STRONGER THAN HATE Portman pushes for funding for security of Jewish buildings

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Cincinnati, sent a letter Oct. 30 to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., asking the Senate to pass the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act and provide appropriate resources to help protect synagogues and other nonprofit institutions that are vulnerable to acts of terrorism, Portman’s office announced in a news release.

In March, the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee approved two amendments to the DHS Authorization Act authored by Portman, though the measure stalled afterward. Portman is calling on bipartisan Senate leadership to prioritize the amendments before the end of the year. The Senator visited the Jewish Community Center in Youngstown Oct. 30 to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community

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following the attacks Oct. 27 at Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh.

“This morning in Youngstown, I met with the leadership of the Jewish Community Center to express my solidarity with them in the face of the worst anti-Semitic incident in American history and to discuss where we go from here to stop anti-Semitism and hatred and to keep the Jewish community safe,” said Portman in the news release.

“I have been working to ensure Jewish facilities across Ohio have access to federal security grants to help improve the safety at their facilities. ... I am calling on the bipartisan leadership of the Senate to complete work this year on the DHS Authorization Act and provide appropriate resources to synagogues and other nonprofits across our country that are vulnerable to acts of terrorism. We need to get this done this year and show that we are doing everything we can to protect synagogues in Ohio and across our country.”

CO-PRESENTED WITH know what happened and that they needed to be on high alert until the Federation knew what it was dealing with. The same day local police were asked to provide high visibility in the community and movable cameras were placed throughout the communities to monitor activity. An emergency alert notification also was sent to leaders in the community through text, voice mails and emails.

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During the security meeting, Hartnett said topics discussed were target hardening, restricting access to buildings, monitoring buildings and a review of security training the Federation can help provide like ALICE active shooter training.

Stuart Deicher, executive director of Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights and Pepepr Pike, said Park always has taken security very seriously. He added the synagogue has always had armed guards at the building and in light of the Pittsburgh shooting, more guards have been added.

“The big takeaway is that while Federation is there to help, we also have to get our membership involved and the ‘see something, say something’ is more important than ever,” he said.

After the meeting, Muriel Weber, who chairs the security committee at Oheb Zedek-Cedar Sinai Synagogue in Lyndhurst, said there’s more enhancements to be made internally at her synagogue. The synagogue has security options in place, but Weber said it’s a continuous process and they’re looking at what can be added in terms of safety.

“We all have to make sure we’re prepared,” she said. “We are always looking at enhancing what we do internally. The whole focus in general is continually review what we’re doing as far as procedures, equipment, training.”

Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple Executive Director Steve Borstein said security was increased at the Beachwood temple last weekend, but Borstein said he’s unsure if its something that can carry on for a long period of time. However, the temple’s security has been assessed by Beachwood police and the Federation and they feel it’s “as good as it can be.”

“We’re not doing anything outside of paying closer attention to everything that’s going on,” Borstein said. “I think (the meeting) was more of a discussion on how local police and the Federation is really on top of everything and all the things they are currently doing.”

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