“We were granted the right to exist by the G-d of our fathers at the glimmer of the dawn of human civilization nearly 4,000 years ago. For that right, which has been sanctified in Jewish blood from generation to generation, we have paid a price unexampled in the annals of the nations.” Menachem Begin. Synagogue security
It began last month, a rash of violent anti-Semitic attacks, mostly in the New York metro area. Reacting to the repeated violent attacks, Herut North America, a leading Zionist activist organization, created and is offering a new, cutting-edge guide to help congregations better organize their security efforts to protect synagogue attendees. Called “SYNAGOGUE SECURITY TOOL KIT©; A Hands-on Guide to Preventive Safety for Your Congregation,” it is being offered free of charge to all members of the Jewish community interested in improving security as well as synagogue leaders. Another example of how Herut lives by the idea Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh beZeh” (All Jews are responsible for one another).
The “Synagogue Security Tool Kit” is causing Jewish organizations “to react as they never have before about physical security and self-defense in the tradition of Jabotinsky,” said Moshe Phillips, National Director of Herut North America. “Herut has started a revolution in the way Jews are thinking about taking shul security into their own hands.”
Per a Herut press release, “This free reference to protecting your community will help your community develop a security plan that you can implement in your synagogue, kollel, yeshiva, camp or day school.”
“Our goal is to have this booklet utilized by synagogues in all 50 states so that further anti-Jewish violence and bloodshed can be prevented,” he continued, asking that the booklet be distributed to synagogue leaders across the country as soon as possible.”
“We have developed this eBook guide as a hands-on tool to aid synagogues with both evaluating their security needs as well as organizing their own security teams,” said Moshe Phillips, Herut U.S national director. This information-packed booklet is specifically designed to give Jews the information they need to feel empowered around security-related needs and issues.
The downloadable guide included checklists, assessment worksheets, planning guides, practical advice, and more. All designed to help a congregation be secure inside and outside.’
The security kit addresses explicitly the fact that Orthodox Jews have been heavily and specifically targeted in recent attacks by including a section titled “Self-Defense Tips While Walking To / From Synagogue” in the booklet.
The people creating “The Synagogue Security Kit” were experts in security, including IDF veterans, individuals trained in counter-terrorism, longtime community security volunteers, and legal professionals.
Users of the guidebook will find uncomplicated practical but actionable ideas whether their synagogue has a security plan in place or is now considering forming a volunteer security team and/or needs an action plan.
Please email moshe@herutna.org today to request your free copy of the “SYNAGOGUE SECURITY TOOL KIT©.”
The founding fathers of Zionism had a few relevant thoughts on the subject of combating violent Jew-hatred.
Herut is founded on the philosophy of Ze’ ev Jabotinsky. Jabotinsky told a British audience in 1937: “It is not the Antisemitism of men; it is, above all, the antisemitism of things, the inherent xenophobia of the body social or the body economic under which we suffer.”
In other words, no matter what we do, antisemitism in the Diaspora is inevitable. We can issue angry press releases, we can lobby the government to “throw the book” at anti-Semitic assailants, but in the end, there are overwhelming social, economic, and other factors that inevitably combine to bring about situations in which antisemitism erupts.
Again, and again. Throughout history. In every country. Under pharaohs. Under czars, dictators, and sometimes even under presidents or prime ministers of democracies. As Jews, we must realize that as often as we hear our politicians condemn Antisemitism, they will still gravitate toward where they can get the most votes, be it Chuck Schumer kissing up to Al Sharpton or Governor Cuomo, Senator Gillibrand protecting Linda Sarsour. Their fight against Jew-hatred is nothing but lip-service. Remember Nancy Pelosi’s refusal to introduce a strong resolution condemning Rep. Ilhan Omar’s anti-Semitic statements? The message was that the American Jewish community must fend for itself.
Jabotinsky was an outspoken advocate of Jewish self-defense, both in the Diaspora and in the Land of Israel. He was one of the organizers of Jewish self-defense against pogroms in Czarist Russia, which drove my great-grandparents to come to America. Jabotinsky founded the Hagenah in Eretz Yisroel because he advocated that when Jews are physically threatened, they must protect their lives and property.
The need for more security has been noted by Jewish communities and security experts in the wake of the rising tide of antisemitism. Joshua Goldstein, chairman of Herut North America, told Arutz Sheva News, “Action is required now. “Please help us reach our goal in making the streets safer for Jews across America. Download and use this free resource yourself and also please share on social media the news that this eBook is now available so Jews everywhere will have access to this potentially life-saving material.”
The only answer to such lone-wolf attackers as the Pittsburgh, Poway, and Monsey anti-Semites is a dual program of stronger security and stronger Jewish Unity. Herut North America – The Jabotinsky Movement, urges all Jews to remain vigilant and keep security top of mind and please use the SYNAGOGUE SECURITY TOOL KIT© to start the conversation about security in your congregation, as soon as possible
Protect your Shul, camp, Jewish community center, day school, etc. email moshe@herutna.org and order a “SYNAGOGUE SECURITY TOOL KIT©; A Hands-on Guide to Preventive Safety for Your Congregation “today.
And when you are done with ordering the guide, please vote for the Herut Slate in the WZC Election. You can find all the reasons and details by clicking here.
