Local Jewish institutions plan for safe and secure High Holiday season

Are you concerned about ringing in 5785 because of the rash of worrisome headlines over the last year?

Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, understands your concerns, and she and her team are working to create a safe High Holiday season for the entire Pittsburgh Jewish community.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure the safety and security of all of our locations,” Brokos said. “That means working with each of our organizations to make sure that they have appropriate security in place.”

In some cases, that security might be visible: additional police presence or armed guards. Other times, it won’t be as apparent.

Security will be a welcome presence as the number of antisemitic incidents continues to rise following Hamas’ invasion of Israel on Oct. 7. A partial list of attacks against the local Jewish community over the last year includes antisemitic graffiti at Chabad of Squirrel Hill, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and private residences; a Jewish university student being grabbed during protests at the University of Pittsburgh; and several verbal assaults against members of the community in Squirrel Hill.

That doesn’t take into account the anti-Israel encampments at the University of Pittsburgh and anti-Israel protests at Carnegie Mellon University, each including antisemitic chants and signs.

“This year, more than previous years, we really are planning for the potential for some protest activities or disruptors,” Brokos said. “We don’t have any intelligence indicating that, but we have seen a pattern of activity at some of our events where do have protesters show up.”

Brokos said it’s prudent to hope for the best but plan for the worst.

“Some of the additional security measures are because we are planning for the worst, but that’s just what we have to do in the world of security,” she said.

Brokos said that the Federation recently sent an email to all of the municipal police departments with whom it works, providing them with scheduling information for the High Holidays to help them keep a close eye on Jewish organizations.

The Federation also will have conversations with the various congregations and Jewish institutions about the potential for protests and provide suggestions where appropriate.

“A lot of what we do is coordinate with the local police departments to provide additional off-duty police officers, additional patrols, maybe some marked units in some of the parking lots,” Brokos said.

Since Oct. 27, 2018, Brokos said, all the local Jewish buildings have hardened their security and worked to make sure their physical spaces are as secure as possible. Most have access control systems, cameras, the Blue Point Emergency Alert system, additional door locks and even film on windows and glass making them bullet resistant.

“There’s a series of target hardening efforts we’ve done at all of our places,” she said.

But she noted that security is a work in progress that continues to evolve.

“Technology changes, security improves, we’re constantly assessing all of our organizations and trying to make as many enhancements as possible,” Brokos said.

One of the recent evolutions is Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s interest in the community’s security plans.

“That’s the first time we’re briefing a public official on what our plans are,” Brokos said. “That shows a commitment from the City of Pittsburgh and public safety to make sure they are supporting us.”

Gainey, who has been on site immediately following several of the recent attacks on the Jewish community and has spoken with some of the victims said that October is filled with many moments that will move Pittsburgh to pause and reflect.

“Some are cause for celebration, while others are painful reminders of tragedy and loss. Our goal,” he said, “is to continue to move our city towards peace and to ensure the safety of everyone who calls Pittsburgh home.”

Chabad of Squirrel Hill Rabbi Yisroel Altein, whose building was tagged with antisemitic graffiti earlier this year, said he is taking security more seriously than ever before.

“As part of the renovations we’ve just completed, we upgraded the system of how people are let into the building,” he said.

Pittsburgh police, he said, have always kept a watchful eye on attendees and he expects nothing different this year.

And despite what is happening around the world and in Pittsburgh, Altein is confident Chabad of Squirrel Hill “is going to be a safe space” to welcome a good and sweet new year. PJC

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.