THREATS TO OUR COMMUNITY.

 

The physical safety and security of the Jewish community has been a core concern and responsibility of the Federations throughout their history. We’ve seen firsthand that Jewish communities are experiencing a rise in antisemitic crime and targeted violence. These recent, tragic incidents include:

 

  • Tree of Life in Pittsburgh (2018–see right),

  • Chabad in San Diego (2019),

  • Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville (2022),

 

And many more, including, in the last year, threats to Beth El Synagogue, Temple of Aaron, and Adath Jeshurun. With antisemitic hate crimes on the rise, our community needs Shomrim: a strong, sustainable security campaign that will meet these rising threats.

 

SHOMRIM WILL ENSURE OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY IS SAFE AND SECURE FOR YEARS TO COME.

 

 

  • 81% of Jewish adults in the Twin Cities surveyed in 2019 believed the United States had become less safe for Jews in the past year.

 

 

 

  • 21% of Jewish Adults in the Twin Cities surveyed in 2019 had personally experienced antisemitism in the past year.

 

 

Our community's safe havens are threatened as never before.

 

ANTISEMITISM IS ON THE RISE.

OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY IS AT RISK.

 

WE ARE RESPONDING.

SHOMRIM IS RAISING $12 MILLION TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

PHYSICAL SECURITY

 

We will add the following deterrence features to our community institutions:

  • - Security Cameras
  • - Break Resistant Window Film
  • - Controlled Access Card/FOB Entrances
  • - Panic Alarms/ Auto Door Locking Features
  • - Buildings and Parking Lot safety lighting

OPERATIONS

 

  • - 24/7 threat intelligence and analysis
  • - Community training (active shooter, suspicious behavior recognition, etc.)
  • - Cyber security
  • - Communication technologies and software for rapid community-wide alerts and information.
  • - Vet and train security firms and negotiate community rates for security personnel for our organizations.
  • - Endow the salaries for community security professionals
  •  

In addition to local fundraising, matching grants are available from Jewish Federations of North America and SCN’s security initiative, LiveSecure.

RESPONDING WITH STRENGTH TO SAFEGUARD OUR COMMUNITY

Together with the Federations, Secure Community Network (SCN), and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC), we are taking the following measures:

On-site Security:

  • Fortify physical security
  • Security information sharing
  • Event security
  • Establish policies and procedures

 

Law Enforcement Relationships with:

  • Municipal police departments
  • County sheriffs
  • State Public Safety
  • Federal (FBI, Homeland Security, Attorney General)
  • MN National Guard

 

Intelligence:

  • Monitor online threats
  • Threat analysis
  • Document and record antisemetic incidents

Media & Education:

  • Provide resources to reporters
  • Encourage editorials
  • Speaking to schools and others
  • Provide resources to media

Partnering with:

  • Elected officials
  • Government agencies
  • Other faith communities
  • Private foundations

Trainings:

  • Active Assailant
  • Behavior Deification
  • High Holiday Ushers
  • Stop the Bleed
  • Emergency Procedures

Security Standardization:

  • Communication systems
  • Camera monitoring
  • Facility assessments
  • Community Emergency plan
  • Frontline crisis management

חֲזַק חֲזַק וְנִּתְחַּזֵק

 

Chazak, Chazak v’nitchazek— Be strong, be strong, and we will be strengthened. For centuries, the Jewish people have endured attacks, hatred, and tragedy. But we have not only survived, we have thrived. With your generous help, we shall continue for us, for our children, for our grandchildren and all who follow.

MATCHING GRANTS FOR SHOMRIM ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA (JFNA)’S SECURITY INITIATIVE, LIVESECURE.

 

These Enhancement Grants will be available through LiveSecure to communities that already have a community security initiative—just like Shomrim.  At a 1:2 match, LiveSecure can provide up to $250,000/ year to Shomrim for three years and further support the safety of our local community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
STEVEN BAKER | SBAKER@JEWISHMINNEAPOLIS.ORG
DAN MOGELSON | DMOGELSON@STPAULFED.ORG