Synagogues Boost Security in Response to Shooting

Synagogues Boost Security in Response to Shooting

Synagogues across the country are reexamining and boosting their security procedures following a deadly shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue during Shabbat services Saturday morning.

Synagogues across the country are reexamining and boosting their security procedures following a deadly shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue during Shabbat services Saturday morning. During the attack, which left 11 dead and six wounded, the gunman allegedly yelled anti-Semitic statements.

In Huntsville, Alabama, the Temple B’nai Sholom safety committee met at their temple on Sunday to reexamine their safety plan. The temple’s president, Ann Vanleeuwen, said that the temple’s long-held security plan is constantly evolving. She said the security committee had Huntsville police officers and firefighters walk through their building to help evaluate their initial safety plan and are prepared to ask for the same assistance again if necessary.

According to Vanleeuwen, the temple has video surveillance inside and outside of the building, as well as locks on all the doors. She said the security committee is developing a plan to make sure the congregation knows how to evacuate in an emergency.

Temple Beth Am in Seattle has a security plan in place that includes protecting their religious school. In order to protect their plan, Rabbi Ruth Zlotnick didn’t divulge specific details, but she said their security measures include guards and a secured perimeter.

“We take it seriously, because every life is priceless, every life is precious,” she said.

In New York, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Brighton and Rochester Police Departments increased patrols around local synagogues and Jewish centers. Law enforcement patrolled the area around Rochester’s Temple Beth El during evening services on Saturday. Temple Beth El’s Executive Director Debbie Zeger said the temple has had security measures in place for many years.

“We already have a very detailed security plan at Temple Beth El,” Zeger said. “We always have security guards on staff if we have an event or service and sometimes in between. Our doors are kept locked and we buzz people in and we have other precautions.”

Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, has been implementing recommended security measures for many years, said Rabbi Mark Miller, senior rabbi. The temple’s worshippers are greeted by helpful security personnel who work with an electronic entry system. The temple also uses special staff training, equipment and security technology.

Despite the anti-Semitic attack on Saturday, Rabbi Eric Berk of Huntsville’s Temple B’nai Sholom said he wants to keep the temple doors open and welcome any who want to learn and worship.

"We ought not to live our lives in fear,” Berk said. “There are, I'd like to believe, more people that accept us than those who hate us.”

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Freedom of Choice

    In today's security landscape, we are witnessing a fundamental transformation in how organizations manage digital evidence. Law enforcement agencies, campus security teams, and large facility operators face increasingly complex challenges with expanding video data, tightening budget constraints and inflexible systems that limit innovation. Read Now

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • Midtown Manhattan Shooting Kills 4, Including NYPD Officer

    Four people were killed, including a NYPD officer, in a midtown Manhattan shooting on Monday. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities