NEW YORK — Synagogues in the city may be better prepared than ever before this Rosh Hashanah to protect themselves from threats against the Jewish community that increase during the High Holidays.

“There is a growing threat in our community. It can’t paralyze us. We need to move forward as a community, but we need to appropriately protect, and people need to feel secure," says Eric Goldstein, CEO of the UJA Federation.

What You Need To Know

  • The United Jewish Appeal Federation created the Community Security Initiative (CSI) in response to a rise in anti-Semitic crimes

  • The CSI been working with 2,000 synagogues, schools and museums to identify what they need to do to improve their security

  • The volunteer Community Security Service provides volunteers who patrol synagogues and other religious institutions, looking for suspicious activity

That's why the United Jewish Appeal Federation created the Community Security Initiative a year ago.

It was in response to the rise in anti-Semitic crimes in the city and the country, and because of mass shootings at synagogues like the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018.

A team of security directors has been working with 2,000 synagogues, schools, and museums to identify what they need to do to improve their security.

“Figuring out who needed stronger doors, who needed security guards, who needed help applying for grants," said Mitchell Silber, executive director of CSI.

Many synagogues hire their own security for the holidays. And the NYPD typically increases its presence around Jewish houses of worship.

The Community Security Initiative is also teaming up with the volunteer Community Security Service. During the High Holidays, volunteers patrol synagogues and other religious institutions, looking for suspicious activity. 

But with some synagogues holding services outdoors this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, these volunteers had to go through a new round of training to protect worshipers.

“There is a heightened awareness now for our volunteers. What they are doing is so important and you know it can’t happen, God forbid, to their synagogue. We have to be as ready as possible if it does happen," says Evan Bernstein, CEO of Community Security Service.

Threats forcing the city’s Jewish community to change security practices, but not its desire to observe important traditions.

“We have to continue to live our lives as Jews and citizens. While we can’t ignore the threats, we can’t let them interfere with our lives and we need to truly embrace our holiday to the best extent we can,” says Goldstein.