In the aftermath of the incident at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, ADL, Atlanta Rabbinical Association, JCRC, and AJC hosted a special briefing to discuss security concerns and next steps on January 20, 2022.
Sign up for a No Cost Security Training from Federation
January 30 | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm | Virtual
Countering Active Threat Training: Participants will learn about different types of active threats, how to prepare mentally and physically for an active threat, and what to do that can save your life and the lives of others. Joining this training seminar will be a survivor from the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh to share his experience.
Federation’s security directors will be offering additional trainings throughout the year, including: Introduction to Situation Awareness (next session February 9) and Stop the Bleed (Next session coming soon). Stay up to date on our website.
Get a Security Assessment at no Cost
Work with Federation to create a roadmap to improve your security posture. Neil Rabinovitz, Federation’s Director of Community-wide Security, and Deputy Director Jimi Horne, will tour your facility, identify its vulnerabilities, and create a report with recommendations to improve security, some of which can be no cost or low cost. Federation can also assist you with an application for a Nonprofit Security Grant Program through the Dept. of Homeland Security. Organizations can apply for up to $150K per year.
Low and No-Cost Security Measures:
Learn how you can protect yourself and your organization with some simple measures:
Understand the Threat:
View the following resources from the FBI, DHS, and ADL:
- Six Facts About Threats to the Jewish Community – https://www.adl.org/blog/six-facts-about-threats-to-the-jewish-community
- ADL Backgrounder on Aafia Siddiqui – https://www.adl.org/blog/pakistani-woman-linked-to-al-qaeda-found-guilty-in-new-york
- Situational Awareness from FBI and DHS – Sydney creating URL for this
- Islamist extremists expressed support for Akram’s actions . Prominent Islamist extremists described the hostage situation as “inspirational” and a warning to their enemies, and a British-based pro-ISIS Islamist preacher reiterated calls to free Siddiqui. Similarly, right-wing extremists, Holocaust deniers and others are attempting to exploit the Colleyville crisis to advance their own antisemitic, conspiratorial beliefs — a clear indication that acts of antisemitism tend to inspire further expressions of antisemitism.
Contact Your Legislators: Double Funding for Jewish Community Security
Tell Congress to double funding to protect our houses of worship and religious institutions!
Let members of Congress know they must protect all communities from threats like the one at Congregation Beth Israel and double funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $360 million.
