Security for each Jewish federation is a “different animal,” Jim Harnett, director of community-wide security for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland told attendees at the beginning of the four-day Security Director’s Conference and PRT Training.

For years, security has been a factor when planning a local Jewish event because of the rise in anti-Semitic and terror attacks. The High Holy Days are no different.

Jim Hartnett, director of community wide security for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, could not have predicted how timely a bomb threat management workshop would be when he scheduled it six months ago.

It wasn’t your ordinary day at Jewish Federation of Cleveland headquarters. At 9:47 in the morning April 10, (fake) gunfire went off as an assortment of local and federal law enforcement practiced their response to a hypothetical attack.

Jim Hartnett, director of community-wide security for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, said attending the first Secure Community Network Mission to Israel was a valuable experience for him.

Security is a top priority in the Jewish community and it has become a growing concern as anti-Semitic and terror attacks take place around the world. To strengthen security within the local community, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland has acquired a mobile patrol unit.

If a man walks into a building wearing improper attire, such as heavy clothing during the summer, that may indicate he should be watched closely.

We are creating a culture of security in Cleveland.