Yes, you can keep your Jewish-themed event safe in this fraught moment
A police car outside Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, in 2022, after four people taken hostage by a gunman escaped. The rabbi cited training by the Secure Community Network. Photo by Andy Jacobsohn/AFP via Getty Images
By Beth Harpaz March 22, 2024
It’s not unusual these days for a venue hosting a Jewish author or cultural event to get threatening messages and sometimes even cancel because it’s not worth the risk. Or a Jewish group wants to rent space for an event, but can’t afford the owners’ demands for thousands of dollars in extra security measures.
The Secure Community Network says it doesn’t have to be that way. The nonprofit will provide free advice on security for any “Jewish-centric” public event, including assistance in evaluating threats, connecting with local law enforcement, a checklist of best practices for keeping people and property safe, and even listening to online chatter to see if anything’s bubbling on.
“We encourage every event to go on,” said Brad Orsini, SCN’s senior national security adviser, in a phone interview. “We want there to be an open and welcoming Jewish community. We know there’s a handful of things that have been canceled out there, but we really work with the community to keep these events open.”
SCN is best known for its work improving security at synagogues and other institutions, including helping congregations assess their needs and training people on how to respond to active shooters and hostage situations. SCN conducted more than 1,000 of these trainings and workshops in 2023. The rabbi who helped congregants safely flee a gunman in Colleyville, Texas, in 2022 cited SCN training, as did survivors of the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh.
These days, though, it’s not just synagogues and Jewish community centers that worry about security. Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks in Israel and Israel’s war in Gaza, many Jewish-themed concerts, lectures, film screenings and author talks have had to cope with threats, hateful messages and protests. Matisyahu concerts and book talks by Jewish authors have been canceled due to walkouts by staff who are either afraid to work an event that might turn ugly, or who want to show their opposition to Israel. This week, a theater outside Toronto abruptly canceled an annual Jewish film festival, citing security concerns.
‘We’ve got to stay open’
Orsini said the increase in threats is real, and SCN is getting more calls for advice since Oct. 7. “But our community is adjusting and adapting and becoming very resilient,” he said. “We can’t control a private venue shutting down at the last minute. But we can control what we provide pre-event.”
A commitment to keeping Jewish programming robust is “a mindset,” he added. “And that mindset is: We’ve got to stay open in spite of the nonsense that’s out there.”
Orsini said any entity planning or hosting a Jewish-themed event can simply email or call (844-726-3375) SCN, giving as much advance notice as possible. SCN will assess the risks based on how many people are expected, any pre-event “negative chatter,” and other factors, including looking at cybersecurity to mitigate threats or attacks and coordinating with law enforcement if warranted.
”If you’re going to host an event that is going to have attendees from our community, a Jewish-centric event, we’re going to give you advice,” he said. “Our job is to protect the 8.5 million Jews in North America.”
Those conversations initially focus on “thinking through all the details, thinking through the low-cost and no-cost security measures, all the contacts they need to make before they advertise the event,” he said. “We provide a ton of free resources,” and can also make referrals if hiring security is necessary.
A dedicated line to the FBI
SCN is headquartered in Chicago and was founded in 2004, when the Jewish Federations of North American and Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations felt the need to centralize security strategies and resources. The operation has grown from a half-dozen employees to more than 100 with an annual budget of $20 million funded by donors, foundations and federations.
Orsini said SCN’s staff includes many retired FBI agents, former police chiefs and state troopers; he himself spent 30 years with the FBI. “It is a law enforcement-centric organization,” he said, with a national network of contacts and a 24-hour “duty desk.” Last year, SCN instituted a standard form for reporting incidents to improve how threats are tracked and analyzed. The organization also has a dedicated line to the FBI.
In coordination with a regional federation, SCN is hosting two events in Northern New Jersey next month. On April 11, two free active-shooter trainings will be held in Paramus. On April 10, a documentary about the Tree of Life shooting will be shown in Englewood, along with a panel discussion that includes a Tree of Life survivor who credits SCN training with saving his life.
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