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After Synagogue Hostage Standoff: Processing and Preparedness

We continue to process the gravity of the Texas synagogue hostage standoff and send a loving embrace to the Colleyville community. 
 
This Saturday marks a week since the attack. And while the trauma has loomed large in our minds these past few days, the security of this Jewish community is a Federation priority every day.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT FEDERATION SECURITY WEB PAGE


Every day, Federation supports communal organizations in assessing and addressing security needs; often working with law enforcement, civic, and multifaith allies on incident reporting, investigation, and prevention; advocating with lawmakers and empowering organizations to optimize public resources; and more.  

 
Jewish Federation has helped bring $9 million in security grants to dozens of Jewish organizations across Monmouth and Greater Middlesex couhties. Federation is at the helm:  
  • On a daily basis, partnering with Jewish organizations to: 
    • conduct security assessments;
    • build relationships with law enforcement -- before an emergency occurs;
    • navigate the landscape to obtain and implement security grants;
    • facilitate monitoring, reporting, and investigating of incidents;
  • Bringing in security training with high-level experts -- training, on average, 300 professionals and countless more community members annually;
  • Developing and launching a state-of-the-art emergency alert system for communal leaders;
  • Advocating with state and Federal elected leaders to fund nonprofit security grant programs (NSGPs)
    • with wins, such as this week's passage of the NJ NSGP into law;
    • currently advocating with the U.S. Congress to double Federal NSGP funds;
  • Briefing the community on evolving antisemitic threats;
  • Increasing access to incident reporting channels;
  • Partnering with law enforcement to recognize and handle antisemitic incidents  -- and much more.
 Training is central to Federation's security initiatives, with recent heart of NJ courses including:   
  • Active shooter strategies and drills;
  • Hostility, anger, and rage management;
  • Physical trauma and bleeding control; 
  • Civilian use of force laws, to name just a few.
Rabbi, Charlie Cytron-Walker of Congregation Beth Israel insisted he and his congregants managed to flee the 'increasingly belligerant' terrorist thanks to active-shooter training."
 
Urge your synagogue, Jewish school or camp, or Jewish culture center to make full use of security training -- taught by recognized experts -- offered free of charge by Federation.
 
Training turned the tide in Colleyville. Training is essential here.
 
Learn more on the full range of Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ Security Initiatives, including our work to help bring $9 million in government security funds to Jewish Monmouth and Greater Middlesex counties. 
 
In fact we learned this week, after five years advocating on a major state initiative, Gov. Murphy signed into law the NJ Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). Federation was integral in advocating for the program to become permanent, and has been playing a pivotal role since 2017 in helping conceive, shape, and expand the program. Learn more below.   
 
Security preparedness can save lives. That is why every Jew in Monmouth and Greater Middlesex County needs to know about Federation's security initiatives, take advantage of them -- and support them. Donor contribtions enable Federation to continue helping this community enhance security for all.  
 
May we all be safe, send prayers of healing to the people of Colleyville, and know peace this coming Shabbat and every day. 
 


GET TRAINED

SECURITY TRAINING JAN. 27
BE AWARE: AN INTRODUCTION TO SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Learn to recognize and report potentially dangerous threats and what to do. Designed for every member of the community, no background in security is required. Offered by SCN, a security arm of Jewish Federation. REGISTER
 
ADVOCACY TRAINING FEB. 23
EMPOWERING TEENS FACING ANTISEMITISM
Teens need adult allies against antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in high school, social media, and college campuses. StandWithUs will empower adults to advocate on behalf of teens facing bias and hate. Part of Federation's six-part JCRC Advocacy Training Series. REGISTER  
 


CONTACT YOUR U.S. CONGRESSPERSONS

The attack on the Colleyville synagogue was a continuation of a troubling and unacceptable trend. Join Jewish Federations in calling on Congress to double funding for FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which better enables Jewish and other institutions targeted by hate, violence, and threats to protect their communities. 


STRENGTHEN MULTICULTURAL ALLIANCES

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY JAN. 27
A FOCUS ON MULTICULTURAL ALLIANCES TO FIGHT HATE
in Lessons from a Black Officer in WWII, Agent Reginald Johnson of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and Metuchen-Edison NAACP, will share stories and inspiration from his father, Maj. George Yancy Johnson, a Black commissioned officer who participated in the liberation of Dachau. REGISTER
 


MORE ABOUT FEDERATION SECURITY INITIATIVES

Jewish Federation works to make the places where Jews and our neighbors gather more secure:
  • Helping Jewish organizations:
    • conduct security assessments, build relationships with law enforcement;
    • navigate the landscape to obtain and implement security grants;
  • Facilitating access to security training;
  • Launching an emergency alert system for communal leaders;
  • Advocating with elected leaders to fund nonprofit security grants;
  • Briefing the commuity on evolving antisemitic threats;
  • Increasing access to incident reporting channels. LEARN MORE
     

FEDERATION PLAYED INTEGRAL ROLE  IN STATE SECURITY LAW
 
This week, Governor Murphy signed the state Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) into law, enabling faith and nonprofit organizations in NJ to be more proactive in prioritizing security.
 
Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ, with neighboring Federations, multifaith partners, and legislators, has been integral to the formulation, creation, and expansion of NSGP since 2017, before its inception as a pilot program. 
 
We applaud our elected leaders and thank Governor Murphy for signing the bill into law. READ MORE
 


STATEMENTS

Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ and parent organization, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), offer prayers for Colleyville community, praise for law enforcement, and calls to action for all. Jan. 17 Statements Following Colleyville Crisis

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