying you have to see something, do something, and Josef saw something and did something, and we are all better off and safer for his actions. Thank you to Senator Carlucci and the Senate Majority Leader for recognizing Mr. Gluck’s bravery because he did save a lot of lives. I want to assure the people of Rockland County that the investigation is continuing, and we are working with federal, local and State law enforcement to ensure the safety of the Rockland Community.”

Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder said, “Mr. Gluck you have saved us from the next attack because if this individual had not been caught, another attack would have happened. I want to thank Mr. Gluck’s beautiful family for hosting this award ceremony. Its family that creates communities that can have people like Mr. Gluck and keep us safe.”

Spring Valley Village Trustee Eudson Tyson Francois said, “As a public servant, we have to serve and to know Josef took an act to serve to the greatest level, it has challenged me to do a better job. We are one community and one family in Rockland. I wanted to stand here to say I am against hate, and thank you Josef for challenging us to do a better job and reminding us that you can’t just see something, but do something. I thank Senator Carlucci for recognizing Josef with this honor.”

Michael Specht’s Chief of Staff, Mona Montal said, “As sad as this situation is, as heinous as this act was, I hope and pray that we now have the opportunity to bring people together, to work to build a bright future for our town, our state, and our country, and in fact the entire world that we all live in. We now have a chance to make it all work.”

Five members of the Hasidic Jewish community were left injured in the December 28th anti-Semitic attack, and Mr. Josef Neumann who was stabbed multiple times is fighting for his life. The suspect in the attack was identified as 37-year-old Grafton Thomas. He was indicted on Friday on six counts of attempted murder and multiple other charges. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.