08/21/2026

Preparing for the High Holidays: An Update on Community Security

Tags: Federation

One does not need to look hard to see signs of the continued rise in hatred targeting the Jewish community. Seemingly every day, there is another headline that tells a painful story we know too well:

“ATTACKER SHOUTING ‘ALLAHU AKBAR’ STABS JEWISH MAN WITH A SCREWDRIVER IN NYC”

“SAN JOSE POLICE INVESTIGATING POSSIBLE HATE CRIME AFTER 2 JEWISH MEN ATTACKED AT SANTANA ROW”

“MONTREAL POLICE OPEN HATE CRIME INVESTIGATION INTO SUSPECTED ARSON AT KOSHER RESTAURANT”

“TWO BROTHERS INVESTIGATED IN FRANCE ON SUSPICION OF PLANNING ANTISEMITIC ATTACK”

Just last week, Friday evening Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in New York City were disrupted by yet another attack targeting the Jewish community. Shortly after 6 p.m., an individual stormed the bimah, shouted antisemitic slurs, and physically attacked a congregant and the security guard who intervened.  

As Jewish Clevelanders, we are blessed to live in a city that has such strong and dedicated local law enforcement agencies working around the clock to keep us safe. These brave men and women work tirelessly to prevent hate from finding a home in Northeast Ohio. Likewise, we are beyond fortunate to have an added layer of safety throughout our community thanks to Federation’s innovative security provider – JFC Security, LLC – which is has become the industry “gold standard.”  

Launched in 2013, JFC Security now employs a team of more than 50 highly trained, licensed security officers dedicated to safeguarding our community. In addition to patrolling our community through a fleet of mobile security vehicles day and night – seven days a week – JFC Security also provides security at:

• Over 60 synagogues;
• Nine early childhood centers;
• 10 Jewish day school sites; and
• Numerous social service organizations across Greater Cleveland.  

Although this year’s High Holidays may seem far off, JFC Security is already putting plans in place to help its law enforcement partners meet the needs of our community during this important time of year. Some of these preparations will be visible – such as an increased presence of highly trained and experienced officers throughout the community. Other steps will be invisible to the naked eye, including advanced technology systems.  

Let us be perfectly clear: there is no known threat to our community at this time.

That said, we must stay vigilant. Therefore, over the coming weeks, JFC Security will be providing additional safety training sessions for community members – including a special workshop for synagogue volunteers.  

We want to be sure the following free community security training sessions are on your calendar. On August 26 at 7 pm JFC Security leadership and representatives from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Beachwood, University Heights, and Cleveland Heights police departments will lead a “Security Planning Meeting,” providing a threat briefing and discussing timely topics such as situational awareness in public settings and emergency communications. On September 16 at 6:30 pm, the Cleveland bureau of the FBI will lead an “Active Shooter Attack Prevention and Preparedness” training session, where participants will learn the indicators and concerning behaviors to prevent active shooter incidents, as well as life-saving strategies and skills for those who do find themselves involved in an active shooter incident.

We cannot stress enough how essential this training is – it saves lives. We hope you will participate and encourage others to join you. To register for one or both trainings, click here.  

In addition to getting trained, there are other ways you can help keep our community safe as we welcome the new year:

1. If you see something – anything or anyone – that seems out of place, call 9-1-1 immediately. (JFC Security will be made aware of the call by law enforcement.)
2. Be active in the institutions you participate in. If you are concerned about security at your child’s school (whether it be public, private, or university), make your voice heard. Call the institution and express your concerns.
3. If you have questions about security or general concerns about safety in Jewish Cleveland, call JFC Security’s Security Desk at 216-593-2929. Messages are received at all hours.
4. Security and law enforcement have requested that when walking around to and from services, please stay on sidewalks and out of the streets.  

We must not allow unnerving headlines to cause us to withdraw from living engaged Jewish lives. Showing up matters. Together, we strengthen one another. And through security training we can help keep each other safe as we celebrate our Jewish identities in the new year and beyond.

Shabbat Shalom,

Jeffrey J. Wild, board chair
Erika B. Rudin-Luria, president

Learn More: Federation