In the aftermath of the mass shooting on Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the Milwaukee Jewish Federation continues to act for security and safety at local Jewish schools and institutions.
“The safety and security of our children are our top priority,” said Hannah Rosenthal, MJF president and chief executive officer, on Dec. 18. “In the face of this tragedy, we want to reassure the community and let everyone know that we have been and are working on it.”
As a reflection of the community’s priorities, MJF employs a manager of community properties, who handles security concerns for MJF-owned properties and acts as a security consultant and convener for all Jewish facilities and agencies.
That professional, Ari Friedman, is certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Southeastern Wisconsin Threat Analysis Center to conduct security analysis of facilities and to recommend measures. He works closely with local police departments and the FBI, as well as the Anti-Defamation League and the Secure Community Network.
As part of his work, Friedman not only offers continuing communication and recommendations with all Jewish community organizations, agencies, and synagogues, but also holds occasional workshops on important issues.
This year, he and the Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council offered a training session with a local attorney on Wisconsin’s concealed carry law and a half-day workshop with local law enforcement this fall on a series of practical security measures.
Friedman and Rosenthal stated that the MJF has been continually upgrading security measures and is planning physical changes to entranceways. Moreover, “access protocols” will be reinforced for any visitors, with all MJF buildings requiring entrance identification or positive visual identification.
Finally, training will be required for agency staff members. One such session has already been held on Aug. 28, and future ones are planned.
Friedman will be meeting with representatives of the local Homeland Security office on Jan. 2 to review recommendations for security improvements and to discuss the improvements that are in process, Friedman said on Dec. 24.
“Recognizing that security is one of our greatest responsibilities, we have been and are constantly working to ensure that our facilities are the safest places for our community to learn, pray, and play, and the safest place for our employees to work in and thrive,” said Rosenthal.
Loading ...