The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Jewish Federation hires FBI vet to up security
To address continuing concerns about antisemitic incidents at synagogues and other Jewish institutions, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, as well as its counterpart in southwestern Connecticut, have hired a security adviser to increase the region’s safety and security.
Michael Shanbrom of Woodbridge, a former acting special agent in charge
for the FBI and Woodbridge police commissioner, will begin in the new role in October.
“He’ll be going out and doing assessments of all the organizations and synagogues and … he’ll get around to the kosher restaurants and the cemeteries, as well,” said Judith Alperin, CEO of the Greater New Haven federation. “He’s passionate about security and he’s also passionate about the Jewish community.”
While antisemitic incidents have declined in Connecticut since 2017, from 49 to 24 in 2020, they rose nationwide, from 1,986 in 2017 to 2,107 in 2019, with a 4 percent decrease to 2,024 in 2020, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s audit. Those numbers include harassment, vandalism and assaults.
Further, according to the ADL, nationwide in 2020, “there were 327 reported incidents at Jewish institutions such as synagogues, Jewish community centers and Jewish schools,” an increase of 40 percent, from 234 in 2019.
Alperin said the JCC, headquarters of the Jewish Federation, is continuing to take increased measures to ensure safety.
“We had a recent telephonic bomb threat maybe six weeks ago here at the JCC,” she said. “We had FBI, state and local law enforcement respond, which was great, but we identified … opportunities to strengthen preparedness and response. … It was almost like a really good drill.”
According to new data, Alperin said, “Not only are hate crimes rising in the United States of America but 60 percent are perpetrated against 2 percent of the population, which are the Jews,” she said. “That is alarming.”
Shanbrom’s hiring is through a partnership with the Secure Community Network, which was launched in 2004 by the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Alperin said.
“SCN communicates, coordinates at the highest levels of our government security apparatus,” including the Department of Homeland Security, she said.
Increased vigilance and communication is necessary, Alperin said.
“It’s not unusual that I’ll share information with local law enforcement that they don’t know about,” she said. “We have to be mindful of the environment we live in … and then we need to hold our heads up high and build up communities of engagement.
I think it’s the Jewish Federation’s responsibility to keep our community safe.”
Alperin called Shanbrom “a reasonable and realistic guy. He wants to help us create an open, vibrant, welcoming Jewish community while being as prepared and safe as possible.”
Shanbrom was not made available for an interview because he has not begun his new job, according to the federation. In a press release, he said, “I am excited to hit the ground running and contribute to the safety and security of the greater Southern/Western Connecticut Jewish community. I hope to use my extensive law enforcement and security background to protect the community from all forms of threats.”
Alperin said the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford also has hired a security adviser. “Between the two of them I would say we’re covering 80 to 90 percent of the state,” leaving only Bridgeport-Westport and New London without coverage.
Steve Ginsburg, director of the ADL’s Connecticut region, said, “ADL will be working together with the feds and SCN in providing expertise in working with law enforcement on trends in extremist movements. … We’re in an intelligence mode and a community relations mode, working with all group in our community in keeping themselves safe and keeping others safe.”
The ADL’s antisemitic incident tracker lists each occurrence, including swastika graffiti and slurs aimed at Jews. Interruptions of online video conferences with hate speech also have been recorded.
Rabbi Fred Hyman of the Westville Synagogue in New Haven said Shanbrom will fill an important role.
“I do think it’s necessary because of the overall climate,” he said. “We have seen a spike in antisemitic events. There’s a lot of chatter about targets of Jewish institutions because of the High Holy Days. Unfortunately, I think it’s a necessary move to ensure the safety and security of the community.”
Rosh Hashana, the start of the Jewish new year, begins at sundown Monday.
“We haven’t experienced anything directly as far as terror activities are concerned, but we still have to remain vigilant,” Hyman said.
Rabbi Brian Immerman of Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden said, “I’m still very concerned about the high level of antisemitism that people are experiencing, especially online, including our teenagers.
“And while we feel safe in our building, I feel safer … that we are working as a Jewish community to build these partnerships and relationships,” Immerman said.