I was in Israel this week, where much of the conversation was about the current climate in America, in particular the wave of more than 100 bomb threats at JCCs across the country and the desecration of Jewish cemeteries.
The purpose of my trip was to represent UJA-Federation at meetings of both the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency, our largest overseas partner, and at the Jewish People Policy Institute, another UJA-supported venture that prepares an annual assessment of the state of the Jewish world. And while the consensus there was that these hateful acts are likely the work of a very small group of people, we must nonetheless remain vigilant to current and potential dangers.
UJA-Federation supports 22 local JCCs — vital anchors of Jewish community — who serve as second homes to people of all ages and backgrounds. Many of my most memorable moments in this role stem from visits to our local JCCs, where you see all around you heartwarming and heroic programs and activities that nourish and sustain body and soul. And so, whether these incidents happened in JCCs in our communities or in distant places, each feels close and deeply personal.
Ever since 9/11, security precautions have become an increasingly regular feature of our lives and a matter of daily diligence for Jewish communal leadership. As a result, while the increase in threats is troubling on many levels, our community is organized and experienced in dealing with the safety of clients, participants, and employees. That said, here are just some of the many actions we’ve taken over the past few months to enhance security:
1. We surveyed our network of nonprofits to help identify any unmet security needs and are currently working with our partners to address those findings.
2. We are working, in particular, with our 22 partner JCCs to ensure they have the support they need during this time, and meet all eligibility requirements for state and federal security funding.
3. We are lobbying the federal government to increase federal funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, and are working with our local Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC-NY) and federal and state agencies to ensure that our most at-risk agencies receive funding.
4. We stood alongside Governor Cuomo on February 23rd as he announced $25 million in new funding to secure Jewish organizations. Our government relations staff is working with the Governor’s Office to ensure that our most vulnerable institutions are awarded this critical funding. (Also, our immediate past Chair, Linda Mirels, is representing UJA as part of a small delegation accompanying Governor Cuomo to Israel this weekend, where he will speak about the current situation.)
5. We support the Secure Community Network (SCN), a nation-wide Federation initiative focused on the safety and security of Jewish institutions and communities across the country. SCN today announced the creation of a National Security Advisory Council, chaired by the former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, to facilitate even greater partnership between the Jewish community and federal, state, and local law enforcement leaders.
6. We have and will continue to convene our network partners for briefings with experts from the Department of Homeland Security, the NYPD Counterterrorism Unit, the Office of Emergency Management, and other law enforcement agencies and security professionals.
Most important, it is the breadth and depth of our network that allows us to leverage essential resources at moments like this.
Flying back from Israel this morning, I reflected on other trips I’ve taken — trips that were about expressing the New York Jewish community’s solidarity with Israel, to provide a measure of comfort in tough times. Whenever we find ourselves threatened or coping with crises, we draw strength from one another. That’s what it means to be part of a global Jewish community; for all our differences, we come together when it matters most.
Shabbat shalom,
Eric