Jewish Community Receives Guidance on Security in Advance of the High Holidays

by 09/15/2017

New York, NY – In the post-Charlottesville environment and amid ongoing concerns about white supremacist activity and anti-Semitic acts in the U.S., the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is providing expertise and resources to ensure Jewish institutions remain secure during the Jewish High Holidays. The holidays begin on the evening of Sept. 20 with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and continue with the observance of Yom Kippur on Sept. 30.

ADL’s Center on Extremism is monitoring recent rallies and other activity by hate groups and the League’s 26 regional offices have been providing ongoing support to communities across the country, including security awareness briefings and arranging meetings with local law enforcement.

“The anti-Semitism we saw at the rally in Charlottesville was troubling and is still fresh in many people’s minds, so it is important for every community institution and synagogue to review their security procedures and keep an open line of communication with local law enforcement,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “While that there are known imminent or specific threats to the Jewish community at this time, it is important that security remains a priority for the Jewish community during the holidays and year-round.”

Yesterday afternoon, ADL partnered with the Security Community Network (SCN) to provide a nationwide security briefing for Jewish community institutions in advance of the holidays. The call provided communal leadership and security personnel with training and resources for proactive security preparedness and featured remarks from experts at ADL, SCN and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“For the Jewish community, security awareness is 24/7,” said David C. Friedman, ADL Vice President of Law Enforcement and Communal Security. “This means that synagogues, JCCs and other institutions already have procedures in place. But it is equally important for them also to have updated information on extremist activity around the country and to ensure that they have checked all of the boxes on their security procedures for the holidays.”

The nationwide SCN-ADL call provided leadership and security personnel with training and resources for proactive security preparedness. Experts on the call provided participants with an understanding of the current threat environment and additional precautions which should be taken in light of the increasing number of anti-Semitic incidents, hate crimes, and extremist events across the country.

ADL has shared its guides and resources designed to help Jewish institutions be safe and secure while maintaining an open and welcoming environment. ADL’s security manual – Protecting Your Jewish Institution – provides recommendations to safeguard institutions year-round, as well as to enhance response to threats and crises.

The manual includes information on topics including: security planning; physical security and operations; relationships with emergency personnel; guide to detecting surveillance; computer and data security; explosive threat response planning; active shooters; considerations for schools and summer camps; dealing with protesters and crisis management.

Additional ADL Security Resources include:

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