On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey  Security Initiatives hosted Stop the Bleed® trainings for interfaith leaders. Stop the Bleed® is a national awareness campaign created to empower bystanders to act in life-threatening bleeding emergencies. The program trains and equips individuals to help control severe bleeding, which is a leading cause of preventable death after injury.

The event was held at Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ, in partnership with Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), and Hackensack Meridian Health. In total, over 30 religious leaders of different faiths were trained at the events. 

Before delving into the trainings, Amy Keller, Director of Security Initiatives and External Affairs at Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, paused to speak directly to the crowd, not just to introduce the session, but to underscore a powerful truth: training one person can save many lives.

She shared the heartbreaking story of the recent shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. Among the victims was a young girl who had been shot in the head. In her moment of unimaginable pain, she didn’t cry out or panic; she simply asked a stranger, “Please, just hold my hand.”

Keller let that moment settle in. “Let it sink in,” she said. “Simple acts can save a life.”

That’s the heart of this training. Everyone—regardless of background or experience—can do something to help. Whether it’s applying a tourniquet, packing a wound, or simply offering a steady hand, these small, human actions can make the difference between life and death.

Stop the Bleed® training empowers participants with the knowledge and confidence to act quickly, reduce harm, and enhance survivability. Because in a crisis, it’s not just about what you know, it’s about being ready to do something that matters.

At the events, NJOHSP, in cooperation with its Interfaith Advisory Council, distributed Bleeding Control Kits to houses of worship. The kits were purchased with federal preparedness grant funds awarded to the State of New Jersey by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Large public gatherings, such as houses of worship, can be targets for violence. A person with severe bleeding can lose their life in just a few minutes – those nearest are in the best position to provide immediate care and bleeding control until first responders arrive. The distribution of Bleeding Control Kits to houses of worship is not a response to any specific threat, but is an effort to improve emergency preparedness across New Jersey and save lives.

Nurse Tracy Nerney, BS, MMBA, RN led the session, demonstrating to participants how to apply a tourniquet, pack a wound, and assess the safety of themselves and victims. She was incredibly engaging, and brought positivity to a troubling topic. One attendee said that the “session was taught in a way that was easy to comprehend.”

Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey is very grateful to have such a great network of multifaith  partners who are dedicated to learning how best to protect their communities. Federation is also grateful to partner with Two River Theater to provide such a beautiful and welcoming space for the event.