Synagogue security for the high holidays

Recently, a New York Supreme Court justice ruled that there was sufficient evidence to try homegrown terrorist, Ahmed Ferhani, for conspiring to bomb a Manhattan synagogue. Ahmed was arrested last year together with co-conspirator, Mohamed Mamdouh, on terrorism charges for plotting to attack a synagogue.

According to the New York District Attorney’s Office, Ferhani and Mamdouh had planned to place an explosive device inside a Manhattan synagogue while disguised as Jews. They were arrested by the NYPD following a seven-month undercover operation in which they purchased various weapons, including an inert grenade, from an undercover officer. The plot bore some resemblance to the 2009 foiled bombing attack by homegrown terrorists against two synagogues in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.

With Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approaching, synagogues need to prepare effectively for the increased security concerns that the High Holidays present. The added security concerns are due, in large part, to the significant symbolic value that the High Holidays represent to Jews worldwide. Furthermore, the increased number of worshippers attending services during the High Holidays may draw the unwanted attention of hatemongers. For example, according to a federal indictment brought in 2005 against homegrown terrorists who had planned to attack synagogues in the Los Angeles area, the would-be attackers considered carrying out the attacks on Yom Kippur “in order to maximize the number of casualties to be inflicted.”

A synagogue can implement various safety and security measures for the High Holidays to make itself less vulnerable to a potential threat. Below are several measures that can be implemented with little or no cost.

Access Control:

Paramount to a synagogue’s safety and security plan is access control. The desire of a synagogue to appear welcoming to the community it serves should be balanced against the need of restricting access to those who may pose a threat.

Fundamental to access control is utilizing one main entrance that is monitored by a security guard. It would be advisable to deploy a security guard who has law enforcement experience since such a person is professionally trained to respond to a threat. It is also prudent to have a congregant present as an usher to assist the guard in screening unfamiliar visitors.

At the synagogue where I attend, I typically meet with the guard shortly before the High Holiday services begin to conduct a walk-through of the premises. This allows the guard to become familiar with the building and its grounds. I also explain the characteristics of the synagogue (Orthodox) so that the guard will better understand how to identity a suspicious visitor. For example, I will point out that it would be out of the ordinary for a woman to enter an Orthodox synagogue carrying a tallis bag; for a person to park a vehicle directly in front of a synagogue once the holiday has begun; or for a person to be handling a cell phone.

I also review lockdown procedures with the guard. This is particularly critical in light of the recent shooting attacks against soft targets, including the yeshiva in Toulouse, France and the Sikh temple in Wisconsin.

Perimeter Control:

Because a threat can also easily exist outside the synagogue, it’s important that measures be taken to control the building’s perimeter. Therefore, it would be advisable that someone from the synagogue who is familiar with the building’s grounds, periodically walk around the property before and during services to check for suspicious objects and vehicles. In addition, heavy shrubs should be trimmed and kept low to the ground, and containers locked or removed, to reduce the potential of someone being able to conceal an explosive device.

Local Law Enforcement:

Because the police are very much aware of the increased security concerns presented by the High Holidays, they are often very willing to allocate additional resources towards protecting synagogues at this time of the year. Therefore, several weeks prior to the start of the High Holidays, I send the local police precinct a schedule of when services will be held, and request increased police patrols during these times.

Emergency Response

Because of the large crowds that typically attend High Holiday services, it would be prudent that a walk-through of the evacuation routes be conducted to ensure that they are not obstructed. In addition, the emergency lighting should be checked to determine that they are working properly. Furthermore, the gabbaim should be familiar with the evacuation plan, including the location of the assembly area. It is also advisable that the gabbaim have immediate access to a cell phone in case of a need to call 911.

Best wishes for a safe and secure New Year.

Neil Cohen, CPP, CFE, is a Federal agent with 25 years of law enforcement experience.

Neil Cohen is president of the Mogen Safety Council, a non-profit organization specializing in improving the safety and security of schools and houses of worship. Mr. Cohen is a federal law enforcement officer, a Certified Protection Professional (CPP), and a designated emergency responder. Mr. Cohen can be reached at MogenSafetyCouncil@Yahoo.Com. For more information about the Mogen Safety Council, please go to WWW.MogenSafetyCouncil.Org