Local and national law enforcement representatives had been talking to Milwaukee-area Jewish organizational officials even before the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel carried a news item Saturday about possible threats to Jewish institutions nationwide.
And Paula Simon, executive director of the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations, said that both before and after the release of that Associated Press story, “there is no reason to believe” that Milwaukee-area Jewry is a specific target “in any way.”
Nevertheless, what Simon termed “general concerns” from law enforcement agencies have inspired recent “conversations about security issues with all Jewish community institutions.”
Simon said that the council is “convinced that all of the institutions are being cautious and careful” and that “we have complete emergency contact information for every Jewish community institution and organization.”
“What we want to make sure we’re doing is coordinating the efforts and controlling the information so misinformation and rumors don’t take on a life of their own,” said Simon Monday.
Simon added that the council is “in regular contact with law enforcement agencies, local and national” and “we’re confident that all law enforcement agencies are responsive to our concerns.”
And Simon advised the community at large to “just be cautious and observant” while at Jewish community facilities.
While specific agencies do not want to discuss specific security measures, some officials said that they are reviewing procedures.
Jay Roth, executive vice president of the Harry & Rose Samson Jewish Community Center, said that “we have been in touch with the police” in the jurisdictions of both the Karl Jewish Community Campus and the JCC’s two camps. “They have assured us they are taking additional looks to make sure everything is OK.”
In addition, “internally, we are monitoring everything closely to make sure all of our facilities are safe,” Roth said.
Marc Cohen, administrator of Congregation Shalom in Fox Point, said that synagogue’s board of trustees “continues to discuss security and options for additional security measures. We continue to remain concerned and on alert in this very challenging time.”
He also reports that synagogue officials have “had a number of discussions” with the Fox Point police department and they “continue to keep each other informed…. They will continue to monitor our facility as they always have.”
Dennis Armstrong, president of Congregation Beth Jehudah, located in the city, said Monday that officials of his synagogue had “some discussions with the Milwaukee Police Department this morning” and that the police were “going to increase patrols around all Jewish institutions.”
He also said the synagogue will be keeping the front door secure and will be telling children not to open that door unless an adult is present.
“Other than that,” said Armstrong, “we’re not really changing anything other than our level of awareness that we’re a constant target for people who hate…. We need to heighten awareness without causing people to be overly alarmed.”
Michael Blumenfeld, executive director of the Wisconsin Jewish Conference, said Monday that the WJC board meeting Sunday in Oshkosh included discussion of security issues.
Representatives of the communities attending — Madison, Manitowoc and Green Bay as well as Milwaukee — all reported that they “feel pretty secure” and have good relationships with local law enforcement officials, Blumenfeld said.
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