Partnership adds security to Jewish community
Citing the possible threat of anti-Semitism, the leaders of Jewish federations in southwestern Connecticut have entered into a new partnership to provide more security resources to increase safety for Jewish programs in the region.
This will “better protect members of the Jewish communities who attend area synagogues, day schools and other facilities in the area,” according to the UJA-JCC Of Greenwich.
This will connect the region to the Secure Community Network, which serves as the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America.
The resources will be available to all synagogues and Jewish groups in town this fall, said Pam Ehrenkranz, CEO of the UJA-JCC of Greenwich. Training will be offered in emergency preparedness, active shooter scenarios and other security programs. Security assessments will also be done.
“This is about preparedness and prevention,” Ehrenkranz told Hearst Connecticut Media. “We don’t want to be reactive. We want to be proactive in making sure we’re all safe.”
The Anti-Defamation League has reported a recent rise in anti-Semitism in America, and Ehrenkranz said pointed to incidents in New York State as well as a swastika found earlier this year at the University of Connecticut.
“There is also tremendous rise of antiSemitism in the social media sphere, which is very concerning because that’s everywhere,” she said. “That’s not a specific town. That’s in your hands, on your phone and in your computer. Wherever you go, it goes with you. … There’s no question it’s the responsibility of Jewish institutions to get trained and to have more awareness of security. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the current state of affairs. We can’t sit idly by.”
The partnership will launch a new regional security program for the members of the federations, which includes both Greenwich and Stamford. And it is connecting the region to national efforts to launch community-based security initiatives.
As part of the program, Michael Shanbrom will be the new full-time regional security adviser for the region. A 20-year veteran of the FBI and a current police commissioner for Woodbridge, Shanbrom will be an “expert adviser” to Jewish institutions such as synagogues and day schools.
UJA-JCC said he will also “establish a system of collaboration, coordination, and communication among organization” and be a liaison to local, state and federal law enforcement.
“The Secure Community Network has been at the forefront of Jewish communal security for many years,” said Diane Sloyer, chief executive officer of the United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien. “With the rise in antiSemitism and increasing threat to our Jewish community and institutions, (we are) pleased to be working with SCN and neighboring federations in the hiring of our first regional security adviser, Mike Shanbrom.”
The SCN is working on communitybased security initiatives with an “all threats, all hazards” approach” when it comes to preparedness, safety, security and resiliency. It will put Greenwich and other involved communities into its national network with direct access to the National Jewish Security Operations Command Center, the SCN’s Duty Desk and its intelligence analysts, the UJA-JCC said.
It will also share best practice security resources and offer support in policies, procedures, physical security, facility assessments, training and incident response, the UJA-JCC said.
“I am excited to hit the ground running and contribute to the safety and security of the greater Southern/Western Connecticut Jewish community,” Shanbrom said in a statement Tuesday. “I hope to use my extensive law enforcement and security background to protect the community from all forms of threats.”
“We are thrilled to have Mike join our federation as the first regional security adviser,” Ehrenkranz said in the statement. “With the dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents and acts of hate over the past several years, Jewish communal security has never been more important. Mike’s tremendous knowledge, expertise, and law enforcement relationships and partnerships will help keep our local community safe and secure.”
Other nearby organizations agreed. “Having a professional regional security adviser on the ground here in Connecticut is the best way to enhance the safety and security of the Jewish community and its institutions in western Connecticut,” said Gary Jones, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut.